10 Best WWE TLC Matches EVER - According To Dave Meltzer

8. CM Punk Vs The Miz Vs Alberto Del Rio (Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2011, ****1/4)

Ryback Seth Rollins
WWE.com

24 hours removed from 2011's edition of the annual Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view, CM Punk opened Monday Night Raw by introducing himself, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan and United States Champion Zack Ryder as the present and future of the organisation beyond the stasis controlled by John Cena, Randy Orton and the rotating parade of their half-heartedly promoted rivals.

Bryan had cashed in his Money In The Bank contract an hour or so after Zack Ryder dethroned Dolph Ziggler and not too long before the 'Straight Edge Superstar' would take down 2011's two best heel nearly-men. Punk's prediction of a new tomorrow was at that point a false dawn, but the signs were there after an unexpectedly excellent triple threat stuntshow capped off an entirely Cena-less supercard.

Early signs of unity between Del Rio and Miz dissolved in predictable fashion, but the story of the match remained Punk's need to to take out both individuals before even standing a chance of retaining his beloved belt.

A thrashing of The Miz with a steel chair set him on his way, but Del Rio took control of a large portion of the match after the millionaire's henchman Ricardo Rodriguez handcuffed him to a ladder. The cuffs played a part in a spectacular conclusion after Rodriguez took the biggest bump of the match, flying off an enormous ladder in the ring through a table on the floor.

Miz had shackled Punk to the middle turnbuckle, but the resourceful Punk unscrewed the rope entirely, racing through the detritus to take out both challengers and grasp his beloved belt.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett