By Jason Powell

Join me tonight for live coverage of the WWE TLC pay-per-view. Plus, Chris Shore and I will be taming up for a member exclusive audio review of the show later tonight. You can listen to all Dot Net audio on the ad-free version of the website by signing up for membership now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

***The following predictions are made with no inside knowledge regarding the match finishes.

C.M. Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. The Miz in a Triple Threat TLC match for the WWE Championship: They showed us that Punk could fall victim to the numbers game during their segment on Monday's Raw. Thus, I just hope that the heels don't abandon the numbers game too early in the match. You just know they're going to turn on one another at some point, but hopefully they take the time to sell the numbers game story for a portion of the match. I don't see any reason for a title change at this point.

Prediction: C.M. Punk retains the WWE Championship.

Mark Henry vs. Big Show in a chairs match for the World Hvt. Championship. This would appear to be be the blowoff match to this pleasant surprise of a feud. WWE has scared me a bit lately by not making Henry look as dominant as he has in the past. I am concerned that they'll go with a title change even though I feel they should keep Henry strong and wearing gold until WrestleMania 28. I hope I'm just being paranoid and the powers that be realize that there's no need for a title change.

Prediction: Henry retains the World Hvt. Championship.

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash in a sledgehammer ladder match: Jim Ross predicted that this match could be a match of the night contender. My first question was to question whether his black hat is cutting off the circulation to his brain. While I would be shocked if this topped the TLC match, I could see them exceeding expectations. Nash is out to prove his critics wrong, and Hunter will be motivated to show that he and his longtime friend can deliver a strong match. Plus, they'll be allowed to use every shortcut allowed in today's WWE. Keep in mind that Triple H got a much better match out of The Great Khali than any of us expected. We know Hunter will win the feud heading into his rematch with Undertaker, but I suppose it's possible that they will set up a rematch between these two at the Royal Rumble. Personally, I'd rather see them in the actual Rumble match, so...

Prediction: Triple H wins.

Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T for the Intercontinental Title: As down as I am on Booker T as a color commentator, I am looking forward to seeing his return to the ring. The buildup for the match never kicked into second gear. I expected more from WWE when it came to promoting the return of a legend. I hope we're getting a serious match rather than Booker T comedy that's more about setting up the Spinaroonie than it is about who comes away with the Intercontinental Title. I hope this is just the first match in a series between the two.

Prediction: Rhodes retains, but it leads to a rematch.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder for the U.S. Championship: The story is that John Cena gave up his WWE Championship match to give Ryder shot at the United States Championship. Thus, what better way for Kane to get to Cena than by ruining Ryder's title match by chokeslamming him to either end the match by DQ or doing it behind the ref's back and giving Ryder the win? I don't feel ultra confident in this scenario, but it makes sense to me.

Prediction: Ziggler retains.

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett in a tables match: Orton has been doing good business lately by putting over several heels on the Smackdown roster. Unfortunately, it hasn't done much to boost Barrett's profile. Nevertheless, it is a tables match, so Orton can lose the match without losing much mojo. That said, Barrett won't gain much from winning in Sheamus style (see his WWE Championship win over John Cena), but it beats the alternative from his perspective.

Prediction: Barrett wins and the horrible "Barrett Barrage" talk continues.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: