WWE Survivor Series 2014: Superstars Who Will Shine in PPV Spotlight

The Survivor Series pay-per-view is typically one of the most important on the WWE calendar. Beginning in 1987, it has been home to some of the most memorable and controversial moments in company history.

It has also been the setting for some breakout performances that elevated young talents to heights they could have never imagined.

Anytime WWE presents a show with such a rich tradition as Survivor Series, there is added pressure on Superstars to shine, to give the brightest and best performances possible to help themselves stand out from the rest of the pack.

This year, with a huge traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team match pitting Team Cena against Team Authority headlining the show, there will be plenty of opportunities for the men and women of WWE to shine in the PPV spotlight. Who will seize the opportunity?

Let's take a look.

Credit: WWE.com

Dolph Ziggler

If the October 27 episode of Raw was any indication, the current WWE intercontinental champion figures to be a key member of Team Cena in the war with the villainous Authority.

It will be the first major pay-per-view main event The Showoff has competed in since TLC in December 2012, and just like that night, expect to see the former heavyweight champion pull out all of the stops to ensure that he shines under the bright spotlight of a WWE PPV.

Is he likely to win the match for his team or even survive the bout? Probably not. But there will be plenty of opportunity for him to make his presence known, especially with stars like Seth Rollins, Randy Orton and Kane providing opposition.

Speaking of Orton...

Credit: WWE.com

Randy Orton

The Viper sent a message loud and clear to The Authority and specifically to Seth Rollins on Monday's Raw when he planted Mr. Money in the Bank with the RKO. What that fleeting moment in time means for the third-generation star's relationship with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and the rest of The Authority is a question unanswered at this point.

Still, the former WWE World Heavyweight champion will play a huge role in the night's proceedings and thus figures to shine bright—perhaps brighter than anyone else on the evening's card.

But which team will he shine for? Will the fans cheer him to close out the show or rain boos down on him? Remember, it was only 16 years ago that a certain electrifying Superstar entered the Survivor Series appearing to be a changed man, only to betray the fans who had sided with him and reveal himself to be aligned with the hated Mr. McMahon.

Could the apparent schism within The Authority be yet another mind game played by those in power at the expense of the fans and top babyfaces in the company?

Only time will tell.

Credit: WWE.com

Dean Ambrose

Just because The Lunatic Fringe lost at Hell in a Cell doesn't mean that WWE Creative will allow him to slip back down the card. He still figures to be heavily featured on the Survivor Series card, with a potential match with Bray Wyatt serving as the co-headliner to the night's Elimination tag team main event.

Ambrose is still the antihero character WWE needs to offset the otherwise family-friendly environment they have created on their shows and is still one of the most popular, most over stars on the roster. He will shine bright as he competes in what should be a singles match against The Reaper of Souls.

Bray Wyatt

The Eater of Worlds shocked fans at Hell in a Cell by getting involved in the night's main event and costing Dean Ambrose his match against Seth Rollins. His explanation? He sees himself in the unstable Superstar.

At Survivor Series, the two are likely to meet in a singles bout that could serve as the emphasis for Wyatt's return to previous excellence both as an character and in-ring performer.

With the lights brightest on pay-per-view, expect to see the third-generation star deliver a performance that fuels both he and his rivalry with Ambrose through the remainder of 2014.