WWE TLC 2014: Superstars Who Will Exceed Expectations
It's a difficult time of year to be a WWE Superstar. This Sunday's Tables, Ladders & Chairs is the last pay-per-view before the Road to WrestleMania begins, and, as such, it's a huge opportunity for wrestlers to show they deserve something to work with in the build to the biggest show of the year.
However, with just three weeks of build—and Thursday's hotly anticipated NXT Takeover R-Evolution threatening to steal the spotlight—it'll take a real talent to shine through as a prospect worthy of a WrestleMania program.
That being said, there are plenty of wrestlers on the WWE roster who have the talent, charisma and intangibles to stand out. These are some of the Superstars who will go the extra mile at TLC.
The New Day
Opinion seems split about whether the newly formed team of Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E will last, but based on their first few appearances as a trio, there's plenty of potential here.
It's easier to build up a convincing villain than a wrestler fans can get behind, which makes it all the more important to invest time in talent who can win over an audience. All three members of The New Day have demonstrated they can do just that, and their easy chemistry makes them a compelling team.
Big E, Kingston and Woods are all very charismatic, but, perhaps more importantly, they can also engage a crowd with what they do in the ring. The fast-paced style of Woods and Kingston always gets the people going, but we've also seen Big E's power get the audience on their feet when he's in a program people care about.
The New Day's pre-show bout sees them face off against the very capable team of Gold and Stardust, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them start TLC 2014 with a bang. This is a very talented trio—expect them to make the most of their opportunity to impress.
Erick Rowan
Often dismissed as the third wheel as part of The Wyatt Family, Erick Rowan should be commended for the way he's put his nose to the grindstone and figured himself out as a performer. When he first debuted on the main roster, he looked like a rookie, but he's been impressive in recent weeks.
There's an old-school charm about Rowan that sets him apart from much of the roster, and his size will always be a desirable trait in the wrestling business. It's clear he's not a finished product yet, but he's already demonstrated a desire to learn and progress that will put him in good stead for the future.
The Big Show isn't an ideal opponent for anyone looking to impress at a pay-per-view, but his size will give Rowan plenty to play off. If he can pull off a good match at TLC, he'll have plenty of fans backstage as well as at ringside.
Luke Harper and Dolph Ziggler
It's easy to get overhyped for a Dolph Ziggler match, but this one has "Match of the Year" written all over it. What we've already seen from this pairing has been excellent; with the Ladder match stipulation, we could have a classic on our hands.
With a big man vs. underdog setup that calls to mind the classic Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels matches at WrestleMania X and SummerSlam 1995 and two of the best in-ring competitors on the roster at the moment, fans have many reasons to be excited about this bout.
TLC can sometimes be a throwaway pay-per-view designed to round off the year before WWE gets into WrestleMania mode, but a match like this might set it apart. Both men are on the cusp of something big in their respective careers. Given a suitable amount of time, it might just be a career-defining night for both.
But the reason this one will exceed expectations is because it's about more than Harper and Ziggler—we know what they're capable of. This bout could set the standard for Ladder matches going forward and help the Intercontinental Championship return to its former glory.
The absence of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from television put something of a spotlight on the Intercontinental Championship, but it was Dolph Ziggler's reign that made it mean something again. This Sunday could be the date of the first classic encounter for a thoroughly reinvigorated belt.
Who do you think is set to surprise us all Sunday night? Will The Miz give Mizdow a turn at holding the belts? Will Nikki Bella put on the Match of the Night? Will the commentary team refrain from any bad jokes? Let us know in the comments section below.
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