WWE Hell in a Cell 2014 Matches: Contests with Biggest Historical Implications

Anytime World Wrestling Entertainment presents one of its huge pay-per-view extravaganzas, the potential exists for major historical implications. Whether it is a championship change, a game-changing performance or the ascension of a Superstar to the top of the WWE mountain, the matches that make up any major event card can alter the course of wrestling history.

Sunday night at Hell in a Cell, there are a handful of matches that could carry such implications.

What are they, and how could they affect WWE as we know it?

Let's take a look. 

Credit: WWE.com

Hell in a Cell: Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins

The biggest story heading into Sunday's event has been the rise of Dean Ambrose to the top of WWE. An unfortunate injury suffered by former Shield teammate Roman Reigns allowed The Unstable Superstar to thrive.

His heated rivalry with Seth Rollins has allowed the young stars to take center stage, resulting in a match with the potential to not only solidify their spots in the main event scene but also earn Match of the Year consideration.

With an outstanding performance, Ambrose could earn himself a sustained run at the top of the card even when Reigns returns to action. As the dark knight of WWE, he is the edgy and unconventional antihero the company has not touted since the days of Steve Austin.

At a time when the show is much more family-friendly than most of the older audience would appreciate, Ambrose is a guy who can placate them.

If he can deliver when the lights are brightest and win over even his staunchest of doubters within WWE management, expect to see The Lunatic Fringe put in the position to be that first real breakout star capable of carrying the company on his shoulders in the same way John Cena has over the last decade.

Credit: WWE.com

Best 2-out-of-3-Falls for the Intercontinental Championship: Dolph Ziggler vs. Cesaro

It seems repetitive to suggest that Sunday could be the night Cesaro finally breaks out, wins the WWE Intercontinental Championship and embarks on a journey to the top of the industry. After all, fans assumed that would be the case when he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and again when he became a "Paul Heyman guy."

Unlike those instances, however, Cesaro has the opportunity to make a name for himself in a WWE lacking legitimate top-level heels. With WWE Creative hinting at a Randy Orton face turn, that leaves only Seth Rollins, Kane and the frequently absent Brock Lesnar as prominent villains.

A Cesaro win could be the beginning of a run that would see The Swiss Superman finally realize his potential and ascend the ladder. A loss, however, would damn him to the midcard for good.

Credit: WWE.com

Divas Championship Match: AJ Lee vs. Paige

Throughout her entire six-year career with WWE, legendary Hall of Famer Trish Stratus captured the women's championship seven times, becoming the most prolific female competitor in the sports-entertainment juggernaut's 50-year history. Mickie James ranks second on the list with six title reigns.

Sunday night, should she defeat AJ Lee, Paige will capture her third Divas Championship in just six months. That statistic is seemingly unfathomable, but that is the scenario facing the young Brit when she enters Dallas' American Airlines Center for Hell in a Cell.

Of course, to do so she will have to knock off a Diva who has three reigns of her own and has rapidly established herself as the face of this generation's Divas roster. 

The fact that Paige has amassed the championship resume she has is both a testament to her talent as a performer and an indictment of WWE Creative and their treatment of championships.