WWE Survivor Series 2014: Results That Will Have Biggest Impact at TLC

While drastically changing the landscape of WWE programming—Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are now out of power—the Survivor Series show also set up several major matches for next month’s TLC pay-per-view.

The inconclusive ending of the Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt bout—Ambrose got himself disqualified after bringing in various weapons, including a table, to beat down his nemesis—set up their rematch at TLC.

In fact, WWE announced soon after that the two men would square off in Ohio in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match. It’s the first bout announced for the card.

Credit: WWE.com

Granted, the result was rather frustrating—surely a pay-per-view match shouldn’t exist solely to build up another pay-per-view match—but credit to WWE writers: They managed to inject the Wyatt vs. Ambrose feud with some much-needed excitement and intrigue.

The demented, unhinged Ambrose truly looked like he wanted to absolutely destroy his foe, and he will get his chance at the TLC event. For the first time, this program appeared to have some genuine emotion and hatred behind it.

In other news from the midcard, Nikki Bella defeated AJ Lee for the Divas Championship in just 33 seconds. (Brie turned full heel by distracting Lee with a kiss, leading to the star getting dropped by a Rack Attack.)

Presumably Lee will get a rematch at the Quicken Loans Arena—and be able to wrestle a much longer and more competitive match. While her star power may have diminished somewhat over the past few months, the company can’t think so little of her that it allows her embarrassing loss to be the conclusion of this program.   

Credit: WWE.com

Aside from Sting’s grand debut and showdown with Triple H, the big news from the main event was probably Big Show’s heel turn.

The giant KO’d John Cena, shook hands with Triple H and walked out of the match. It was a rather surprising twist, but honestly, Big Show has turned heel and face so frequently throughout his WWE career it’s difficult to care anymore. There’s nowhere new for his character to go.

If someone was going to get the rub out of turning on Cena, it should have been a newer star like Ryback. There’s a lot more potential there, for one thing.

Credit: WWE.com

This was likely WWE setting up a Cena vs. Big Show bout at TLC, which is a decent, if rather unremarkable prospect that seemingly exists only to fill up time before WrestleMania season.

Both guys will try, of course, but it’s been done too many times before to be interesting.  TLC may find itself burdened with a main event match no one is terribly bothered about.

Oh, well. At least we’re not seeing Cena vs. Randy Orton again.