WWE TLC 2014: Date, Start Time, Matches, Live Stream, PPV Info

The annual celebration of bent steel and broken wood closes out the pay-per-view calendar as WWE TLC 2014 approaches.

Seth Rollins looks to rob John Cena of his opportunity at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose add furniture to their feud and Luke Harper hopes to fend off Dolph Ziggler in a show that promises to showcase the company's emerging stars. It all begins on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, hosts an event that will lean heavily on gimmick matches.

Every letter of the TLC acronym is represented. WWE even added a Steel Stairs match to the mix for the first time.

On a roster thinned by injury and departures, several up-and-coming Superstars have a chance to show Vince McMahon that they deserve to remain in the spotlight even when Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Sheamus and Roman Reigns make their way back.

In addition to the wrestlers, it's a big show for WWE itself. Now that the WWE Network's month-long free trial is over, the company awaits to see how many folks will stick around for TLC and beyond.

Live Stream, PPV Info

For those who can access it, the WWE Network remains the best way to stream PPV.

Many local cable companies will carry the show, charging the going rate of about $50. Watching TLC via the WWE Network, though, only runs fans $9.99, as WWE has beat into its audience. The price includes a month's worth of access to the network's PPV archive, original specials and weekly editions of both NXT and Main Event.

Viewers can catch all the bruise-inducing spots on the network through Apple TV, Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV, among other devices. Alternatively, one can stream the network on a mobile device or computer via the WWE app. A full list of compatible devices is available here.

The WWE Network isn't available everywhere yet, though. Check WWE.com's FAQ section to view availability by country.

Pre-Show

WWE will offer a peek at what's to come on TLC for free. Head to YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pheed, Pinterest or the WWE app to see the hour-long pre-show.

In addition to interviews, recaps and hype videos aplenty, this lead-in will feature a panel of Superstars past and present discussing the night's biggest matches.

The newly repackaged faction The New Day makes their PPV debut as well. The blue-clad, ultra-positive versions of Big E and Kofi Kingston go up against tag champs Goldust and Stardust. Xavier Woods will be in The New Day's corner. 

The pre-show will get started at 7 p.m. ET.

Matches

• Jack Swagger vs. Rusev (United States Championship)
• Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee (Divas Championship)
• Erick Rowan vs. Big Show (Steel Stairs match)
• Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper (Intercontinental Championship, Ladder match)
• The Usos vs. Damien Mizdow and The Miz (Tag Team Championship)
• Ryback vs. Kane (Chairs match)
• Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt (TLC match)
• Seth Rollins vs. John Cena (Tables match)

Swagger vs. Rusev

It's odd to retrace Rusev's steps with this rivalry that seemed finished, but it should produce some good in-ring action. The two bruisers have good chemistry.

Rusev knocked off Sheamus for the U.S. title. A self-proclaimed "real American" is his first challenger.

The big Russian left Swagger's manager Zeb Colter clutching his leg and needing medical attention. Swagger can get revenge and a second U.S. title win with one twist of Rusev's ankle.

Rusev, though, has yet to know what a pin or submission feels like from the wrong end since joining the main roster. Whether his run continues is one of the key subplots to this clash. 

Nikki vs. AJ

The Divas won't get any toys to play with regardless of the theme of the PPV. Instead, AJ and Nikki likely have to work with a minimal amount of time after weeks of minimal buildup.

It's still not clear why Brie Bella decided to join forces with Nikki in spite of how she has treated her since SummerSlam. Perhaps that's what WWE has in mind to answer here, with Brie having fooled her sister into thinking she was with her.

Fresh off a Diva of the Year Slammy Award, AJ will make her sixth-consecutive PPV appearance. After how little electricity WWE drew from her feud with Paige, it's hard to get pumped for her current rivalry.

Rowan vs. Big Show 

WWE has shone a lot of the spotlight on Rowan since his split from The Wyatt Family.

It's been a surprising run that has included him getting a gimmick where he is a wine-making, guitar-playing genius who just happens to dress like a mechanic who lives in the swamp. Rowan can continue the surprises if he and Big Show can turn this into something memorable.

The two big men's chemistry has been good in their brief encounters so far.

It's hard, though, to imagine how a Steel Stairs match will be high quality. It's in danger of relying too much on the ring steps element.

Ziggler vs. Harper

Many fans expected Ziggler to climb up the card after playing hero for Team Cena at Survivor Series. Perhaps that movement is still coming, but for now he continues to occupy the midcard.

His fans almost don't want him to win here. He's already gotten everything he could out of the Intercontinental Championship. Besides, it hasn't done anything for Harper but get him additional losses.

Because of how well these men work together, the ladder being at the center of this and it being a title bout, this is a show-stealer in the waiting.

The Showoff is known for that kind of thievery during an event, but look for Harper to impress as well. His unexpected agility will allow him to do some jaw-dropping spots during this bout.

The Usos vs. Damien Mizdow and The Miz

What might have just been a fun match with a chance for Mizdow to do more of his mirroring shtick became more personal and intense as of late.

Miz's flirtations with Jimmy Uso's wife, Naomi, has turned the heat up on this feud. It's refreshing that WWE is adding a narrative to this beyond the chase for the titles.

That will elevate this match, unless WWE considers it a low priority and gives it little time. It is, after all, one of the few matches that doesn't involve any tables, ladders or chairs.

Mizdow's tension with The Miz has slowed as of late, so it's not likely we're seeing him break free from the so-called "A-lister" just yet.

Ryback vs. Kane 

Expect brute force, not artistry, here.

A continuation of the Team Cena vs. Team Authority conflict, members of those teams face off in a steel-centered slugfest.

Bashing each other with chairs will be legal. That stipulation doesn't normally lead to an excellent match, though.

Ryback is one of the Superstars who can most improve his stock. Taking a thin story and a gimmick that is typically nothing special and still somehow making a big impression will allow him to continue his redemptive journey out of the cellar of the roster.

Ambrose vs. Wyatt

Their Survivor Series matchup essentially served as an ad for this one. The intensity has since picked up between them, thanks to a broken rocking chair and a crushed trachea.

Ambrose is on a roll, showing himself to be main event worthy at Hell in a Cell and for much of the year on Raw. Wyatt's potential is still plentiful, but he hasn't had a resume like Ambrose's yet.

Some of that has been WWE's odd booking of him. For a monster, he sure gets toppled a lot.

A win for him sets up a third round between them, an even bigger match at the Royal Rumble. There is a lot of dark psychology left to explore with this feud, so it would be wise for WWE to keep this thing rolling.

Rollins vs. Cena

As much hype as Lesnar has earned, this has in many ways been the year of Rollins. He has risen to top-heel status, carries around the Money in the Bank briefcase and has been involved in the last three PPV main events.

With WrestleMania season fast approaching, Rollins can add one big notch to his belt should he cap off the year with a classic against Cena.

The Tables match stipulation could get in his and Cena's way, but expect Mr. Money in the Bank to step up big.

Cena, though, is expected to win. His No. 1 contender spot is on the line. WWE not going with Lesnar vs. Cena III would be a shocker. 

For Rollins and his fellow breakout stars, this is a night of big at-bats. Not all of the stars are going to make the most of those, but watching them all try to hit home runs will be fun to watch.