WWE TLC 2014: Matches Most Likely to Steal Show at PPV

The Tables, Ladders, Chairs... and Stairs pay-per-view may not be one of WWE's biggest shows, but there are several matches on the card capable of captivating wrestling fans.

TLC has become known for its gimmick bouts, and while some of them—such as chairs or stairs matches—don't exactly inspire a ton of excitement, others promise to help elevate the Superstars who are involved.

There is no question that the performers are under a lot of pressure entering TLC because of the success of the NXT TakeOver: R Evolution special Thursday, and it will be interesting to see if they can measure up in terms of in-ring work.

Here are three contests on Sunday's TLC card that have all the elements necessary to steal the show on WWE Network.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper

Dolph Ziggler is the type of Superstar capable of putting on a great match with pretty much anyone. He truly shines when he goes up against someone with a comparable skill level, though, and that is precisely what he'll be doing when he takes on Intercontinental champion Luke Harper in a ladder match at TLC.

On the surface, Ziggler and Harper couldn't be more different. The Showoff is small in wrestling terms with a chiseled physique and movie-star good looks. Harper, on the other hand, is an imposing 6'5" with a bushy beard and wild eyes. 

Much like opposites tend to attract, however, Superstars at different ends of the spectrum tend to mesh well in the ring. Harper may not be widely regarded as an elite worker like Ziggler, but few big men can carry a match like he can.

Ziggler and Harper have had some solid matches against each other in recent weeks, but the added element of the ladder will put this one over the top. It plays to Ziggler's strengths, given he can showcase his athleticism, but it works for Harper as well, due to his strength and sadistic tendencies.

Both of these guys have a lot to prove, but that goes double for Ziggler who is attempting to get back into the main event picture. According to Anthony Benigno of WWE.com, wanting to have the match of the night and get the fans behind him is nothing new for Dolph.

"

Nobody works harder than me in the ring, no one steals the show more often and no one gets better reactions for a guy who's not even part of huge storylines. People can pick and choose what they want out of it, but I feel like I'm a modern day Renaissance man of anything you could want me to do...except be six inches taller.

"

On the heels of his memorable performance at Survivor Series, Ziggler is in a position to maintain that momentum. Putting on the best match and winning back the IC title at TLC would certainly help in that regard.

As it turns out, in Harper, he has an ideal opponent to do it with, and the current Intercontinental champion figures to catch some of that rub in the process.

Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt

There is no doubt that Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt are two of the most psychotic and sadistic Superstars in WWE today, which is why their Tables, Ladders and Chairs match at TLC promises to be a brutal affair.

Ambrose and Wyatt have been at odds since the Eater of Worlds interfered in Ambrose's match against Seth Rollins at Hell in a Cell. They went on to face each other at Survivor Series in a fairly nondescript match, but things should be much different this time around.

The Lunatic Fringe tends to excel in the hardcore environment, and the same can be said for Wyatt as well. In fact, the build toward their TLC contest has been entertaining due to the fact that both Superstars haven't been shy about attacking each other and utilizing weapons in the process.

Wyatt seemingly put Ambrose out of commission by slamming a chair into his throat on SmackDown recently, but the Unstable Superstar came back with renewed vim and vigor on Raw.

With TLC approaching, Ambrose declared that he would truly get revenge on his tormentor, according to WWE's Twitter account:

While this particular Tables, Ladders and Chairs match won't have anything suspended above the ring, that clearly isn't the point. Ambrose and Wyatt will do as much damage to each other as they possibly can with the weapons with which they are provided.

Neither man is a conventional wrestler, but TLC will give them the opportunity to be creatively diabolical, and they'll make the most of it.

John Cena vs. Seth Rollins

In what figures to be the main event of TLC, John Cena and Seth Rollins will lock horns in a tables match with Cena's No. 1 contendership for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line.

While a sizable portion of the WWE fanbase is likely tired of seeing Cena in this position on the card, Rollins' inclusion feels fresh. Mr. Money in the Bank has developed into WWE's top heel in terms of full-time Superstars, and headlining a pay-per-view with Cena cements that status.

Realistically, Cena is a safe bet to win this match, so the main focus will be on how Rollins performs regardless of the result. Perhaps there is some pressure on Rollins to live up to expectations, but he seems quite confident in his ability to do so:

Based on what Rollins has done since joining WWE's main roster at the end of 2012, it is easy to see why. Cena may not be the best in-ring worker, but he is capable of having great matches with great wrestlers, and Rollins fits the bill.

Aside from Cena and Rollins, this match also figures to feature some run-ins. Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury are near certainties to feature, with Kane and Big Show potentially showing their faces as well. In order to even the odds, either Randy Orton or Roman Reigns are likely to return and help Cena.

Too much interference can make matches convoluted, but they should add to the chaotic nature of Cena vs. Rollins.

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