Why WWE Survivor Series 2014 Was So Exciting

WWE Survivor Series 2014 featured many great moments in its main event. From betrayals and a sad John Cena to a spirited Dolph Ziggler battle and a Sting debut, it had it all.

This morality play took place in St. Louis, Missouri – a place near and dear to my heart. It featured stakes that, albeit hokey in reality, were altogether delivered compellingly. 

The Story

For context, it featured The Authority, a conglomerate of self-serving individuals within a capitalist structure seeking to pull the strings. Their leader was Seth Rollins, backed by the heads, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Against them were workers, led by John Cena, who sought to end the devious machinations they’d employed for years at this point. 

The consequences of this match were dire. If Cena’s group lost, every team member would be absolved of their duties. Should The Authority fall, Triple H and Stephanie’s positions were to diminish to small desk jobs.

The fates of everyone were on the line at Survivor Series 2014. Something had to give. 

Mark Henry, Bless You

In The Authority’s corner was an eager Mark Henry. Being hyped up by Triple H, Henry became a bull snorting fire and ready to charge. 

In John Cena’s corner, Big Show stood—towering and waiting, readying his fist. Henry approached, and giants neared. A punch from Big Show laid Henry out cold.

A single pinfall and he was no more. Thus happens the funniest part of the match. Additionally, this set the stage for what was to come with how Big Show could change the trajectory of this story in an instant. 

The Fall of Rusev

In the early half of the match, Team Authority did their damage on Team Cena’s Dolph Ziggler. These wounds increased throughout the match. In particular, some of this damage by the Bulgarian Rusev wore tighter around the flesh of the smaller member of Cena’s squadron.

Rusev attacked so viciously that Ziggler seemed to head towards being early on the outs with the action. No remorse, no relenting. Undoubtedly on a high after eliminating Ryback earlier with a jumping savate kick, he figured the less bulkier Ziggler would be a walk in the park.

Vision fogged and hazed by hubris, Rusev sprawled his blonde victim on the commentary desk. Taking flight for a devastating splash, his waxen wings melted off; Ziggler rolled off the desk and Rusev plummeted to doom. Planted on the ground, Rusev was counted out and eliminated.

A Wyatt Reunion

Periodically throughout the match, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper crossed paths. Notoriously members of the Wyatt Family, this pair had no love lost.

Bray Wyatt’s former heavies collided like giants on mountains. They fought with glee, almost playful had it not been for the ill intent wished on either.

Rowan’s agility shone here, compared to his usual brutish style as he lobbed at his brother-in-arms, at one point landing a sick leaping sidekick. Unfortunately for him, Harper’s iron had long been tampered with his signature prowess. Though the story between them had yet to finish, this battle ended with Harper’s feared discus lariat.

Reunion is over, and catastrophe is around the corner. Survivor Series 2014 was but a pitstop.

Dolph Ziggler, Ziggling

At this juncture in the match, John Cena and Dolph Ziggler were so knackered by the action that the indomitable Big Show loomed as the last great hope, but his shadow of betrayals stretched even farther beyond his visage. The man has the moral integrity of Benedict Arnold.

Cena, expecting Show to have his back, gathered himself for respite. With but a turn, Big Show decked him with his patented Knockout Punch. Shaking hands with Triple H, Big Show left the ring, leaving the vulture Rollins to pick at his new meal for the pinfall.

Upon realization of his situation, Cena’s sadness washed away the hope he had to defend everyone’s jobs. It was down to Ziggler now.

Everyone counted the ramen-noodle-haired wrestler out. Yet, he persevered through Kane and Luke Harper, despite their overwhelming size. This Ziggler didn’t seem like he’d make it but some spirit beyond human limitations swelled inside him like some flame fed by fuel and aerosol.

Seth Rollins couldn’t even keep him down, and he was the fresher man with the equal ability of Ziggler. In their careers, they’ve brought out the best in each other and this is no exception. 

In this closing stretch, Dolph Ziggler temporarily became the best babyface wrestler to exist. Popeye had spinach. Sonic the Hedgehog had the Chaos Emeralds.

Mario had the Power Star. The Costco Guys currently have the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

Ziggler? He had the power of the crowd propelling him. If only this momentum could ever have been followed up on.

Sting

Despite Rollins being the sole member left of his team, he still had the numbers game on his side. Rollins’s stooges J&J Security and Triple H saw to that. Yet, Ziggler did not waver, soon standing tall over Rollins.

Infuriated, Triple H entered the ring to batter that which would not die. The head of The Authority took off his jacket, revealing that he was very sweaty. Ridiculously so.

The King of Kings dropped Ziggler with a Pedigree. After dragging Rollins over Ziggler’s body, he called for a crooked referee, Scott Armstrong to call the pin. Seconds away from a three-count, thunder erupted.

The call of a crow followed. Obsidian replaced all that was visible. A figure entered the arena to rapturous applause.

Sting. A once-impossible dream of fans was then a reality. Sting consequently felled Triple H with a Scorpion Deathdrop and moved Ziggler on top of Rollins before departing.

A new referee entered and made the three-count. Against all odds, and hope erased from the board. Team Cena still won. Even without its figure.

Conclusion

It’s been over a decade following this spectacle. As a young adult at the time, I heard all these rumors of Sting finally entering a WWE ring, and I hoped this would be the moment. All the dream matches for a historical wrestling figure finally wrestling in the only promotion I watched at the time.

WWE has a hard time capitalizing on certain moments, even less so now. But, whenever they knew to nail a moment, WWE could swing out of the park. I only wish they followed up with better.

Dolph Ziggler should’ve been a star. Harper and Rowan’s story could have had more meat. Sting could have gone on a memorable run without petty wars of the past interfering.

Nevertheless, I always return to this match when I think of how great Survivor Series is as an overall WWE event. Matches like the main event of Survivor Series 2014 always bring back those giddy feelings from childhood. Pacing and pulling the trigger.

That’s what makes us believe.