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2. Team Authority vs Team Cena – Survivor Series 2014
The main event of the 2014 Survivor Series will be remembered for two things: the performance of Dolph Ziggler and the WWE debut of Sting. However, what should also be remembered is the brilliance that played out over the course of this 41-minute elimination match.
There were several story lines in play for this match but the main plot was that of Triple H and his authority. The Game and his cohorts consisting of Jamie Noble, Joey Mercury, Kane, and his own wife, Stephanie McMahon had been running wild through the WWE for the previous 18 months and at Survivor Series their power, via an order by Vince McMahon, was put on the line. A loss for Team Authority would mean the end of their torturous reign and John Cena and his team were hell bent on being the men to make that happen.
Cena brought with him the aforementioned Ziggler along with The Big Show, Luke Harper, and Ryback. Hunter countered with Seth Rollins, Kane, Mark Henry, Erick Rowan, and Rusev. With Triple H and his gang at ringside, the deck was stacked against Team Cena, but they unknowingly had an ace up their sleeve. Just when the team looked down and out, an entrance 20 years in the making took shape as Sting appeared and took out Triple H, giving the win to the baby faces. The Stinger was long rumored to be coming to the WWE as Vince McMahon had tried desperately over the years to reel him in, so it was intensely special sight to see him arrive in a WWE arena.
But what can’t be overlooked on this night was the performance of Ziggler. Down 3 on 1 against Rollins, Kane, and Harper, Dolph would not be denied, kicking out of sure pins on numerous occasions and taking out 2 men double his size. This was one of the biggest nights in Ziggler’s career, and he deserved every bit of it. One of the most consistent, yet underappreciated superstars in the company, Ziggler made his mark on on a massive stage. This, unfortunately, did not escalate Dolph to the main event like it should have, but proved once again just how good The Show-Off is.