10 Best Matches From B-Level WWE Pay Per Views
6. The Wyatt Family Vs. The Shield - Elimination Chamber 2014
Even if there were no credible trios to face them, and they went out before they outstayed their welcome as all factions should, it’s a shame the Shield’s run as babyface was truncated. Their 2014 pay-per-view matches were arguably even better than the TV matches with which they forged their reputation.
The pace of the match was ludicrous, exploiting the all-action loophole of the tag team art as well as just about anything that came before it - but it wasn’t mindless. Every high spot reinforced the theme of usurpation. The match was designed to put the Wyatts over the Shield as the most dominant faction in the land, and it was one told through moves.
When Seth Rollins smashed into Luke Harper with an dangerous suicide dive, jaws dropped across the arena. When all 6 foot 5, 275 pounds of Luke Harper dusted off his suicide dive, it was a “HOLY SH*T!” update on a classic wrestling trope. Anything the Shield could do, the Wyatt Family could do better. They emerged victorious after segregating Dean Ambrose and besting his stablemates at their own numbers game after twenty plus minutes of total fury.
They’ve never reached those heights since, and it’s an indictment of the terrible creative to which they’ve been subjected. Holograms, haunted houses, rocking chairs - the Wyatts never looked as terrifying here, and all they did was wrestle in a match that allowed them to wrestle to the very best of their abilities.