12 Worst WWE Pay-Per-Views Without A World Title Match
11. Tables, Ladders, Chairs & Stairs
2014 was a transitional year for WWE, with the ascension of Daniel Bryan foreshadowing an in-ring quality turnover enhanced by Seth Rollins, a revitalised John Cena and future NXT call-ups. But when the company reverted to old habits, dark days briefly reemerged.
The absence of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar from pay-per-view that winter should have forced management to tackle the unique situation with creativity and innovation. Instead, they added steel steps to the tired Tables, Ladders and Chairs show and insisted The Big Show and Erick Rowan work a match around the gimmick.
As with an abysmal Hell In A Cell supershow from earlier that year (more on that later), the stipulations overruled the the conflicts, leading to a weak set of contests saddled with weapons after some embarrassing exposition in the build-up.
John Cena's Number One Contenders tables victory over Seth Rollins was rendered meaningless on television weeks later after an Authority-driven insertion of 'The Architect' into the Royal Rumble main event, Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose contested the worst main event of the year in a TLC show-closer, and Ryback and Kane's Chairs match belongs in the same waste disposal unite as the aforementioned Stairs affair.