The WTS is married to 1914, and not prepared for the damages from a divorce.
What they want to do is lead a separate life from the 1914 spouse without actual
separation or divorce.
Nice analaogy, I like it.
I suspect that this will be the first step toward de-emphasizing, rather than dropping, 1914. The WTS has been tipping it's hand a bit more obviously lately, telegraphing its upcoming "new light" well in advance.
For example, regarding the "1935 change" in the 5/1/07 WT: A few years back they stopped pointing out the "diminishing number of truly anointed" as a sign that we are in the "last days". They had been pushing that idea so hard in the previous 10-15 years that its sudden absence was very conspicuous - and the 5/1/07 WT confirmed their change in doctrine.
Likewise, I think they will begin a gradual de-emphasis on 1914. The date will never officially go away, it will just stop being so prominent. It would be increasingly difficult to convince potential converts of the earth-shattering importance of a date that occurred a century ago, of which no living humans (very shortly) will have any memory at all.
If I recall correctly, aren't there some SDA groups that still hold that Miller's 1844 was correct <in some manner>, but that date is no longer a cornerstone as it once was? I wouldn't be surprised if, deep in some dark corner of the Bethel library, some lackey has the research assignment of seeing how they wiggled out of their reliance on that date, with the hopes of modifying it for the JWs.