Tonight is WWE Payback, but the fans are mostly thinking about two weeks from today, the Elimination Chamber. Yeah, tonight is one major event, and in just two weeks we get another one. Coincidence this is yet another free month of the WWE Network for new subscribers? I think not. Whatever the reason for having two major pay-per-view events in the span of three weeks, safe to say the fans are winners.
Tonight’s lineup seems good. There are some matches which look great, but then others which I’d expect to see on SmackDown.
The Ascension vs. The Meta Powers (Pre-Show)
This one is all fun and games, unless Konnor and Viktor are allowed to win one. This is on the pre-show, which seems to fit here. I would like to see the “Metas” win one, but if this gimmick is destined to be short-lived, then Ascension will pick up the win.
Ryback vs. Bray Wyatt
Meh. This one goes to Bray. He is reuniting the family, and needs a win here. Despite Ryback getting a push and the crowd once again loving him, unfortunately his cries of Feed Me More will this time result in Ryback being fed to Wyatt. A loss for Wyatt would be terrible booking.
The Bella Twins vs. Naomi & Tamina
If I cared at all, I would root for Naomi and Tamina. Suddenly we are to believe the Bellas are faces. Remember a year ago they wanted to kill each other, then turned out to be one giant ploy, then turned out to be forgotten, and… and… I don’t even know where I am going, except to the bathroom, fridge, and possibly out for a CVS run.
The Brass Ring Club vs. The New Day – WWE Tag Team Championship Match, Best 2-of-3 Falls
Now THIS will be very entertaining to watch. I’m finally on board with the New Day gimmick, since the heel turn and subsequent remembering of how to wrestle. Cesaro and Kidd are consistent with their work, and the New Day using the “Freebird Rule” of rotating members will make this very interesting. I expect this be a possible showstealer. I am predicting the New Day will keep the titles due to shenanigans.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
I want this to be a good match. Their match at the last PPV was pretty solid, but a bit sluggish. Ziggler will likely take another beating, since the gimmick Sheamus has now is to be a brute and nothing more than that. I like the gimmick of being a warrior in the ring, and a jerk. I just cannot help but wonder where each one will go after this feud. Ziggler is constantly teased as a titleholder, but is unable to hold onto a belt for long. Sheamus, the same. He can feud with some big guys, likely see something between him and Roman Reigns, but no one really benefits here. I expect Sheamus to earn the win here.
King Barrett vs. Adrian Neville
This one might be a show-stealer. They have a chemistry. Neville is the hot trend right now, and as long as WWE does not burn out the novelty, Neville will have a long career. The other great notion of Neville is how versatile he is and what he brings into the ring. His promos might not be the greatest, but he does his talking in the ring. WWE’s bold move of having him go to the finals of the King of the Ring Tournament suggests they have long term plans, or they just needed someone to push up Barrett. Speaking of whom, I cringe at the thought of King Barrett being handed another heaping bowl of Bad News. Every recent title win resulted in being mocked, buried, or plain ignored. His antics behind the mic was more popular. Barrett, I think can be given a push, but I fear his reign as King Barrett could end up a joke. A win by Neville makes Barrett look weak, while a win by Barrett will be panned as “well, he’s the KOTR, so he WWE has to book him to win.” Sigh.
Rusev vs. John Cena – United States Championship, I Quit Match
Cena never says I quit, unless he has to. Expect Rusev to pull off some form of trickery to force Cena into saying “I quit.” Seriously. If they want to end the perception of Rusev being a monstrous force in the ring, so be it. I just think it is a bad idea. However, the promos suggest Cena has, and never will say “I quit” because he would let down his country, disrespect his fans, blah blah, and blah. So, having Cena lose this contest would raise eyebrows.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match – Fatal Four Way:
Seth Rollins defending against Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Randy Orton
Isn’t nice to see the WWE Championship on television more than three times a year? In the hands of Seth Rollins, it is fantastic. I will say putting Dean Ambrose in this was a brilliant move. Do you realize we have The Shield, together, but individually in this match? Could we see the ultimate swerve with Ambrose, Rollins, and Reigns all reuniting, nWo style, and beating the almighty crap out of Randy Orton?
No. Because Roman Reigns has to look strong.
Ha. No. The fans would love it so much, it would ruin any chance of them being a heel faction again. Reigns at this point would not be able to return back to being the big guy of the group, and Ambrose is so beloved it would diminish his rep to play second fiddle to Seth Rollins. I absolutely bet on some sort of Shield tease, but then Rollins having his ass handed to him. I expect Rollins to walk away from this one, with the championship thanks to some sort of underhanded tactic or capitalizing on some major chaos. It won’t just be the four of them. Big Show could show up, Kane could storm the ring, J&J Security can flop around as a distraction.
This match will live up to the hype. I hope it does. Sure, the tag match and Neville/Barrett will be great matches, but will they actually steal the show? Only if the main event somehow fails to live up to this hype.
WWE Payback has potential, if matches are given the right amount of time to play out. Matches like Wyatt/Ryback will be expectedly meh, while the main event could be flat out awesome. Tune in to the Network and see for yourself.
