According to the WWE, we needed two pay per views this month.
Payback was always on schedule, a non-descript PPV name that evokes a theme of revenge. Pro wrestling storylines are usually written about revenge or retaliation. Someone does something to one wrestler and the other is expected to replay. There is very little “turn the other cheek” in pro wrestling, so naming a show “Payback” or “Backlash” is appropriate, if not a little on the nose.
Backlash was for years the PPV after Wrestlemania and it made perfect sense. WWE really doesn’t move into new storylines until May or June in heading towards Summerslam so having a big card full of rematches after Wrestlemania made sense. We’re now in mid-May so Payback feels like a way to finally close the loop on those Wrestlemania feuds and move on.
The main event features three members of The Shield and Randy Orton in a Fatal 4-Way, which leads many to wonder if the three members of the Shield will be facing off against each other at Summerslam, or maybe even at Wrestlemania if WWE can play the slowburn card. While Rollins did insert himself into the Wrestlemania main event, that was a match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. Rollins match at Wrestlemania was Randy Orton, with the feeling that this might be one of the last encounters between those two in the main event. While The New Day fought Kidd and Cesaro in a Kick-Off match at Wrestlemania, it wasn’t exactly a hot feud that’s tumbled into May. The other real Wrestlemania redux is John Cena and Rusev, who desperately need an ending to their story. The “I Quit” match is pretty much the kiss of death against any opponent of John Cena. Cena might tap out from time to time, but he never quits. Rusev needs this more than Cena, but does the United States championship need a strong fighting champion more?
What hangs over this card isn’t so much the matches but my first sentence. WWE decided to randomly book Elimination Chamber at the end of the month. It should be noted that the WWE gave away April and May as free to new subscribers of the WWE Network, so adding Elimination Chamber must have been a snap decision to get more subscribers after some might have canceled after Wrestlemania. It was announced as a WWE Network exclusive, which hopefully doesn’t overshadow another WWE Network exclusive already announced for this week: NXT Takeover, let alone overshadowing Payback.
Payback kickoff starts at 7PM EST on the WWE Network.
PAYBACK 2015 KICKOFF MATCH
AXELMANIA AND MACHO MANDOW VS. THE ASCENSION
WINNERS
Aaron, Shawn, Sean: Axelmania and Macho Mandow
Jeff: The Ascension
THOUGHTS by Sean Garmer: Axelmania has made me laugh from the moment he started that gimmick and I have rooted for him ever since. The same goes for Sandow as Damien Mizdow. Now WWE puts them together as the meta-powers and its like putting the whipped cream on top of an awesome shake. All they need now is to win their first match. I’m pretty sure that’s happening here because neither the WWE or the crowd cares about The Ascension.
THE RYBACK VS. BRAY WYATT
WINNER
Aaron, Shawn, Jeff: Bray Wyatt
Sean: The Ryback
WILL HARPER AND ROWAN RE-UNITE WITH BRAY WYATT
Aaron, Shawn, Sean, Jeff: Yes
THOUGHTS by Shawn Wilken: After suffering a setback from his loss against The Undertaker, Wyatt will bounce back with a convincing win against Ryback. Look out for Erick Rowan and Luke Harper, as the return of the Wyatt Family could be upon us.
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
2 OUT OF 3 FALLS MATCH
CESARO & KIDD VS. THE NEW DAY (c)
FIRST FALL
Aaron, Shawn, Sean, Jeff: The New Day
SECOND FALL
Aaron, Shawn, Sean, Jeff: Cesaro & Kidd
WINNERS
Aaron, Shawn, Sean, Jeff: The New Day
THOUGHTS by Jeff DeHaan: I think WWE wants to explore New Day as heels a little more and the best way to do that would be to have them hold onto the titles. Keep them on top and let Cesaro and Kidd chase for a while.
DOLPH ZIGGLER VS. SHEAMUS
WINNER
Aaron: Dolph Ziggler
Shawn, Sean, Jeff: Sheamus
THOUGHTS by Sean Garmen: We’ve seen these two go at it numerous times throughout the years, but despite that I feel like WWE has done a nice job of keeping this interesting. However, I don’t know that the crowd is responding much to Sheamus other than telling him his mohawk looks stupid (which those people can go suck it.) That’s why I think Sheamus really needs a win because how can you keep saying that these small guys don’t belong in the ring with you and then you don’t beat them when it matters. It is pretty clear these two will be involved in the IC Title Elimination Chamber match in a few weeks. So, each guy having a win a piece is not a bad idea.
KING BARRETT VS. NEVILLE
WINNER
Sean, Jeff: King Barrett
Shawn, Aaron: Neville
THOUGHTS by Aaron Wrotkowski: The King of the Ring was handled in a pretty bizarre manner but I guess it got the point across to give Bad News Barrett a gimmick that wouldn’t get him over as a face. Fans loved to say the “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news” schtick and if he turns babyface for once in his career, he can always go back to being the bearer of Bad News. Neville has impressed in his debut by pulling out his high flying arsenal, but it’s going to be difficult for him to keep the magic happening. With a surprise win against “The King”, it might hurt Barrett’s stock a little, but it keeps Neville on fire. Neville needs to keep that fire going. The King will still rule.
NAOMI & TAMINA SNUKA VS. THE BELLA TWINS
WINNERS
Aaron, Jeff: The Bella Twins
Shawn, Sean: Naomi and Tamina
THOUGHTS by Jeff DeHaan: This isn’t for the divas title so it would make sense for Naomi and Tamina to get the win and keep momentum going, I feel like the Bella twins will manage to squeak by, but may get a beat down after the match.
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
I QUIT MATCH
RUSEV VS. JOHN CENA (c)
WINNER
Aaron: Rusev
Shawn, Sean, Jeff: John Cena
THOUGHTS by Aaron Wrotkowski: I’ve been pretty disappointed since Wrestlemania on how WWE managed to really bungle up this feud. It had the makings of an all-time classic. Hell, why did John Cena wear American warpaint on the PPV poster of Extreme Rules instead of at Mania? Anyway, all signs point to John Cena winning and Lana turning babyface and denouncing her Russian heritage. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that Rusev not only wins the United States championship, but reports are false that Lana is turning face and she instead goes back with Rusev. The great heel manager swerve! Otherwise this is just another John Cena “I Quit” match where we fail to suspend our disbelief of him ever saying the words. I want a defeated John Cena, having failed his country, having to move on in disgust while Rusev has the belt changed into the Russian championship.
PAYBACK 2015 MAIN EVENT
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
FATAL 4-WAY (IF ROLLINS DOES NOT RETAIN, KANE IS FIRED)
DEAN AMBROSE VS. RANDY ORTON VS. ROMAN REIGNS VS. SETH ROLLINS (c)
WINNER
Aaron, Shawn, Sean, Jeff: Seth Rollins
WHO GETS PINNED
Aaron, Shawn: Randy Orton
Sean, Jeff: Dean Ambrose
THOUGHTS by Shawn Wilken: The WWE may have saved this main event with the addition of Dean Ambrose, and it’s amazing what a difference one guy can make. Since the Shield’s split, it was a wonder when Dean Ambrose would be unchained and told to take the ball and roll with it. The following weeks leading up to Payback, Ambrose has been tested and tried and the result was him looking like a million bucks. While I expect Rollins to retain, I look forward to seeing if the Ambrose/Rollins feud is renewed and these two embark on a lengthy battle for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Payback is once again at 7PM EST for the Kickoff. Enjoy!
