WWE Payback 2016 PPV Preview
This Sunday, WWE presents its best booked PPV I can remember in quite some time. Almost every match has had a focus on the weekly TV and has been built well, especially the main event. Let's run down the card.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles
The story of the match has been built around Roman Reigns believing that AJ has enlisted the help of his buddies from Japan, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, to screw Roman out of the title. The story has been built very well, as AJ's stance is that he didn't ask for and doesn't need the help from his former Bullet club partners, as he's a good guy who can win the title on his own.
Of course it would be great if they changed the plan and let AJ win the title, even if its due to outside help to advance that storyline, but i think the most logical finish is a DQ or disputed one where the Bullet Club gets involved and it causes even more issues within that trio, which will lead to an eventual turn. Either way, I don't see them taking the title off Reigns so soon after Mania.
Of course it would be great if they changed the plan and let AJ win the title, even if its due to outside help to advance that storyline, but i think the most logical finish is a DQ or disputed one where the Bullet Club gets involved and it causes even more issues within that trio, which will lead to an eventual turn. Either way, I don't see them taking the title off Reigns so soon after Mania.
It was announced on RAW that we will find out who Vince will decide is the best of his children to run RAW. This story line is admittedly very stupid. I mean very stupid as Vince just fed his son to wolves essentially, by booking him in a Hell in a Cell match with the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, in order to stop him from running the company. But now, after losing, not only has he allowed Shane to run the show every week since, but we are supposed to believe he's just going to give him the company a month later because he's doing such a great job? This is dumb. Bring logic back to wrestling please!!!
WWE Women's Championship
Charlotte vs. Natalya
This new era of women's wrestling is greatly welcomed by many including me, and I know these two will tare the house down and have a great match. Flair will be in Charlotte's corner and Bret Hart will be in Natty's corner, which is a nice bonus given Bret's recent health issues.
I can't but feel a bit bad for Sasha Banks though. She was all set for a big win at Mania, and now she's been put back on the shelf and forced to wait and they have nothing for her in the mean time. They have to figure out how to book more than one women's program at a time.
I can't but feel a bit bad for Sasha Banks though. She was all set for a big win at Mania, and now she's been put back on the shelf and forced to wait and they have nothing for her in the mean time. They have to figure out how to book more than one women's program at a time.
Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho
Essentially, this is supposed to be a number 1 contenders match. Jericho should not be winning these types of high profile matches at this point of his career, but honestly, after he beat AJ at Mania, nothing would surprise me anymore. Ambrose really needs a good win to rehabilitate his mystique, because he's been coming off as goof and a loser lately. Brock squashed him at Mania, and he's lost just about every high profile match he's had in 2016.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
The Miz vs. Cesaro
Honestly, the Miz carrying the IC title takes it down so many notches in prestige that it is ridiculous. The quicker we can get it off him and on to a great performer like Cesaro, the better. Which leads me to believe that these idiots will book Miz to win and this program must continue. Smh.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
I can think of no logical reason this match isn't for the Intercontinental title. This match is my pick for the show stealer and these two will tare the house down and win MOTN. The chemistry they developed working together in ROH will make this a must see and I hope this feud continues for a while because both guys are so great. The video package on RAW was excellent highlighting their past and their journey to the WWE. I hope they give them at least 15.
WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament Final
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady
vs. The Vaudevillains
Enzo and Big Cass have really gotten super over with the Crowd and the crowd in Chicago are going to go nuts for them. The Vaudevillians are good wrestlers, but I don't think its their time. The question is, will the WWE want to book Enzo and Cass vs The New Day this soon and will either act take away the shine from the other. That could be reason to give the win to the Villains and hold hold that other big potential match up for down the road.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
Ziggler will probably kill himself to make the overrated Corbin look good. Sad really. Samoa Joe , Finn Balor, and Nakamura could work circles around him but they called him up.
WWE U.S. Championship
Kalisto vs. Ryback
I just don't get why they even bother. I don't even think Kalsito has been on RAW since Wrestlemania. So why even bother. This belt should be on Miz, an the IC title on Kevin Owens. These two mean jack shit. And this is on the pre show once again.