WWE Payback 2015 is just a few days away and it’s set to take place on Sunday night in Baltimore. The event was established in 2013, replacing No Way Out in the June slot of WWE’s pay-per-view calendar. It has been the stage for some of the most epic matches in history, including Triple H vs. Cactus Jack in Hell in a Cell, Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Triple H in Three Stages of Hell Match, and Eddie Guerrero’s WWE Championship win over Brock Lesnar!
The current card may not offer matches of the same multitude of matches, but there are some that deserve the proper amount of excitement. I think there are ample amounts of intrigue in some of the matches, but unless something crazy happens it could be just as generic as Extreme Rules.
Below is the official match card baring any changes, as well as predictions, with an always added sarcasm to the mix.
Axel & Mandow vs. The Ascension (Kickoff Match)
The Ascension’s future seems to be fading faster than a black and white photo recovered from a family heirloom. They originally had showed promise, but now it seems they might not have much of a future in the tag team division. Knowing how much the WWE loves to keep a gimmick running, I think they could give Axel & Mandow the win to see if they can capitalize on the popularity, while turning them into a viable tag team along the way.
Prediction: Axel & Mandow
Naomi and Tamina vs. The Bella Twins
In my opinion, the lack of talent across the Diva Division right now is a big reason why the Bella Twins are relevant. Paige is making movies and A.J. is retired. Until the reinforcements from NXT come up to the main
roster, matches like this will continue to lack in luster. Nikki successfully defended her Championship against Naomi at Extreme Rules and now she has resurrected the A.J. gimmick by way of her new bodyguard, Tamina. Will they just let Tamina wrestle already? I think she could have the same effect as a Havok or Awesome Kong.
The Bella Twins will surely conjure up some twin magic, but Naomi and Tamina could prove to be too hardcore to overcome.
Prediction: Naomi and Tamina
The New Day vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd (Tag Team Championship Match)
These two tag teams had one of the best matches at Extreme Rules and possibly could put on on even better match this time around. Their previous bouts have all been solid. The teams have good chemistry and work an exciting, fast-paced match against each other. Now there is a 2-out of -3 falls stipulation that will likely only fuel the magic that may ensure.
I am personally not a big fan of The New Day, but there are starting to catch on as heels. The WWE universe was a big contributor to their baby face demise as the chants of The New Day Sucks could be heard louder each week.
Cesaro and Kidd have formed a formidable tag team that combines the attributes of strength and agility in a way to keep the audience poised for their next move. At first I wasn’t sold, but with the tag team division starting to pick up some steam, I can definitely see them sticking around for awhile.I can see this one going the full three falls, with some sort of involvement form Xavier and Natalya to keep everyone guessing.
Prediction: The New Day
Bray Wyatt vs. Ryback
This match was added behind the scenes instead of in the ring, but it still has all the momentum to be one of the best matches on the card. Bray is one of their chosen ones, but Ryback seems to be putting it all together. This match is setting up to be the first of many that could actually take us up to SummerSlam.
From a style perspective, there’s a lot to like here. Ryback and Wyatt both employ a hard-hitting style. It’s a safe bet that there will not be a definitive conclusion in this storyline or the match. Bray Wyatt has had high-profile losses to John Cena and The Undertaker over the last 18 months, so it almost seems inevitable
that he will be victorious. How can we buy into the Face of Fear if he offers up nothing to be cared about?
Ryback’s efforts to woo the crowd with his stories of overcoming adversity seem to be gaining as much momentum as Tensai did upon his return. This coupled with a possible Wyatt Family involvement lead to the Face of Fear living up to his gimmick.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt
Wade Barrett vs. Neville
In an exciting match, Neville knocked off Bad News Barrett in his pay-per-view debut, while Barrett won the rematch during the King of the Ring finals. WWE has done little to increase the amount of bad blood between the two, which again questions the creative direction they have in mind for both wrestlers.
That being said, Barrett and Neville have had excellent chemistry together. Neville’s high flying ability gives us the WOW factor and always has the ability to take over a show. Neville really has something special. He’s catapulted his way into the pay-per-view scene just weeks after his making his debut. The time is now
for Neville to takeover.
Prediction: Neville
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
Sheamus lost to Ziggler at Extreme Rules, but the wrong arse was kissed. Dolph Ziggler’s motivation is simple, Sheamus embarrassed him at Extreme Rules and now he wants revenge.
Sheamus looks to assert himself as the companies’ top heel, while showing he has recovered from
his injuries. One rival seeks revenge; the other looks to assert their dominance. They have also had some standout matches together in the past, with this one to have the potential to be the best one yet.
Both these men seem like a good bet for the now-vacated Intercontinental Title and will surely be headed as rivals to the Elimination Chamber. For some reason Britney’s new playmate never seems to catch a break in the ring. This could be another no-show for the show-off!
Prediction: Sheamus
John Cena vs Rusev (United States Championship “I Quit” Match)
Cena’s open challenge for the U.S. Title has consistently been one of the best parts of “Raw,” each week. The suspense and intrigue on who will accept will keep the belt around his waist for an extended period of
time. Rusev and Lana have had their issues in recent weeks, leaving this wide open for Lana to cause Rusev to lose, and possibly even being saved by Superman Cena. Could this spell a jealous Nikki Bella to take action? Just a thought.
Both of these wrestlers are serious competitors and neither seem to be worthy of saying I Quit. It just makes you wonder how they will finish this match.
Prediction: John Cena
Fatal 4-Way (WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match)
In what will inevitably be the match of the night, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton will battle with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line. If you look at the tensions of Orton/Rollins, Reigns/Rollins and of course Ambrose/Rollins, it leaves us all to a bomb that is ready to explode. And to top it all off, Kane has been told that if Rollins doesn’t retain the belt, then he will lose his position as WWE Director of Operations. I can feel the fire of Kane already.
I just hope they do not set us up for a Kane/Rollins feud over the next month or so. Kane’s in ring ability has lost its edge and it is time to move on.
As far as Rollins, I think his rein will continue until at least SummerSlam to set up a Lesnar rematch. The interesting twist could be if the Shield reunites in some form. Could Dean and Roman form their own version of justice? Either way, this match should prove worthy of its main event status!
Prediction: Seth Rollins
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