1. Payback opens with Sheamus v. Cesaro. I'd like to see Cesaro pick up the victory, but I think they'll leave the strap with Sheamus for at least one more PPV. Right now the WWE is about *not* giving the WWE Universe what it wants on demand, and what they want right now is Cesaro. Maybe at the next PPV. But this should be a top-notch physical match.
2. Heyman! The man can play a crowd like Dave Mustaine plays the axe. No one in the business can work the mic like Paul Heyman. And working with a Chicago crowd which is always hot certainly amplifies that.
3. The crowd is not happy with Sheamus. It seemed like the WWE was trying to turn Sheamus back into a heel a few months ago, but they failed. If they wanted to do it, this would be the perfect night. Turn Sheamus and Cesaro at the same time. Have Heyman screw Cesaro in favor of Sheamus. But that won't happen.
4. Oh, those European Uppercuts on flying opponents look especially deadly. And that Suplex from the middle rope with a flailing opponent? That is extraordinary!
5. Sheamus with the small-package roll-up to retain his belt. Definitely a top-notch match with brutal physicality. The finish wasn't big like I thought it would be, but it was certainly a twist after how physical the match was. Good stuff.
6. Goldust and Cody v. AxelBack is next. Prediction: the Meatheads--er, AxelBack, that is, picks up the win. I really like Cody and Goldust together, but after the loss, the Brotherhood splits. And I also predict that I will never call them RybAxel.
7. I agree with the commentators: Axel and Ryback have come a long way as a team. That being said, Axel still doesn't have enough personality. Fortunately, Ryback seems to be putting out personality in spades, even if it's insanity.
8. Did Cody botch the moonsault? It almost looked intentional.
9. Ryback hits Shellshocked for the win after countering the Beautiful Disaster. Solid match. Disappointed by the result, but not surprised.
10. And there's the split. Cody blames himself and says, "You need a better tag team partner than me." I expected him to blame Goldy for not making the save. Do we see a buildup to the brothers facing each other at one of the next PPVs?
11. Lana enters doing her runway walk. Is it just me, or does it look like she's walking in such a way as to prevent peeing herself?
12. Patriotism match: Rusev (waving Russian flag) v. Big E (waving American flag). Prediction: They've been pushing Rusev hard since his debut, and Big E is his first real opponent. I think Rusev picks up the win, especially since Big E got the best of him before.
13. Rusev's style reminds me of...Vladimir Kozlov.
14. Oh, that's why. JBL just mentioned that Rusev was trained in Sambo.
15. Wow. Big E with the spear through the ropes! I thought this match would be ponderous, but it's been fast and furious.
16. "Rusev, crush!" Big E taps to the accolade. Rusev wins. Much more exciting match than I would have expected from two heavyweights. And Rusev waves the Russian flag.
17. Ad for the Money in the Bank PPV at the end of the month.
18. Kofi v. Bo Dallas. Ugh. Of course Bo will get the win. Ugh. BTW, Bo, they play hockey "games," not "matches." Duh.
19. Or not. Kane comes out and destroys Kofi, presumably at the orders of Stephanie McMahon, whom Kofi criticized earlier. Wow. But it's good to see Kane in ring attire again. Okay, Kofi. Time for you and Dolph and Sandow to form a stable.
20. And to add insult to injury, here's Bo to say something insipid. Ugh.
21. RVD v. Bad News Barrett is next. I can't see RVD winning this match. He's here now to have solid matches and put over the younger guys, and that's exactly what he'll do. BNB will come out of this with a win and looking good.
22. Barrett's entrance music has really grown on me. And so has Barrett.
23. Whiff on the 5-star Frog Splash! Whiff on the Bullhammer!
24. Barrett whiffs on the Bullhammer and hits the ring post! RVD with the flying DVD over the top rope! And Barrett kicks out!
25. Bullhammer! Bad news for RVD! Barrett retains! Another excellent match. That's what RVD is there for, and that's exactly what they delivered.
26. Brie Bella-Bryan quits rather than be fired or have Daniel Bryan give up his title. Unexpected. And a much better slap from Brie than before. Good stuff! Bryan keeps the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
27. Wyatt v. Cena in a Last Man Standing Match. Prediction: I'm picking Wyatt over Cena after interference from Harper, Rowan, and the Usos (since Cena can't lose clean). Then again, it wouldn't surprise me if Super-Cena prevails. Physical match, but it will be slow with all the counts
28. Wyatt went from down on his back into his spider stance! CREEPY WYATT IS CREEPY!!!
29. Usos and Junior Wyatts take each other out.
30. SUPLEX THROUGH THE TABLE!!! Cena uses the table to get back to his feet.
31. Wyatt uses the steps as a battering ram. And the fans are singing for Bray!!!
32. Cena throws the steps at Wyatt and hits him square! Wyatt gets back up.
33. Sister Abigail! Cena pulls himself up on the barricade.
34. Wyatt into the ringpost. Cena goes to follow up and gets flipped onto the steps.
35. Junior Wyatts come back and assault Cena, Usos to the rescue. Rowan is taken out, one of the Usos runs headfirst into a table. Meanwhile, Wyatt is down, and the ref hasn't been counting.
36. Harper puts himself and one of the Usos through a table with a Suplex from the top rope onto the floor. All the interlopers are out again. Fans are chanting "HOLY $#1+!!!"
37. Wyatt counters the AA, puts Cena through the barricade into the timekeepers area. More fan chants. Cena beats the count.
38. Wyatt puts Cena into the pyro. Cena hits the AA onto an equipment box, tips another box onto him. Wyatt can't answer the count. Cena wins! Very good match. I'll be honest, though I seldom think it helps, I think the interference actually enhanced this match. Cena helps the Usos up the ramp and they celebrate together.
39. Alicia "Whackadoo" Fox challenges Paige for the Diva's Championship. My prediction: As much as I distrust Vince and Creative to make the right decision, I think Paige retains the belt in a quick match. My guess is that Fox will submit.
40. PAIGE!!! Love that entrance music. (If Paige and Sheamus were to have children, they'd glow in the dark!)
41. Paige is surprisingly brutal. She's probably the most talented Diva on the roster right now.
42. Oddly enough, this nutjob gimmick seems to fit Alicia pretty well.
43. Fox's shoulders were down while she had Paige in a submission hold, but the ref didn't count. You'd think these refs would pay attention to those things.
44. Paige hit with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but she kicks out of the pin.
45. Paige with the modified scorpion crosslock--the PTO--for the win to retain! Another surprisingly good Diva's match. But Paige seems to make anyone look good.
46. And Alicia Fox goes freakazoid in the ring and runs off. Night night, crazy girl.
47. Main Event: Shield v. Evolution in a No Hold Barred Six-Man Tag Team Elimination Match. My prediction: Batista is going out early. (I hear the next RAW is his last for a while as he goes off to promote the Marvel "Guardians" movie, so they won't let him look overpowering tonight.) Orton next after a while. And then Hunter Eliminates all three members of the Shield. Not how I'd book it, but I'm not sure Hunter is contractually allowed to lose in three consecutive PPVs. It will be clash, and it may turn out to be the best match of the night.
48. I'll say this: Hunter may be spending time on his ass around the office, but he ain't allowing himself to get flabby. Dayum.
49. This is chaos to begin with. The participants are paired off and they're all over the place. Finally they get into a traditional tag-type match.
50. Ambrose is treating Orton the way Orton usually treats people--the stomping, not giving his opponent any room to breathe.
51. Oh, Dave. The blue doesn't work for you. Stick with black. And shave. Definitely shave.
52. Reigns is treating Hunter like a rag doll.
53. Seth Rollins hit the Three Amigos on Triple H! (Miss you, Eddie! Viva la Raza!)
54. Reigns hits the Superman punch on Batista. Elimination is prevented by Orton. Chaos ensues.
55. Reigns triple-powerbombed through the table. Still no eliminations, though all three members of the Shield are down.
56. Ambrose takes out all three members of Evolution with a flying leap, then Rollins hits Hunter and Orton with a flip out of the ring. Still three-on-two with Reigns recovering on the demolished announce table.
57. Chair shots and a back suplex to Ambrose. Pedigree to Rollins at the top of the ramp.
58. Reigns back in the ring. Batista hits a Spinebuster. Reigns has his vest ripped off. Reigns taking a caning from Orton and Hunter while Batista holds him down over steps in the ring. (Batista has lasted much longer than I though he would.)
59. Reigns hits a Superman punch on Orton out of nowhere! Pays for it though.
60. Ambrose tries to intervene, is put back down. Orton hits the elevated DDT on Reigns.
61. Rollins off the top of the Tron to take out all three members of Evolution! DAYUM!!! Carnage everywhere!
62. Rollins off the top rope, Batista spears him! Batista goes for the Batista Bomb, Reigns hits the spear on Batista! Rollins pins Batista for the elimination!
63. Orton hits Rollins with the RKO, Reigns with the save. Orton tries for another elevated DDT on Rollins, Ambrose hits him with Dirty Deeds on a chair, pins Orton for the elimination! Hunter's on his own!
64. Low blow from Hunter on Ambrose. Superman punch from Reigns! Batista comes back in to spear Reigns before he leaves. Orton is still at ringside, slides a sledge to Triple H.
65. Ambrose hit with the sledge. Rollins knees Hunter in the head! Reigns spears Hunter! Reigns pins Hunter for the victory! Clean sweep! Best match of the night in a night of top-notch matches.
Excellent PPV overall. No weak matches, and the only real disappointment was that Bo got PPV time.
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