WWE Payback 6-16-13: John Cena Survives Hell

In a match during the Payback Kickoff (Pre-Show), Sheamus O’Shaunessy defeated one-half of Team Rhodes Scholars Damien Sandow. As for the matches for the Pay-Per-View portion of Payback, WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn had retribution on her mind heading into her defense against former BFF AJ Lee; unfortunately, it was not to be because in the end, it was AJ who forced Kaitlyn to submit to her signature submission hold “The Black Widow” to become the WWE Divas Champion for the first time. After the heart-wrenching loss, Kaitlyn was consoled by fellow former WWE Divas Champions Layla El, Natalya Neidhart, and Alicia Fox, thus turning Alicia face. Also, United States Champion and Shield leader Dean Ambrose defended against Kane. In the end, when Kane attempted to hit Ambrose with his signature maneuver “The Chokeslam” through the announcers’ table outside the ring, it was Ambrose who countered by hitting Kane with a DDT and getting back in the ring to beat the referee’s ten count, thus beating Kane and retaining his championship via count-out. Also, Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett was originally scheduled to defend against both The Miz and Fandango in a Triple Threat Match; however, Fandango had suffered an injury during the days leading up to Payback and it was confirmed that he would not be medically cleared in time. Shortly after Fandango’s injury was announced, it was announced that Curtis Axel would be taking Fandango’s spot in the match. As for the match, in the end, while Miz had Barrett locked in his signature submission hold “The Figure Four Leg Lock”, Axel took advantage and pinned Barrett to become the Intercontinental Champion for the first time, the very same championship that his late great father and WWE Hall of Famer “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig held. After the way Axel won the championship, he is going to have to prove himself as Intercontinental Champion. Also, WWE Tag Team Champions and Shield members Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns defended against the unlikely team of Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan. In the end, thanks to some miscommunications between Orton and Bryan, The Shield was able to defeat their opponents and retain their championships. Also, Chris Jericho took on Chicago, Illinois’s own CM Punk (accompanied by Paul Heyman), which was where Payback was taking place, with the WWE Universe completely behind Punk. At one point during the match, Heyman’s attempt at interference seemed to do more harm than good for Punk, which Punk was not too pleased about. Regardless, Punk was still able to beat Jericho by hitting him with his signature maneuver “The Go To Sleep (GTS)” two times. It was a successful return for Punk; later on backstage, Punk made it clear to Heyman that unlike Brock Lesnar and Curtis Axel, he is not his client, he is his friend and Punk wanted Heyman to look at him that way. Also, in the first main event of the night, World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler (accompanied by his girlfriend AJ Lee & Big E Langston) defended against #1 contender Alberto Del Rio (accompanied by his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez). From the very start of the match, Del Rio uncharacteristically targeted Ziggler’s recently concussed head relentlessly. There were even some points throughout the match where Big E got involved, which got him ejected from ringside, and when Ziggler was asked if he wanted to continue the match, which he did. Throughout the match, the WWE Universe started to boo Del Rio and cheer Ziggler. Despite a valiant effort by Ziggler, it was Del Rio who became the new champion after giving a brutal kick to Ziggler’s head to get the pin and the win. After the match, Ziggler was barely able to walk away under his own power. Later on, WWE doctor Michael Sampson said that Ziggler’s condition is unknown at the moment. Finally, in the second main event of the night, WWE Champion John Cena defended against Ryback in a 3 Stages of Hell Match. A 3 Stages of Hell Match is a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match with added stipulations. The first fall of the match was a Lumberjack Match, where 30 superstars surround the ring and whenever the competitors end up outside the ring, it is the lumberjacks’ job to toss them back in the ring. As for the first fall, the lumberjacks ended up doing more than what they were supposed to, which led to Cena leaping of the top ring rope and onto the lumberjacks. This would prove costly for Cena though, as Ryback capitalized and hit Cena with his signature maneuver “Shell Shocked” to get the pin and the 1-2-3 to win the first fall. The second fall was a Tables Match, which meant the only way to win is by putting your opponent through a table, which Cena successfully did to Ryback to tie the match 1-1. This meant that the third fall would happen, which was an Ambulance Match. The only way to win an Ambulance Match is by stuffing your opponent inside the ambulance and closing the ambulance door. In the end, it was Cena who actually delivered his signature maneuver “The Attitude Adjustment” to Ryback, sending him through the top of the roof of the ambulance, thus gaining the victory and retaining his championship. It was later reported on WWE.com that Ryback refused to visit the hospital; he was, however, evaluated by WWE doctors. What would his condition be going into Raw the following night? I would also like to point out that it was announced that Mark Hnery would be making his return on Raw the following night and that Rob Van Dam is back in the WWE and he will be making his first appearance at the upcoming WWE Pay-Per-View event, Money In the Bank.