Kickoff Match
The Meta Powers (“Macho Mandow” & Axelmania) vs. The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)
What started out as a rivalry between Damien Sandow and Curtis Axel ended up turning into one of the most unlikely duos. Eventually, Axel started referring to himself as Axelmania (a spoof of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s Hulkamania) and Sandow started referring to himself as “Macho Mandow” (a spoof of WWE Hall of Famer “Macho Man” Randy Savage). The Ascension took exception to this and started to target both men. This ended up bringing Mandow and Axelmania together, thus turning Axel face in the process, to stand against The Ascension. Mandow & Axelmania are now referring to themselves as The Meta Powers (a spoof of The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage). In addition to being one of the most entertaining teams, I think that The Meta Powers are also one of the most talented teams and I think that they will prove that at Payback when they beat The Ascension.
Pay-Per-View Matches
The Bella Twins (WWE Divas Champion Nikki & Brie) vs. Naomi & Tamina Snuka
Recently, the WWE Universe has been witnessing a whole new side of Naomi. Frustrated about not getting her opportunity at the WWE Divas Championship, Naomi has been meaner and more aggressive as of late. She has recently waged war with The Bellas and has enlisted the help of her relative-by-marriage, the lean, mean and powerful Tamina Snuka. At Payback, in this war of two families, I think that The Bellas will prove that they still rule the Divas Division when they beat their rivals.
Neville vs. 2015 King of the Ring Bad News Barrett
These two English superstars have developed quite the rivalry as of late. From Neville pulling off one of the biggest upsets by beating Barrett at Extreme Rules to Barrett beating Neville to become the 2015 King of the Ring, it all comes down to these two facing one another in round three at Payback. Recently, Daniel Bryan was forced to relinquish the Intercontinental Championship due to injury; therefore, the one thing that would make this match even better is if Neville and Barrett fought for the vacant championship. At Payback, I think that Neville will once again pull off the upset and defeat Barrett; in addition to that, I hope it is for the Intercontinental Championship.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
Since making his return from injury, Sheamus has been targeting WWE’s underdogs, specifically, Dolph Ziggler. Last month at Extreme Rules, these two rivals faced off in a “Kiss Me Arse Match”, meaning that the loser had to literally kiss the winner’s backside. Despite the fact that Ziggler beat Sheamus, it was Sheamus who attacked Ziggler after the match and stuck Ziggler’s unconscious face into his rear end. At Payback, Ziggler has an opportunity at just that when he faces Sheamus once again. Not only do I think that Ziggler will beat Sheamus again, but I also think that Ziggler will make sure that Sheamus does what he is overdue for and kiss Ziggler’s backside.
2-Out-of-3 Falls WWE Tag Team Championship Match
The New Day (Xavier Woods/Kofi Kingston/Big E) (c) vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
One month ago at Extreme Rules, The New Day stole the WWE Tag Team Championship from Cesaro & Kidd. Despite the fact that it was Kofi & Big E in the match, The New Day has somehow managed to manipulate the system into making all three members the Tag Team Champions, similar to what teams like The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael “P.S.” Hayes, Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy & Buddy “Jack” Roberts) and Demolition (Ax, Smash & Crush) did. This means that any two of the three members of the team can defend the championship. So, the good news for Cesaro & Kidd is that they will get an opportunity to regain the Tag Team Championship at Payback, but the bad news is that they do not know which two members of The New Day it will be against. Regardless, I still think that Cesaro & Kidd will walk out as the new WWE Tag Team Champions.
Ryback vs. Bray Wyatt
In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 31, Bray Wyatt had been sending cryptic messages to an anonymous target. That anonymous target turned out to be The Undertaker. Despite all the mind games by Wyatt, he fell short to The Undertaker in their match at WrestleMania 31. Recently, Wyatt had been sending cryptic messages to yet another anonymous target. This time, the target turned out to be Ryback. At Payback, I think that Wyatt’s mind games will once again fail and he will fall to Ryback.
“I Quit” United States Championship Match
John Cena (c) vs. Rusev
At WrestleMania 31, John Cena beat Rusev for the United States Championship and finally handed Rusev his first pinfall loss on WWE’s main roster. Last month at Extreme Rules, Cena once again conquered Rusev in a Russian Chain Match. At Payback, it will be the final encounter between these two when Cena puts his championship on the line against Rusev in an “I Quit” Match. The rules of an “I Quit” Match are simple; in order to win, you have to force your opponent to utter the words “I Quit”. It should be pointed out that Cena is undefeated in “I Quit” Matches. At Payback, it will be no different when Cena forces Rusev to say “I Quit”.
Fatal 4-Way WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Randy Orton
Recently, there has been some dissension between Authority members Seth Rollins and WWE Director of Operations Kane. Kane stuck it to Rollins by allowing the WWE Universe to vote for who Rollins would defend his championship against at Payback. The options were Roman Reigns, Randy Orton or both Reigns and Orton in a Triple Threat Match. The WWE Universe chose both Reigns and Orton. Kane then took it one step further by putting Rollins in a non-title match against Dean Ambrose with the stipulation being that if Ambrose won, he would be added to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at Payback and it would be turned into a Fatal 4-Way Match, which is exactly what happened. Eventually, Authority leader and WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H addressed the issues between Rollins and Kane. Triple H announced that if Rollins does not walk out of Payback as champion, then Kane will be fired. At Payback, I think that Roman Reigns will end up walking out like he should have at WrestleMania 31 as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
I wonder what will happen with Kane.