Wrestlemania was yesterday’s news, and WWE has kicked off a new season of sports entertainment into high gear with Payback. While the Superstar Shake-up has ensured that many arch rivals are now separated from one another, they get to lock horns one last time at Payback 2017.
The first stop after Wrestlemania will also be the last stop for many rivalries and the birthplace of many new feuds if our gut instincts prove right. With only a few hours to go until Payback, we look at the lineup and critically analyse 5 of the most integral components of the same.
#5 First ever Raw & SmackDown Live Women’s Champion (held consecutively)?
Last week, Charlotte had the opportunity to become the first woman to capture both the SmackDown Live and Raw Women’s Championship (not simultaneously), during her match with Naomi. Unfortunately, she failed in her attempt to do so.
Alexa Bliss has the same opportunity when she takes on Raw Women’s Champion Bayley, in just a few hours. Considering that the PPV is happening in Bayley’s hometown of San Jose, California, we won’t be surprised if Alexa Bliss wins. After all, WWE is infamous for making their champions lose at home.
With Bayley as champion, the belt has not felt as important as it did during the Sasha Banks-Charlotte rivalry from last year, an iconic feud in Women’s Wrestling history. While Alexa may not be in the same league as either of those women in terms of in-ring work, her mic skills alone make her a worthy Women’s Champion.
Alternatively, will WWE make Bayley retain the championship so that she can feud with Sasha Banks (who will presumably be playing a heel), over the summer?
#4 What horrors exist in the demented Wyatt house?
Because the championship is not on the line in this strange and rather bizarre contest, we believe that Bray Wyatt will finally get a win on a big stage. However, especially because it’s not a championship match, we are more curious to discover the nature of this crazy match.
We believe it will begin in The House of Horrors and end in the ring, much like the matches with The Broken Hardyz were, during their days in TNA. Will Wyatt's army of sheep-masked men assault The Viper, helping him pick up the win? Or does Randy Orton already have a master plan for victory?
We hope that WWE decides to make this match spooky and not corny. That would just be a bummer.
#3 Seeds of a new feud to be sown?
An interesting point to note, for now, is how WWE doesn't seem to really have a plan for either Finn Balor or The A-Lister. Sure, Finn Balor is undefeated on the main roster so far, but he's just been booked in strange, meaningless matches.
The Miz occupies a prominent role on Raw, but he’s still continuing a SmackDown Live rivalry with Dean Ambrose. This could be the start of something special.
We know that being a ‘guest on Miz TV’ is just another excuse to kickstart a feud. This is a rivalry that could benefit both men, and eventually lead to the return of Balor in his demon avatar, against The Miz. Keep your eyes glued to the pre-show for further developments, for the future.
#2 Is it payback time for Seth Rollins?
As we recently showcased in our ‘Clicks n’ Kicks’ feature, Seth Rollins posted a picture from the time he faced Samoa Joe in the indies, as a kid. Years later, these two men are competing on the big stage, in a major WWE pay-per-view. Both men need the win.
Seth Rollins has been losing momentum, now that he's been removed from the title picture. Samoa Joe has really not lost clean in the main roster, but to be viewed as a serious threat, needs to continue his winning ways. With all due respect to Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho, we see this contest being the best match in the entire card at Payback 2017.
The question is- who goes over in this match?
Also read: 5 Possible finishes for the Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe match at WWE Payback
#1 Will the Roman Empire crumble and fall down?
Braun Strowman is on a streak like never before. Running through his opponents like a freight train, he has been toppling vehicles, breaking rings, and even pushing cruiserweights down 3-foot ramps.
Roman Reigns returns for payback, at Payback. Under no circumstances must Reigns be allowed to win. Strowman has momentum on his side, and for a rookie, is doing some great in-ring work. A loss here would absolutely shatter his entire momentum. We have a feeling that the monster will prevail in this monumental clash.
Stay tuned for some extensive and exclusive Payback coverage!
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