WWE Payback 2015: Full Match Card Analysis and Predictions

What is so special about the 2015 edition of WWE Payback? I wish I had a strong answer for that, but thanks to the WWE creative team, I don’t.

Payback has taken half of its matches from (Not So) Extreme Rules and looks set to be another one of those pay-per-views where the company completely ignores their fans. The only exciting thing about the show is probably the possibility of seeing all three members of The Shield together under the spotlight once again.

Apart from that, it’s just the Extreme Rules card and the Russian (or Bulgarian for that matter) guy getting buried by Super Cena in an I Quit match. Six matches have been so far announced by the company and we might get one or two last minute additions as well. Let’s forget about the unadvertised matches that WWE might pull off at the show and take a look at the possible winners for the current match card.

Curtis Axel and Damien Sandow vs. The Ascension

It worked once and WWE is going to do it again and again till the fans are tired of it. Yes, I’m talking about Damien Sandow and his stunt double gimmick. WWE recently made Sandow don the Macho Mandow gimmick and has now paired him up with Curtis Axel, who is playing another spoof gimmick.

Altogether, WWE is trying to resurrect the Mega Powers in a ridiculous level. It might be entertaining in the earlier stages, but soon, they are just going to end up as jobbers in the Tag team division.

As far as Ascension is concerned, they are ‘the’ biggest jobbers in the division now. There are no chances of Ascension getting a win here as WWE would not let the newly formed team get a loss.

Prediction: Curtis Axel and Damien Sandow wins

New Day vs. Cesaro and Tyson Kid (Two out of three falls match for Tag Team Championship)

From a wrestling point of view, this match is a mouthwatering prospect. The Internet fan base is high about Tyson Kidd and Cesaro thanks to their impressive in-ring performances. New Day has been showing some excellent outings lately as well. Everything summed up; it would be a solid outing for the tag team division.

Two out of three falls stipulation never ceases to impress and the only thing WWE needs to keep a tab on, is the interferences. Xavier Woods getting overly involved with the match might take away the flow of the superstars. New Day is likely to retain the title as WWE might save the title change for Elimination Chamber.

Prediction: New Day wins

Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus

Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus failed to get the crowd involved at Extreme Rules even with the Kiss My Arse stipulation. They will have no such platform at Payback so it would really be a struggle. Sheamus started off his heel run on a positive note but his momentum has cooled down.

Both the superstars have some solid chemistry between them but the repetition factor is going to haunt them on Sunday. Sheamus is probably going to run for a midcard title soon and he would be given a crucial pay-per-view win before that. Ziggler is going to take the fall this time around and he might not look as strong as he did at Extreme Rules.

Prediction: Sheamus wins

King Barrett vs. Neville

A brawler from Britain, a high flyer from Britain and pay-per-view spotlight; the combination looks promising but then again, there is a certain lack of storyline backup in the match.

The rushed nature of the King of the Ring tournament has not benefitted Barrett at all and if we take away his crown from the whole angle, then there is no motivation for the two superstars to fight here.

Neville has been stealing limelight elsewhere and the only purpose of the match is to put him over in a pay-per-view. Barrett taking a loss will not be good for him so the best option here is a disqualification win for Neville.

Prediction: Neville wins

Bray Wyatt vs. Ryback

This will be an interesting match even though the buildup has been a bit miscued. Ryback is simply pissed off at what Bray is doing and Bray’s motives are cryptic to the core. This lack of backstory might haunt the match just like it haunts most of the other bouts in Payback.

The ‘interesting’ part mentioned earlier comes from the in ring action. Ryback has been booked as a monster in between the ropes and it would be awkward to see him get dominated. The same applies for Bray as well. All these factors make it hard for WWE to pull off a neutral bout between the two.

Ryback is going nowhere with the win so Bray will probably take this one even if it sees some interference from the likes of Luke Harper and Erick Rowan.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt Wins

John Cena vs. Rusev (I Quit Match for US Championship)

We all know how this match is going to end. The Chances of John Cena saying ‘I Quit’ is equal to the chances of Heath Slater winning the WWE championship in 2015. Rusev doing the same would also sound awkward as he has been built up like an untamable monster.

So what happens when two superstars who cannot say ‘I Quit’ meets in an I Quit Match? Cena wins. Lana’s involvement is likely to cost Rusev the match at Payback and the most likely scenario is Lana saying ‘I Quit’ for Rusev once the Bulgarian Brute passes out. The only thing worth looking forward in the match is the way in which WWE lets Cena win.

Prediction: John Cena wins

Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship Match)

WWE is taking a break from all their triple threat matches and will be playing the fatal four-way card at Payback. The inclusion of Dean Ambrose into the WWE championship scene is what gives this match the extra energy. It would be great to see Dean back in a pay-per-view main event and his chemistry with Seth Rollins will stand out.

There is a big chance of any of the three challengers turning at the show as WWE is currently lacking some heels in the main event level. No matter what goes down in the match, Seth Rollins is keeping hold of his title as he still has a score to settle with Brock Lesnar, who will not be back till SummerSlam.

Prediction: Seth Rollins wins