Extreme Rules was the prescribed PPV that followed WrestleMania all these years, but in a revamp this year, WWE has pushed forward Payback. Payback is scheduled to happen on May 1st and the match card for the same is shaping up to be a very good one indeed.
The recent episodes of RAW and Smackdown have laid the foundation for a host of feuds and angles that would dominate the proceedings leading up to Payback. While Roman Reigns knows his first challenger, there are many burning questions regarding other top names and the rumored direction WWE has for them.
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This article puts together all the possible matches that could feature on the Payback card for May 1st 2016.
Becky Lynch vs Emma
Becky Lynch put up a valiant effort at WrestleMania 32 only to fall short and eat the pin at the hands of the current WWE Women’s Champion, Charlotte. Now, Becky isn’t expected to be slotted into the title scene and would start a program with a repackaged Emma.
Emma has worked on character down at NXT and the time seems ripe for her to make up for the mistakes that happened during her last main-roster run. This week’s Smackdown saw the seeds for the feud being planted as Emma interrupted a backstage Becky Lynch interview.
Reintroducing Emma as a heel against a lovable face in Becky Lynch seems to be WWE's plan here.
The Dudley Boyz vs Enzo Amore And Big Cass
This week’s RAW saw one of the best promos being cut in quite a while courtesy of Enzo Amore and Big Cass, who roasted the Dudleys and looked every bit the promising talents they’ve been hyped up to be.
Amore and Cass interrupted the Dudleys and would begin their first main roster feud against the tag team legends. The dynamics here as great. On one side you have the veteran heels in the Dudleys, and on the other, you have an insanely gifted and over team in Enzo and Cass.
Hopefully, WWE doesn’t screw this up!
Wyatt Family vs The League Of Nations
The Wyatts and League Of Nations both were directionless post-WrestleMania. So what did WWE do? They pitted the two factions against each other. While this could be a decent feud with the Wyatts finally embracing the babyface roles completely, there is also the chance of the WWE Universe not caring enough about it.
At the end of the day, this feud will work as Sheamus is great as a heel and it would be entertaining TV to see the Bray and his family dissect the LON.
Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn
This was bound to happen someday! Sami Zayn and Kevin Owes are all set to write another chapter in their long and storied rivalry at Payback. The Zayn-Owens match was first rumored to be featured on the WrestleMania card, but WWE saved the one-on-one showdown for the subsequent PPV.
Owens took out Zayn in a backstage attack on RAW recently, that paved the way for a Cesaro return. Zayn, though, avenged the beatdown by costing KO his match on Smackdown. KO was livid and went on to assault a banged up Zayn, whose left hand was all tapped up.
All of this points to KO vs Zayn being a confirmed lock for Payback, which is already being billed as a clear frontrunner for the match of the night.
Chris Jericho vs Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose was given the night off on RAW this week and the Lunatic Fringe returned to WWE TV on Smackdown. Ambrose lost his no holds barred match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania and many have been wondering about WWE’s next big feud for him.
It seems Dean Ambrose would go up against Chris Jericho at Payback, a feud that was originally planned for WrestleMania 32. Chris Jericho is also without an opponent after he was successful in putting AJ Styles away in their feud.
Dean Ambrose vs Chris Jericho sounds like a good match up on paper and the success of it comes down to WWE’s booking.
Charlotte (C) vs Natalya for the WWE Women’s Championship Match
The spotlight is finally entrenched on the new WWE Women’s Championship after months of ups and downs. Charlotte became the first WWE Women’s Champion at WrestleMania (that’s what WWE wants it to be) and it was assumed that Sasha Banks would pursue the belt.
But with WWE slotting Natalya into the picture, Sasha Banks may have to wait. Natalya is expected to put over Charlotte in the feud and the match itself is expected to be a solid one considering the in-ring talent of the two. Charlotte was at commentary during Natalya’s match against Summer Rae on Smackdown, which pretty much confirms the match for Payback.
Roman Reigns (C) vs AJ Styles for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
It's always great when WWE gives the IWC something to cheer about. AJ Styles getting a World title shot maybe WWE's ploy to put Reigns over gradually as a heel and it by the looks of it, Styles ain't winning the title.
But that doesn't mean this feud won't be top notch. The dynamics here are perfect for Reigns to go over as 'The Guy' to beat, as a victory over Styles would certainly draw the heat and credibility towards his reign.
Working a match with a veteran in Styles would help Reigns a lot, and though many would love the Phenomenal one to reign supreme, Reigns is winning this one.
