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Just one week after SummerSlam, we are set for the next pay-per-view, WWE Payback. Tonight, a total of three title matches have been added to the card. ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt is set to defend his Universal Championship against Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. Sasha Banks and Bayley will put their WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line in a match against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax.
Lastly, Apollo Crews will look to defend his United States Championship against Bobby Lashley at WWE Payback. In addition to these title matches, there are several interesting bouts that will be a part of the show. Rey Mysterio will team up with Dominik to take on Seth Rollins and Murphy. Keith Lee will lock horns with Randy Orton as he plans to avenge the brutal beatdown that the latter laid on Drew McIntyre last week.
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WWE also confirmed that Big E would square off against Sheamus, and Matt Riddle will lock horns with King Corbin. They added a tag team match between The Riott Squad and The IIconics earlier today.
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In this article, we will take a look at the last-minute rumors that could have a direct or indirect impact on WWE Payback tonight. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#5 Roman Reigns to win the Universal Championship and turn heel at WWE Payback
WWE Superstar Roman Reigns returned to the promotion at SummerSlam 2020. He immediately made his intentions known and will now challenge ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt and former champion Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship at WWE Payback in a triple-threat match. Last Sunday, Roman Reigns returned and brutalized The Fiend and Braun Strowman after their main event bout.
His actions immediately sparked debates about a potential heel turn for The Big Dog. Then, on SmackDown’s go-home show before WWE Payback, WWE showed an alliance between Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. After the show went off the air, Reigns acknowledged that he is the new Paul Heyman guy in WWE.
The latest backstage reports suggest that Roman Reigns will walk out of WWE Payback as the new Universal Champion. Not only that, WWE are reportedly working towards turning Reigns heel on SmackDown. He is expected to have a good title run alongside Paul Heyman and he would be booked as a top heel on the blue brand.
This is Roman Reigns’ first appearance since March. He missed his Championship match back at WrestleMania, and now he is now coming back for the title that he never lost. He will look to reclaim the Universal Championship in a No Holds Barred match at WWE Payback tonight. A heel turn would be massive and is bound to get everyone’s attention.
#4 Sasha Banks and Bayley will lose the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles at WWE Payback
WWE have been building up to a feud between Sasha Banks and Bayley for months now. They have also had a highly entertaining run across all the three brands. However, it now appears that WWE are finally ready to kickstart the much-anticipated feud between the two best friends, and it will all start with a title loss at WWE Payback.
Tonight, Sasha Banks and Bayley will put their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on the line against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. The backstage reports suggest that Banks and Bayley’s tag team title reign will end at WWE Payback. Following that, Banks will finally snap and turn on Bayley since she will be left without any gold.
In the weeks leading up to WWE Payback, the company has subtly hinted at the budding tension between Sasha Banks and Bayley. From brilliantly executed match spots to their backstage interviews, WWE have put in a lot of work in the storytelling this time. And it appears that the most important chapter of this rivalry is about to begin tonight.
#3 Matt Riddle to secure a huge win at WWE Payback
It was previously reported that Vince McMahon was impressed with Matt Riddle's debut on WWE SmackDown and wants to elevate his position on the roster. At WWE Payback, Riddle will lock horns with King Corbin in a singles match. The two have been feuding for a few weeks now, and this could be the end of their rivalry.
The build-up to their WWE Payback match also saw Chad Gable make his return. He would often team up with Corbin and blindside Riddle before attacking The Original Bro. It is possible that he will interfere in the match tonight. However, the backstage reports still suggest that Matt Riddle is going to win the match, and it would kickstart his push on SmackDown.
There have been reports that suggest WWE have big plans in store for Matt Riddle. He has already feuded with AJ Styles and could soon find himself back in the title picture. Moreover, WWE can involve him in important storylines against the top heels of the blue brand. It will be interesting to see how the creative will book Matt Riddle following WWE Payback.
#2 Apollo Crews might lose the United States Championship at WWE Payback
At SummerSlam 2020, Apollo Crews successfully defended his United States Championship against MVP. However, a week later, he is set to put his title on the line once again, although he will be facing Bobby Lashley this time. The latest backstage reports suggest that Apollo Crews will drop his US Title at WWE Payback tonight.
It is important to note that Bobby Lashley will have MVP and Shelton Benjamin by the ringside. Therefore, WWE could have this title change hands without making the current champion look weak. It has been reported that Bobby Lashley is set to get a huge push on the red brand that will eventually end in a feud with Brock Lesnar.
Bobby Lashley reportedly requested Vince McMahon to book a match against Brock Lesnar. He also gained more relevance once he became a part of Hurt Business, led by MVP. The latter has been using his backstage influence to push some of the talented Superstars in WWE who are underutilized on the brand. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Lashley walk out of WWE Payback with the United States Championship.
#1 ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt to turn face and find a new family at WWE Payback
One week ago, ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt defeated Braun Strowman to reclaim his Universal Championship. However, his celebration was cut short by Roman Reigns, who made a shocking return and attacked both The Fiend and Strowman. Following that, WWE confirmed that The Fiend will return put his title on the line at WWE Payback in a triple-threat match.
The latest backstage reports suggest that WWE are now planning to have The Fiend lose his title and turn become a babyface. It appears that Vince McMahon now wants to book The Fiend as the good guy on SmackDown. In addition, there have been reports about Bray Wyatt getting a new family tonight at WWE Payback, and it will include Alexa Bliss and two other returning Superstars.
On SmackDown’s go-home show before WWE Payback, Alexa Bliss teased subtle changes in her character. She is expected to adopt the role of Sister Abigail quite soon. In one way or another, Bliss will be joining The Fiend in the coming weeks. It will be interesting to see how WWE will proceed with such promising storylines.
