WWE Payback Preview
Rosemont, IL (All State Arena)
June 1, 2014
By: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
WWE is back on PPV tonight with the second annual “Payback” special featuring the culmination of the heated Shield vs. Evolution and Cena vs. Wyatt feuds as well as the fate of Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship being decided.
PRE-SHOW MATCH
Hair vs. Mask Match
Hornswoggle vs. El Torito
This “mini” rivalry will take its next step with a little lucha libre flare courtesy of Torito in a Hair vs. Mask Match. These types of matches are the ultimate in feud ending matches in Mexico and El Torito is no stranger to Mask vs. Mask or Mask vs. Hair matches. In Mexico, under his previous identity of Mascarita Dorada, he took the masks of two other mini stars (both were in multi man cage matches with multiple lucha mini’s masks or hair on the line). Last month Torito defeated Hornswoggle at Extreme Rules in the first ever WeeLC Match. 3MB and Los Matadores are likely be heavily involved in this one as they were last month as well.
WWE Divas Championship
Paige (c) vs. Alicia Fox
Alicia Fox has been on quite a roller coaster over the last few months of not only wins and losses, but in her mood as she has pitched several fits at ringside following losses. Still she defeated Paige in a non title match recently to earn herself a shot at winning the Divas Title for the first time since 2010.
Rusev w/Lana vs. Big E
These two monstrously strong big men will clash at Payback as things have gotten more and more heated over recent weeks between the two, and really ever since Lana began talking trash about Big E via Twitter.
WWE United States Championship
Sheamus (c) vs. Cesaro w/Paul Heyman
Heyman’s new client Cesaro has been on quite the roll since WrestleMania and Sheamus defeated Dean Ambrose in a Battle Royal to win the United States Title following Extreme Rules. Sheamus and Cesaro almost immediately began feuding and went to a draw on an episode of Main Event before Cesaro pinned Sheamus in a Non-Title Match to earn a shot at the belt. The rivalry continues to become more aggressive and this will likely be one of the more physical matches on the card which is saying something.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
Last month Barrett won a tournament to earn a shot at Big E and the IC Title. He made good on that shot pinning Big E for the belt and RVD won a Beat The Clock Challenge recently on RAW to earn his shot at the belt. Barrett will look to give RVD some “Bad News” on his quest to win a seventh Intercontinental Title.
Last Man Standing Match
John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
Since this rivalry began Cena and Wyatt have traded PPV wins and what has already been a violent feud looks to be taken to the next level in a Last Man Standing Match, the rubber match between these heated rivals. Cena defeated Wyatt at WrestleMania but Wyatt responded by manipulating Cena’s emotions into a win for himself inside a Steel Cage at Extreme Rules. Now, one man must incapacitate his opponent to the point of unconsciousness for ten seconds to end this feud. Will this type of match finally see Wyatt expose Cena as the “monster” he claims Cena to be, or will Cena once again overcome the odds.
Falls Count Anywhere Elimination Match
Evolution vs. The Shield
What has already been an exciting rivalry should get even better at Payback when The Shield and Evolution meet once again, but this time it will be Falls Count Anywhere and Elimination Rules! One team must eliminate, via pinfall or submission, every member of the other team and falls will count anywhere in the building! This could end up being one of the wildest matches the WWE has seen in decades.
Plus, the fate of Daniel Bryan’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship reign will be decided. Stephanie McMahon has stated that she will FIRE Daniel’s wife Brie Bella if he does not vacate the championship and hand it over at Payback. Will the injured champion hand over the title or will “The Authority” force him to relinquish it?
WWE’s “Payback” is live on the WWE Network and PPV tonight.
Wrestleview.com will have live coverage starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern (7:00 CT).