I'm gonna be honest, up until a couple of hours before the show I was debating whether or not I wanted to do a review for this show as I actually had to keep reminding myself there was a PPV this weekend. This has to be one of the coldest and least talked about PPVs that has happened in quite a while. This show also has some of the most confusing and screwed up booking as the superstar shakeup pretty much made this a co-branded show and also pretty much ruined the outcome of the US Championship match and almost ruined the outcome of the House of Horrors match, but they decided to change it to a non title match. I guess I can do a mini preview for the show as Jason Fastkade and myself weren't able to do our usual pre PPV prediction show this week on The Wrestling Fans Podcast.
The only matches I was really looking forward to going into this show was the women's championship match just because Alexa Bliss is in it and let's face it Alexa bliss is the greatest thing since sliced bread and anyone who thinks different is wrong. The other match that I'm looking forward to, but scared of how it will end is the Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns match as I have loved everything Braun has done since WrestleMania (even though the order of his incredible feats of strength happened in the wrong order). I'm just scared they will have Roman beat him clean when this match should end in a screwy DQ or count out as neither man should be losing clean.
I'm morbidly curious to see how bad this House of Horrors match is and I would like to think it can't get worse than the WrestleMania match, but I'm sure WWE can find a way to make it worse considering they didn't even have plans for what the match was gonna be and had to rely on a fan survey to give them ideas. I said it at WrestleMania and I'll say it now that I hope they bring in an actual Sister Abigail character as Bray's new manager, with Bray now on Raw and clearly miles away from the title picture he is going to need something new and interesting to get people to care about him as these spooky promos just aren't cutting it anymore especially since his character says a lot, but ends up losing every feud so we have no reason to care about what he says.
One last thing that will be interesting is seeing what happens with Matt Hardy during this show as he has showed more signs of being Broken on Raw this past week than he has since their debut. With WWE working out a deal with Impact Wrestling we could see full Broken Matt as early as Raw Monday night.
As far as the US Championship, Samoa Joe vs Seth Rollins, Cruiserweight Championship, Miz TV, & Pre-Show Tag Match they are just on the card to fill out the four hours and don't interest me too much.
I do love what Owens is doing over on Smackdown, but the outcome of the match is predictable since Jericho is leaving to go on tour with Fozzy and AJ is already in line to face KO at the next Smackdown PPV Backlash.
Joe vs Rollins should be a good match and could be the best match on the show, but the feud hasn't excited me too much.
I do love what Owens is doing over on Smackdown, but the outcome of the match is predictable since Jericho is leaving to go on tour with Fozzy and AJ is already in line to face KO at the next Smackdown PPV Backlash.
Joe vs Rollins should be a good match and could be the best match on the show, but the feud hasn't excited me too much.
The Cruiserweight division is what it is and although the match will be really good between Neville and Aries it still won't get me interested enough to watch 205 Live.
The Gallows/Anderson vs Enzo/Cass match has been done so much I could care less about either team.
I was surprised to see we would be having Miz TV as I was sure Miz would be in an Intercontinental title match against Ambrose on this show, but I guess not. I don't know what they are doing with Balor as it feels like he is lost in the shuffle and I guess he was waiting for the Bray vs Orton program to end so he can be in a program with Wyatt. I could see ending in either Miz getting his ass kicked around the ring by Balor or it leading to a tag match with Balor & Ambrose vs Miz & a partner of his choosing.
Match predictions:
Bray Wyatt def Randy Orton in House of Horrors (I'll hope they give Bray a win since it's non title)
Kevin Owens def Chris Jericho to retain IC Championship
Braun Strowman def Roman Reigns by countout
Samoa Joe def Seth Rollins
Cesaro/Sheamus def Hardy Boyz (this causes Matt to be completely Broken)
Alexa Bliss def Bayley (My girl becomes first to win both Raw & SD women's Championship)
Neville def Austin Aries after TJP helps Neville get the win
Enzo/Big Cass def Anderson/Gallows
I was surprised to see we would be having Miz TV as I was sure Miz would be in an Intercontinental title match against Ambrose on this show, but I guess not. I don't know what they are doing with Balor as it feels like he is lost in the shuffle and I guess he was waiting for the Bray vs Orton program to end so he can be in a program with Wyatt. I could see ending in either Miz getting his ass kicked around the ring by Balor or it leading to a tag match with Balor & Ambrose vs Miz & a partner of his choosing.
Match predictions:
Bray Wyatt def Randy Orton in House of Horrors (I'll hope they give Bray a win since it's non title)
Kevin Owens def Chris Jericho to retain IC Championship
Braun Strowman def Roman Reigns by countout
Samoa Joe def Seth Rollins
Cesaro/Sheamus def Hardy Boyz (this causes Matt to be completely Broken)
Alexa Bliss def Bayley (My girl becomes first to win both Raw & SD women's Championship)
Neville def Austin Aries after TJP helps Neville get the win
Enzo/Big Cass def Anderson/Gallows
With all the preview and predictions out of the way lets get to the review.
WWE Payback 2017
Brand: Raw
San Jose, CA
SAP Center
4/30/17
Brand: Raw
San Jose, CA
SAP Center
4/30/17
Kickoff Match
Enzo Amore & Big Cass def Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows via Pinfall
This was your basic kickoff tag match with Gallows & Anderson dominating Enzo for most of the match and then Enzo got the hot tag to Big Cass for a few minutes until Enzo tagged himself back in. There was a couple of spots where Enzo tried to make a tag, but Gallows/Anderson would intercept or knock Big Cass off the apron. The finish came when Gallows/Anderson were going for the Magic Killer, but Big Cass hit a big boot on Gallows and Enzo rolled up Anderson for the win. This is the reason why it's hard to get interested in Gallows & Anderson because every time they start looking dominant and get on a roll they end up slipping up and getting beat. They should be dominate ass kickers when they are more like complete jokes. Rating: **1/4
Enzo Amore & Big Cass def Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows via Pinfall
This was your basic kickoff tag match with Gallows & Anderson dominating Enzo for most of the match and then Enzo got the hot tag to Big Cass for a few minutes until Enzo tagged himself back in. There was a couple of spots where Enzo tried to make a tag, but Gallows/Anderson would intercept or knock Big Cass off the apron. The finish came when Gallows/Anderson were going for the Magic Killer, but Big Cass hit a big boot on Gallows and Enzo rolled up Anderson for the win. This is the reason why it's hard to get interested in Gallows & Anderson because every time they start looking dominant and get on a roll they end up slipping up and getting beat. They should be dominate ass kickers when they are more like complete jokes. Rating: **1/4
Kickoff Segment
Miz Tv w/ Finn Balor
This was pretty much what I expected it to be just a short segment to get both men on the show. It was interesting that Finn brought up getting his title back as it doesn't seem like he is in the plans to be in the title picture at least until after Great Balls of Fire, but maybe they could make it happen at SummerSlam. I would be up for a feud where Balor has to overcome the odds and make it a big deal when he finally gets back the title he never lost. I did like that Balor was going to walk off at first until Miz kept running his mouth and ended up getting hit with a Slingblade and a dropkick into the corner. Miz is so great and I wish he was more of a main event guy on Raw like he was on Smackdown, but I don't see that happening as it looks like he is stuck in the midcard and that is a big shame as he and Maryse are such a great act.
Miz Tv w/ Finn Balor
This was pretty much what I expected it to be just a short segment to get both men on the show. It was interesting that Finn brought up getting his title back as it doesn't seem like he is in the plans to be in the title picture at least until after Great Balls of Fire, but maybe they could make it happen at SummerSlam. I would be up for a feud where Balor has to overcome the odds and make it a big deal when he finally gets back the title he never lost. I did like that Balor was going to walk off at first until Miz kept running his mouth and ended up getting hit with a Slingblade and a dropkick into the corner. Miz is so great and I wish he was more of a main event guy on Raw like he was on Smackdown, but I don't see that happening as it looks like he is stuck in the midcard and that is a big shame as he and Maryse are such a great act.
Match #1
Chris Jericho def Kevin Owens (c) via Submission (WWE United States Championship)The majority of this match was very underwhelming and felt like they were playing it a bit too safe. Once KO used his fingertip to get to the ropes yet again the match picked up with Jericho working on his hand due to him being pissed that the only reason KO is still in the match is because of the fingertip just like at WrestleMania. I liked that the hand work was the reason Jericho won the match since KO's hand was so messed up he couldnt get to the ropes.
Really surprised Jericho won, this means either he loses it back to KO on SmackDown (maybe a Loser Leaves or he has worked out his schedule to be able to work Tuesday's.
Match Rating: **3/4
Chris Jericho def Kevin Owens (c) via Submission (WWE United States Championship)The majority of this match was very underwhelming and felt like they were playing it a bit too safe. Once KO used his fingertip to get to the ropes yet again the match picked up with Jericho working on his hand due to him being pissed that the only reason KO is still in the match is because of the fingertip just like at WrestleMania. I liked that the hand work was the reason Jericho won the match since KO's hand was so messed up he couldnt get to the ropes.
Really surprised Jericho won, this means either he loses it back to KO on SmackDown (maybe a Loser Leaves or he has worked out his schedule to be able to work Tuesday's.
Match Rating: **3/4
Match #2
Austin Aries def Neville via DQ (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
This was a decent match, but nowhere near as good as their match at WrestleMania. Obviously given the finish it looks like this feud will continue to the next Raw PPV "Great Balls of Fire". I liked the sunset flip powerbomb into the Last Chancery by Aries and Neville panicking and doing whatever it took to keep his title and grabbing the referee to cause the disqualification. I just wish this match had given me a bit more than it did. Match Rating: **1/2
Austin Aries def Neville via DQ (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
This was a decent match, but nowhere near as good as their match at WrestleMania. Obviously given the finish it looks like this feud will continue to the next Raw PPV "Great Balls of Fire". I liked the sunset flip powerbomb into the Last Chancery by Aries and Neville panicking and doing whatever it took to keep his title and grabbing the referee to cause the disqualification. I just wish this match had given me a bit more than it did. Match Rating: **1/2
Match #3
The Hardy Boyz def Sheamus & Cesaro via Pinfall (Raw Tag Team Championship)
This was a pretty fun match and so far the best of the night. I forget just how good the Hardy Boyz are in matches that don't include ladders and other weapons. For a good bit of the match poor Jeff was getting the shit kicked out of him, there was a spot where Jeff got tossed out of the ring and took a nasty looking bump. Then Jeff gets kicked in the face by Sheamus and it causes one of his teeth to get knocked out. The finish came when Jeff threw Cesaro over the barricade and then in the ring Sheamus blocks a Twist of Fate and hit Matt with a DDT. Jeff makes a blind tag to Matt and as Sheamus delivers a powerslam and goes to pin Matt, Jeff hits a Swanton Bomb on the back of Sheamus and picks up the win. One question I have as I can't remember is during The Hardy Boyz's matches where they have to tag in and out has Jeff always been the face in peril? I feel now that Matt has slowed down a lot it would be better if that was switched around and Matt was the Ricky Morton and he made the hot tag to Jeff who is still able to come in and clean house at a quicker pace.
The Hardy Boyz def Sheamus & Cesaro via Pinfall (Raw Tag Team Championship)
This was a pretty fun match and so far the best of the night. I forget just how good the Hardy Boyz are in matches that don't include ladders and other weapons. For a good bit of the match poor Jeff was getting the shit kicked out of him, there was a spot where Jeff got tossed out of the ring and took a nasty looking bump. Then Jeff gets kicked in the face by Sheamus and it causes one of his teeth to get knocked out. The finish came when Jeff threw Cesaro over the barricade and then in the ring Sheamus blocks a Twist of Fate and hit Matt with a DDT. Jeff makes a blind tag to Matt and as Sheamus delivers a powerslam and goes to pin Matt, Jeff hits a Swanton Bomb on the back of Sheamus and picks up the win. One question I have as I can't remember is during The Hardy Boyz's matches where they have to tag in and out has Jeff always been the face in peril? I feel now that Matt has slowed down a lot it would be better if that was switched around and Matt was the Ricky Morton and he made the hot tag to Jeff who is still able to come in and clean house at a quicker pace.
Match Rating: ***1/4
After the match The Hardy Boyz and Sheamus/Cesaro shake hands like they had on the previous weeks on Raw, but this time when it looks like they are leaving they come back and Cesaro pushes Jeff off the top rope and they both lay a beating on The Hardy Boyz and it looks like this feud will continue with Cesaro/Sheamus being heels. I like this idea as I feel they could become what Anderson/Gallows should be which are dominating bad asses that can't be stopped.
Match #4
Alexa Bliss def Bayley via Pinfall (Raw Women's Championship)
This was a bit slow starting off, but picked up mid way through. Alexa hits an elbow that I'm sure Mitsuharu Misawa is looking down smiling at (so much for NikkiSawa it's BlissSawa now bitches). One thing I wish Alexa would adopt into her matches is when the referee tells her to let go when she has her opponent on the ropes she should start using the old ROH Bryan Danielson "I have till 5" that would fit perfectly for her character. Bayley hit a nice looking knee to the face of Alexa. I thought this match was over after the flying elbow and was shocked when Alexa kicked out. I like the little touch of Bayley hitting her head on the ring post when Alexa kicked out of the pin. The DDT came out of nowhere and put Bayley away in a pretty good match. I can't believe that with Charlotte being their golden girl that they chose Alexa to be the first women to win both the Raw & Smackdown Women's Championships. I still say that within a few years Alexa has the potential to be the next Trish Stratus that's how good she is character wise and is quickly picking it up in the ring as well just like Trish did. This again could be my biased, but I feel Alexa's ceiling is way higher than any of the 4 Horsewomen.
Match Rating: ***
Alexa Bliss def Bayley via Pinfall (Raw Women's Championship)
This was a bit slow starting off, but picked up mid way through. Alexa hits an elbow that I'm sure Mitsuharu Misawa is looking down smiling at (so much for NikkiSawa it's BlissSawa now bitches). One thing I wish Alexa would adopt into her matches is when the referee tells her to let go when she has her opponent on the ropes she should start using the old ROH Bryan Danielson "I have till 5" that would fit perfectly for her character. Bayley hit a nice looking knee to the face of Alexa. I thought this match was over after the flying elbow and was shocked when Alexa kicked out. I like the little touch of Bayley hitting her head on the ring post when Alexa kicked out of the pin. The DDT came out of nowhere and put Bayley away in a pretty good match. I can't believe that with Charlotte being their golden girl that they chose Alexa to be the first women to win both the Raw & Smackdown Women's Championships. I still say that within a few years Alexa has the potential to be the next Trish Stratus that's how good she is character wise and is quickly picking it up in the ring as well just like Trish did. This again could be my biased, but I feel Alexa's ceiling is way higher than any of the 4 Horsewomen.
Match Rating: ***
Match #5
Bray Wyatt def Randy Orton via Pinfall (House of Horrors Match)
Why the hell was this not just a No Holds Barred Match, the whole House of Horrors part of this match was fucking stupid and pointless and didn't do anything to lead to the finish. They could have accomplished the same damn thing with having Mahal and the Singh brothers interfere and beat down Orton. This absolutely sucked and thank God this shitty feud is over and hopefully Bray will move onto other things, but he probably won't. At least Bray did win this feud, but he couldn't win it on his own. I did like that Bray took fashion tips from Harper in this match wearing the always redneck classy dirty wife beater. Match Rating: DUD
Bray Wyatt def Randy Orton via Pinfall (House of Horrors Match)
Why the hell was this not just a No Holds Barred Match, the whole House of Horrors part of this match was fucking stupid and pointless and didn't do anything to lead to the finish. They could have accomplished the same damn thing with having Mahal and the Singh brothers interfere and beat down Orton. This absolutely sucked and thank God this shitty feud is over and hopefully Bray will move onto other things, but he probably won't. At least Bray did win this feud, but he couldn't win it on his own. I did like that Bray took fashion tips from Harper in this match wearing the always redneck classy dirty wife beater. Match Rating: DUD
Match #6
Seth Rollins def Samoa Joy via Pinfall
This entire match was Joe working over the knee of Rollins and Rolling trying to find a way to fight through it and get a win. Rollins did a great job of selling the knee and smartly didn't go for the springboard knee as you can't hop up like that to the top rope with a hurt knee. I liked how Joe used all of his weight and hit a senton splash to weaken Rollins's knee. Rollins get the win after he rolls Joe up with a fireman's carry into a pin while Joe had Rollins locked in the Coquina Clutch. Really great way to give Rollins a win and not cool down Joe as he will be more pissed now since Rollins made him look like a fool. There was times during this match I wish they would have cranked it up a gear or two as it felt a bit in slow motion until Rollins got on the offense. Match Rating: ***3/4
Seth Rollins def Samoa Joy via Pinfall
This entire match was Joe working over the knee of Rollins and Rolling trying to find a way to fight through it and get a win. Rollins did a great job of selling the knee and smartly didn't go for the springboard knee as you can't hop up like that to the top rope with a hurt knee. I liked how Joe used all of his weight and hit a senton splash to weaken Rollins's knee. Rollins get the win after he rolls Joe up with a fireman's carry into a pin while Joe had Rollins locked in the Coquina Clutch. Really great way to give Rollins a win and not cool down Joe as he will be more pissed now since Rollins made him look like a fool. There was times during this match I wish they would have cranked it up a gear or two as it felt a bit in slow motion until Rollins got on the offense. Match Rating: ***3/4
Match #7
Braun Strowman def Roman Reigns via Pinfall
This match was so great and perfectly booked, I was so scared this was going to be the usual Roman gets beat down for most of the match and then comes back at the end to win, but thankfully I was wrong. This was exactly what it needed to be it let Braun be the dominate unstoppable monster that he is and still gave Roman a few hope spots so he doesn't look completely weak. The post match was also really great with Braun slamming Roman off the steps chest first and then driving them into his chest causing Roman to start bleeding from the mouth. After the show on Raw Talk they show Roman next to an ambulance and out of nowhere Braun runs at Roman, but Roman moves and Braun crashes through the ambulance door. Braun goes back at Roman and Roman uses the other door and slams it into Braun's head and this causes Braun to back down and walk away. Now with this beat down it's pretty clear that there is 0.0% chance Roman is turning heel as he is going to be that sympathetic baby face who makes the miraculous return and finally is the one who beats the monster which is fine and I honestly have no problem with it to be honest, if they do it the right way.
The way I would do it is have Braun vs Brock at the Great Balls of Fire PPV and in the build up make Brock the baby face and have it where he may be the only one who can stop Braun, then at that show have Braun beat Brock for the belt in another dominate performance. The next night you have Braun come out and say he has laid waste to everyone and there is nobody left for him on Raw and this is when you bring Roman back with a completely different look and feel to him with new music, new entrance, and do away with his Shield gear. Have Roman come out and hit a few Superman punches on Braun to send him out of the ring and then give him the mic and all he has to say is "I'll see your ass at SummerSlam" and then drop the mic. That's all you have to do it's pretty simple and in the weeks leading up to SummerSlam you don't have Roman say anything else as he is just a silent bad ass that dominates the other heels on the show. I would also have Angle come out and make it where Roman and Braun can't touch until the bell rings at SummerSlam and make the match some kind of stipulation match either a last man standing or a Hell in a Cell because it will take a match that crazy in order for Braun and Roman to finally settle their differences. I would have Roman beat Braun at SummerSlam and hold the title until he and Brock meet at WrestleMania, but at no time during any of that would he ever go back to acting like the current Roman. That's a simple idea, but I highly doubt WWE would ever do it.
Braun Strowman def Roman Reigns via Pinfall
This match was so great and perfectly booked, I was so scared this was going to be the usual Roman gets beat down for most of the match and then comes back at the end to win, but thankfully I was wrong. This was exactly what it needed to be it let Braun be the dominate unstoppable monster that he is and still gave Roman a few hope spots so he doesn't look completely weak. The post match was also really great with Braun slamming Roman off the steps chest first and then driving them into his chest causing Roman to start bleeding from the mouth. After the show on Raw Talk they show Roman next to an ambulance and out of nowhere Braun runs at Roman, but Roman moves and Braun crashes through the ambulance door. Braun goes back at Roman and Roman uses the other door and slams it into Braun's head and this causes Braun to back down and walk away. Now with this beat down it's pretty clear that there is 0.0% chance Roman is turning heel as he is going to be that sympathetic baby face who makes the miraculous return and finally is the one who beats the monster which is fine and I honestly have no problem with it to be honest, if they do it the right way.
The way I would do it is have Braun vs Brock at the Great Balls of Fire PPV and in the build up make Brock the baby face and have it where he may be the only one who can stop Braun, then at that show have Braun beat Brock for the belt in another dominate performance. The next night you have Braun come out and say he has laid waste to everyone and there is nobody left for him on Raw and this is when you bring Roman back with a completely different look and feel to him with new music, new entrance, and do away with his Shield gear. Have Roman come out and hit a few Superman punches on Braun to send him out of the ring and then give him the mic and all he has to say is "I'll see your ass at SummerSlam" and then drop the mic. That's all you have to do it's pretty simple and in the weeks leading up to SummerSlam you don't have Roman say anything else as he is just a silent bad ass that dominates the other heels on the show. I would also have Angle come out and make it where Roman and Braun can't touch until the bell rings at SummerSlam and make the match some kind of stipulation match either a last man standing or a Hell in a Cell because it will take a match that crazy in order for Braun and Roman to finally settle their differences. I would have Roman beat Braun at SummerSlam and hold the title until he and Brock meet at WrestleMania, but at no time during any of that would he ever go back to acting like the current Roman. That's a simple idea, but I highly doubt WWE would ever do it.
Match Rating: ****
Final Thoughts
Overall Payback was pretty much what I expected a below average show with a couple of decent matches and one really good match. Nothing really exceeded my expectations in the ring and overall other than the main event and Joe vs Rollins this show is skip able. I would grade it a D+
Overall Payback was pretty much what I expected a below average show with a couple of decent matches and one really good match. Nothing really exceeded my expectations in the ring and overall other than the main event and Joe vs Rollins this show is skip able. I would grade it a D+
Payback 2017 Match Ranking
8. House of Horrors
7. Enzo & Big Cass vs Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
6. WWE Cruiserweight Championship
5. WWE US Championship
4. Raw Women's Championship
3. Raw Tag Team Championship
2. Samoa Joe vs Seth Rollins
1. Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns
7. Enzo & Big Cass vs Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
6. WWE Cruiserweight Championship
5. WWE US Championship
4. Raw Women's Championship
3. Raw Tag Team Championship
2. Samoa Joe vs Seth Rollins
1. Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns
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