Predictions for tonight's WWE PPV, Payback. Follow me on Twitter @CCTChairShots for updates during the PPV.
Payback Kickoff
Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow
The newly named "kickoff" (it's still a preshow, but kickoff sounds better) will feature former World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, something that caught a lot of people off guard when it was announced. But considering his opponent, I agree that this match is probably more suited to be given away for free than on the actual pay-per-view. Having someone of name value -- rather than say, the Usos vs. the Prime Time Players or even the Rhodes Scholars -- should increase the viewership, which WWE can monetize through advertising on the app and other devices (don't worry, it might be "free" but they are still making money). This isn't a knock on Snadow, by the way, who I think is great, he just doesn't move the needle much, mainly because he's been a glorified jobber for a few months. There is a part of me that thinks they might actually be building Sandow up for something, and he could using his mental accumen to best Sheamus' physicality, perhaps with a roll-up and using the ropes for leverage. Who am I kidding? Brogue kick for the win in about 4 minutes.
WINNER: Sheamus
Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship
Wade Barrett (c) vs. The Miz vs. Curtis Axel
This match is hurt by the fact that all of the build kind of revolved around Fandango, and now he's out because of a concussion. Most fans, I think, were expecting Fandango to emerge victorious here, claiming his first singles gold. Now, it seems that the late addition of Curtis Axel is the hot pick. And why not? It seems WWE wouldn't want to end his undefeated streak, even if they could do so without taking the fall because of the rules of the Triple Threat. Miz is treading water as a babyface and holding the IC title doesn't seem to be doing much for Barrett either. But Axel -- mainly because of Paul Heyman -- might be able to restore some luster to the belt. He wins it here after Miz hits Barrett with the Skull-Crushing Finale before Axel steals a pin and begins a feud with the Miz over the title.
WINNER: And NEW Intercontinental Champion, Curtis Axel
Tag Team Championship
Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns (c) vs. Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton
My guess is the intrigue of this match isn't about who is going to win, but rather the fall out between Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton. This was an interesting way to break up Team Hell No without having a true breakup, and if Randy Orton is indeed going to start turning heel -- as has been speculated for months -- it makes sense to turn him against Bryan, who is way more over than the Viper's sometimes tag partner and now preshow star Sheamus. Bryan and Orton were on the same page Friday on Smackdown, handing The Shield their first 6-man tag team loss after an RKO and LeBell Lock to Rollins. But the Shield just isn't going to lose here, and I think Orton will actually take the fall, maybe after some miscommunication with Bryan.
WINNERS: And STILL Tag Team Champions, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns
United States Championship
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kane
We got a preview of this match on Raw and it was enjoyable until it ended in a smoz because of outside interference from the rest of the Shield. A title match victory for Ambrose would go a long way here, in my opinion, as Kane is almost always booked strong and only gets pinned against the very top of the roster (at least these days). Keep this one simple and have Ambrose go over clean.
WINNER: And STILL United States Champion, Dean Ambrose
Divas Championship
Kaitlyn (c) vs. AJ Lee
You had to love the angle done on Raw where Kaitlyn's secret admirer turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by AJ to get some payback (see what I did there?) for what she perceived as her former best friend not looking out for her over the past year or so. I wonder if Big E Langston, who helped AJ carry out the plan, will get involved here. Remember, she cost him a couple of matches during his TV feud with Alberto Del Rio, but that might not have been anything. But, what if he really does have a thing for Kaitlyn, and helps her retain the title? Nah. I actually think we'll get a non-finish here. After Kaitlyn snapped on Smackdown, I'd expect AJ to taunt her at some point that leads to Kaitlyn getting DQ'd, giving AJ a win and setting up another match at next month's PPV, perhaps with No DQ stipulation.
WINNER: By disqualification, AJ Lee, however STILL Divas Champion, Kaitlyn
World Heavyweight Championship
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio
Because Ziggler has been off TV for so long, this match doesn't have a ton of heat to it. Honestly, there is more heat between Big E Langston, Ziggler's heavy, and Del Rio, than there is between the combatants at this point. However, we've seen them wrestle before and they tend to turn in a solid effort, I just wonder if the audience will care. Chicago is full of meta fans, so I expect them to actually be squarely in the corner of Ziggler, which could really hurt Del Rio's stock as a babyface. Del Rio cleanly defeated Ziggler on Smackdown this week, and by wrestling booking 101, looking great on TV means losing on PPV. Dolph retains, but not without some shenanigins.
WINNER: And STILL World Heavyweight Champion, Dolph Ziggler
Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk
Perhaps the most intriguing match on the card, up until a week ago, I really thought Punk wasn't going to show and Heyman would replace him with Curtis Axel. But since Axel-Jericho has already happened on Smackdown, and the Perfect Son is now in the Intercontinental Championship match, barring him pulling double duty, that won't happen. WWE has to deliver CM Punk in some capacity, and barring the introduction of a new wrestler here (Bray Wyatt?) or a return from injury (Big Show?), there really isn't an obvious fill-in opponent for Jericho (and they aren't going to have him show up on PPV and not wrestle). So I do think CM Punk returns here, because what other choice is there? If this were the Attitude Era or some other promotion, I'd almost wonder if a double turn wouldn't take place here, with Heyman screwing Punk and helping Jericho win the match, turning Y2J heel aligning with Heyman and turning Punk face. CM Punk is going to get a face reaction anyway, so perhaps after an incredible match, he and Jericho shake hands and he starts showing babyface tendencies, eventually leading to a split with Heyman.
WINNER: CM Punk (if it happens)
3 Stages of Hell for the WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Ryback
In case you somehow missed it, the three stages match is basically a 2-out-of-3 falls match with gimmicks for all three matches. In this series, it will be a lumberjack match, a tables match and, if necessary (and because it's scripted, of course it'll be necessary) an ambulance match. With the formalities out of the way, I really think WWE is missing a golden opportunity here with Ryback. Since Extreme Rules, I think he's found his niche as a monster, yet still whiny, heel. He's not quite as good as Batista was during his final days in the WWE, but it's somewhat reminiscent. The second half of 2012, with a heel CM Punk as WWE Champion and babyfaces chasing him, was some of the best TV in a while. And remember Mark Henry's run as World Heavyweight Champion in late 2011? Heel champion runs are much more interesting than babyfaces defending, in my opinion, and also allow for the rise of a new hero. WWE is clearly building that new hero in Daniel Bryan right now, and while everyone is hot for a Bryan-Cena feud over the belt, I think it'd be better to wait. Plus, because this is a gimmick match where really only one fall is decided by pinfall or submission (lumberjack match) and the other's could be flukish, you can protect posterboy John Cena. Bottom line, I think Ryback needs to go over here to shake things up. Read more about why, and the impact on Bryan-Cena here: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/blogs/sports/chair_shots/chair-shots-wwe-should-put-title-on-ryback-make-us/article_d59f8f56-cfb9-11e2-8918-001a4bcf887a.html
WINNER: And NEW WWE Champion, Ryback
