Predictions for every match at WWE Payback – FOXSports.com
With multiple matches and a few titles on the line Sunday at WWE’s Payback 2016 Pay-Per-View, one of the bigger decisions won’t be decided by pinfall.
The call — If there is one =- will come from Vince McMahon, and he will finally decide which of his children will control Monday Night Raw. Will it be Stephanie or will it be Shane?
Somehow, as is almost always the case when it comes to sports entertainment and a tease from the chairman, don’t expect and answer.
There’ll be drama likely and some future stipulation to continue the storyline that evolved as The Authority was pushed side in favor of a social-media uproar after Shane’s return from a seven-year absence.
What we can expect is a stacked card full of superstar matchups and exciting possibilities.
Check out these Payback 2016 matches and predictions for tonight’s pay-per-view:
Who: Roman Reigns (C) vs. AJ Styles
What’s on the line: World Heavyweight Championship
Prediction: Reigns has proclaimed himself as not a good guy, not a bad guy, just the guy (ok dude). The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles, practically arrived to the WWE yesterday (not really, but fairly recently) and he’s already slated as the No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.
The arrival of two members from AJ’s former indie stable, the Bullet Club, has put Luke (Doc) Gallows and Karl Anderson in his corner. Each time Gallows and Anderson are on screen with AJ, they assure him they will forever have his back and are here to help him.
I can’t help but think they won’t actually help him. They might turn on him, distracting AJ mid-match while Roman picks up a win to retain the belt.
This also could set the stage for former Bullet Club leader and NXT superstar Finn Balor to make his WWE debut. Balor, Gallows, and Anderson will ride off into the sunset, leave AJ in the dust, and Reigns will be showered in boos.
Who: Charlotte (C) (accompanied by Ric Flair) vs. Natalya (accompanied by Bret Hart)
What’s on the line: Women’s Championship
Prediction: Let’s cut right to the chase … Charlotte isn’t losing the title. All signs point to the feud heating up between her and Sasha Banks. This will be a nice detour with some added star power, and will shine a much deserved light on Natty.
Bret Hart and Ric Flair will be ringside and there’s no doubt each will try and help the women gain any possible advantage. Ric will succeed, Charlotte will retain, and Natty will put on a heck of a show. Two women wrestlers with their caliber of talent will make for a match you do not want to miss.
Who: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
What’s on the line: Friendship
Prediction: The history fueling this superstar matchup spans well more than a decade. They rose to fame side-by-side from the independent scene all the way to the WWE. They were such close friends that they considered themselves brothers.
Sami was shelved for most of 2015 due to a shoulder injury, which left space for Owens to head to the main roster and get some much sought after TV time. While Owens excelled, Sami remained bitter and felt betrayed.
The WWE does a great job at recognizing their history together and plays right into their promise that this is the “new era” of wrestling. Fans will be dazzled. These two know each other so well that the in-ring work will be as much flawless as it is emotional. I’m expecting Owens to win, but Sami will not go down without an incredible fight.
Who: The Miz (C) vs. Cesaro
What’s on the line: Intercontinental Championship
Prediction: Love him or hate him, the Miz is the Miz. His sneaky, whiny, annoying character performs so well on the microphone, you just have to boo him (but secretly love it).
I’d love to see him retain. Miz and wife Maryse have a good thing going, and it’s great television. Cesaro will make an amazing champion, but Payback isn’t going to be the night and the IC title isn’t going to be the belt.
Cesaro will get a couple swings in, Miz will somehow sneak in a skull-crushing finale by way of Maryse distraction, and our current champ will retain.
Who: Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho
What’s on the line: Bragging rights
Prediction: These two are arguably some of the best and most charismatic on the microphone. Jericho is such a cranky heel and Dean is the most authentic tough guy out there.
The name of the Pay-Per-View ties in perfectly to what Jericho will be looking for â payback. The feud hit its stride when Shane McMahon canceled Jericho’s segment, “The Highlight Reel.” Since then, the “Ambrose Asylum” has taken its spot and made Jericho hysterically angry and searching for a way to get back at Ambrose.
Ambrose will win via ‘Dirty Deeds’ and we won’t see Jericho back for a while.
Who: Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
What’s on the line: Bragging rights
Prediction: Since Corbin arrived to NXT, he’s been set up as an unstoppable monster, and the plan will be to continue that through his time in the WWE. Do I want Ziggler to win? Yes. Is it going to happen? Probably not. What’s great about ZIggler is that every match matters to him. As a wrestler, you never see him give half an effort. He works so hard and that’s why the crowd loves him. If he has to lose against Corbin, you bet he’ll go down with the volume from the crowd turned up to 11.
Corbin is still learning the ropes, Ziggler is going to give him a show, and it’ll result in the “End of Days” and the pin by Corbin. Should be phenomenal â sorry, Styles — and I actually hope a feud between the duo continues.
Who: Enzo Amore and Colin Cassidy vs. The Vaudevillians
What’s on the line: No 1 tag-team contender
Prediction: Since Enzo and Big Cass debuted in the WWE, the duo has been on the fast track to superstardom. Fans know all their catch phrases, they’ve been over since Day One, and there’s no sign of their fame-train slowing.
However, The Vaudevillians would make great No. 1 contenders for the tag titles against The New Day. They deserve the shot â Enzo and Cass do not need the belts to solidify their popularity.
This match will be charismatic and hilarious. I speculate we’ll see The New Day at some point coming to check on their future competition and The Vaudevillians will take the win.
Who: Kalisto (C) vs Ryback
What’s on the line: United States Championship
Prediction: This match will have a David vs. Goliath feel. The lack of story fueling this matchup is a missed opportunity. WWE needs to make this title mean something again (it hasn’t really since John Cena was champ) and it isnt doing itself any favors burying this storyline.
If you can barely remember Ryback trying to beat Kalisto for the title back at WrestleMania 32 a few weeks ago, don’t worry because neither can I. Either Kalisto deserves a big push and a long run with the belt or Ryback needs to showcase how powerful he really is and get the win. I’m picking Ryback and expecting him to go on quite a tear as long-standing champ.
