This coming Monday morning (UAE time), the WWE’ Payback pay-per-view takes centre stage with a host of intriguing match-ups to have the Universe salivating.
Three titles will be up for grabs on the main card, while the McMahons will also determine who takes full control of Monday Night RAW.
Not only that, there are scores to be settled between some old NXT foes and a couple of fan favourites.
TAG-TEAM TOURNAMENT FINAL FOR NO1 CONTENDER
It’s a big moment for these two teams that have graduated from NXT as they go up against each other for the right to face New Day for the gold. A seminal moment that, thanks to the chemistry between them, should serve up a treat. PREDICTION: An incredibly tricky one to call but we’re going with AMORE & CASSIDY for the win, the pair looking a little more like the finished article and better prepared to take on New Day. However, when they face off later on the card for that tag-team title expect NEW DAY to retain. CHARLOTTE vs NATALYAWOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
This battle has been heating up in recent weeks and at Payback will see their legendary ancestry take to each other’s corners as Ric Flair supports his daughter and Bret Hart looks to even the balance for his niece. PREDICTION: Charlotte has had things all in her favour thanks to the underhanded efforts of her dad but not this time as we back NATALYA to cause a shock and claim the title. For the time being, anyway. SAMI ZAYN vs KEVIN OWENS Anyone who has witnessed these two face-off in NXT over the years will know that this one could be a classic. The pair work extremely well together and are both hot properties in the WWE. It’s been a long time coming on a main PPV but boy it should be worth the wait. PREDICTION: Owens has had the better of Zayn in the lead-up to this and it’s going to go one of two ways. Either Owens continues getting the better of his opponent and moves on to pastures new or, as we presume, ZAYN gets the win to setup a mouth-watering brutal rematch at Extreme Rules that ultimately puts Owens over. DOLPH ZIGGLER vs BARON CORBIN This is another rivalry that has gathered pace in recent shows and gives Corbin a huge opportunity to showcase his talent on a PPV. Ziggler remains a big draw but his fall from the top of the card back into the safety of the middle has been hard to witness for many fans. PREDICTION: We’re going to go with an upset in this one, a little against the grain but we have to stick our neck out on the line at some point. CORBIN gets the win, possibly with a cheeky roll-up “OUTTA NOWHERE!” DEAN AMBROSE vs CHRIS JERICHO Jericho has been the go-to guy for helping those in and around the world heavyweight title contention but too big-time for the truly middle-card for a while and that is definitely the case here. Ambrose needs to maintain momentum and in Jericho he has a ready-made heel to pit his wits against and keep the Universe entertained. PREDICTION: This is another one that will set things up nicely for another go at things at Extreme Rules which should play into Ambrose’s hands a little more. A JERICHO win will do that nicely, giving Ambrose the chance to go to town later in the month. THE MIZ vs CESAROINTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Much to the delight of the WWE Universe and the Cesaro Section, the big man is back in the ring and straight away has a shot at Miz’s title. Miz and his returning wife Maryse have moved the goalposts since he took the title off Zack Ryder, exploiting any opportunity in front of them to retain the gold. PREDICTION: This one has an interference from Maryse written all over it that will see THE MIZ retain his belt, either in the form of an unclean win or, more likely, a disqualification that allows for a No DQ match at Extreme Rules. ROMAN REIGNS vs AJ STYLESWORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Faster than you can say AJ Styles the Phenomenal One has risen to the top ranks of WWE and become the number one contender for Reigns’ title. The build-up to this has been a mix of respect and interference from Styles’ former stablemates Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows of the Bullet Club. For Reigns it is another opportunity to establish himself at the top of the pile without the nuisance of the Authority. PREDICTION: There is no way Reigns is losing his title here and much will depend on the Bullet Club as to how he leaves the champ. We expect them to turn on AJ, leading to a feud between the former teammates that hands REIGNS victory.
1 / 7
2 / 7
3 / 7
4 / 7
5 / 7
6 / 7
7 / 7
