Another month,  another WWE special event, and the verdict is in! Yes, I know that there’s another show in only 2 weeks, but this show is definitely worthy of reviewing, having some surprises and cementing certain points which should be highlighted. Much like the Wrestlemania piece I did, I’ll go through this match by match (albeit a little more briefly), giving a brief look at the overall match. Lets get this party started, FROM BALTIMORE MARYLAND, THIS IS PAYBACK.

 

Match 1: Sheamus v. Dolph Ziggler

This entire feud has been fairly frustrating to me, and this match was a microcosm of the whole story. Ziggler is so good. Numerous times in the match he reminds me of Shawn Michaels, both in selling and offense, and I can’t imagine why he doesn’t get pushed to the moon. Here, however, his opponent didn’t seem to pull his weight, as Sheamus looked fairly slow and not 100%. I know Sheamus can do good work, this just wasn’t all the way there. I know these guys are great, and I know Sheamus can be an excellent heel, but this wasn’t their finest day. I’m hoping Ziggler gets the vacated IC belt, and Sheamus gets a feud to shine in.

Winner: Sheamus

 

Match 2: The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd, 2 out of 3 Falls match

This was my predictions for match of the night, and while it didn’t quite get there, it was still solid. The biggest point I took out of this match was the style of pacing and such. While the “hot tag” idea will always exist in tag matches, this felt like a tag team style for this modern era. While there were moments of individuals shining, the different, unique move sets of each team working together made the crowd, and myself, on the edge of our seats with excitement. Even though the ending wasn’t the best (and could potentially be taken in a poor light), the overall feel was solid. The New Day is an excellent heel faction, and I love seeing these amazing in ring talents FINALLY have a solid gimmick.

Winner: The New Day (2-1)

 

Match 3: Bray Wyatt vs. Ryback

About mid way through this match, I began to get antsy, but not in a good way. This match was really slow, as you’d expect with these two workers. Nothing particularly stood out in this one other than wondering if Bray can get back to the pinnacle he was about a year ago. I love his character, but I think his in ring work needs some polishing, and an ideal opponent, much like Ryback. All in all, not an offensive match, but not the greatest.

Winner: Bray Wyatt

 

Match 4: John Cena  (Champion) vs. Rusev. “I Quit” match for the US Title

On Grantland’s “Cheap Heat” podcast, it was stated that all  ‘I Quit’ matches are compared to, sometimes unfairly, the greatest one of all, between Tully Blanchard and Magnum T.A. back in the 1980s, but the one we saw here was fairly good. While not as brutal as Rock v. Mankind from the late 1990’s, this had solid spots, and Cena and Rusev both looked very strong. The end spot with the ring ropes being used after a turnbuckle was undone was interesting, all for the fact that I’m not sure why Rusev didn’t just take the shackle off the post rather than unscrewing the turnbuckle and looking weird (yup, I use turnbuckles at work). Anyway, the best part of this match was the crowd FINALLY not really booing Cena, getting behind USA, and booing the holy hell out of Rusev. With Lana looking to break out on her own, I’m curious where Rusev will go from here. All I know for sure, Cena never gives up.

Winner: John Cena

 

Match 5: Naomi & Tamina vs. The Bella Twins

Very odd match here. The crowd was, unsurprisingly, totally out of it, and the Bella’s came out of this looking like seasoned vets. The Diva’s division really misses Paige and AJ right now, but Nikki in this match really stepped it up. She was hitting spot after spot, looking to be fit for the championship she currently holds. In what looked out of nowhere, Naomi got the pin and took the win, but I have no idea what that means in terms of her and Tamina’s future.

Winner: Naomi & Tamina

 

Match 6: Neville vs. King Barrett

Another weird match, where Neville won via count out. The whole match became an afterthought when Neville sold an injured knee, which looked like he really injured, and my heart legitimately sank. With the post match beat down from Barrett, my worries subsided a little and we got a beautifully expected (and executed) Red Arrow on the King. Between these two,  Ziggler and the John Cena challenge segment, the mid card is really strong in WWE right now. I hope these guys lock up again soon.

Winner: Neville (count out)

 

Match 7: Seth Rollins (Champion) v. Randy Orton v. Roman Reigns v. Dean Ambrose. No DQ Fatal 4-Way for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

This match surprised me by becoming match of the night. All four of these guys looked like main eventers in this match, and gave points where it looked like they were gonna pull out the win. The big talking point in this match, however, was the all too brief reunion of The Shield, when they triple powerbombed Orton through an announcer’s table. This moment gave me chills, and the turn against Rollins immediately after was natural. Even though Rollins pulled out the win with the Pedigree (which I LOVE him using), the man of the match for me was Reigns. This was the first time I thought he really stood out on his own. WWE pushed him a little early, and I certainly gave my thoughts on that, but with work like this, he’s looking to be fit for the championship soon, and I hope the crowd can see that.

Winner: Seth Rollins

 

In sum, not the greatest special event, but definitely had some great moments. I’m looking forward to Elimination Chamber in a few weeks, especially the chamber match for the IC title. Those mid level belts are looking strong again!!

By: Brett Israel

 

UPDATE BONUS:   Our own Ben Taylor of PCU Declassified has his own view of the PPV.

Click here to listen to he and his guest Mansa discuss the show.