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Almost all of the championships in the WWE were up for grabs at Extreme Rules but the WWE Universe only got to see one title change. The remaining champions lived to see another day with the gold around their waist, but it might not be the same situation when WWE brings in their 2015 edition of Payback.The company has already booked a couple of championship matches for the show and we are bound to see some more added in the weeks to come. With SummerSlam quickly approaching, the company would be trying to draw out some credible buildup for all the champions and here is a look at how they could fair in Payback.
#5 Divas Championship Drops
The divas division looks all set to replicate what they did at Extreme Rules as another Naomi – Nikki Bella showdown is a big possibility. Naomi has built up a lot of momentum during her heel run and Nikki on the other hand will be fresh from her face turn.
Although Nikki’s face turn would be hard for the WWE fans to digest, it opens up the door for WWE to take the title away from her without hurting her momentum. Paige is showing no signs of making her return anytime soon and Naomi winning the title meanwhile would be a great storyline. Paige could then challenge for the title once she returns and the Bellas could move on to some other angle.
Possible Opponents – Naomi
#4 Tag Team Championship Drops
Tag Team Championship was the only title that changed hands at Extreme Rules. If everything goes right for the Lucha dragons, the fans will get to see another tag team title change at Payback. Tyson Kidd and Cesaro are still in the title picture after their loss at Extreme Rules but they are likely to spend their rematch clause somewhere down the lane before Payback.
This will open the door for Lucha Dragons and since WWE is high on the merchandise sale that the two masked wrestlers have been pulling off, they are favorites to win the tag titles. It will hurt New Day on the longer run, but a title change will keep things fresh and lively in the division.
Possible Opponent – Lucha Dragons
#3 Intercontinental Championship Drops
Daniel Bryan’s injury prevented the Intercontinental title being defended at Extreme Rules and if we go by the rumors, Bryan will most likely miss Payback as well. If he does, WWE is likely to strip him off the title as they would want it to be defended regularly unlike what is happening now.
And if Bryan manages to show up at Payback after all, then also, WWE might take the title away from him. Bryan’s vulnerability with injuries is what works against him at this moment and WWE would be hesitant to keep a major title on him. Bad News Barrett is the favorite to succeed Bryan as he has a lot of momentum in his side along with being the King of the Ring.
Possible Opponent/Winner – Bad News Barrett
#2 United States Championship Retains
WWE has made the match between John Cena and Rusev official at Payback and unlike the last outing; it will be an I Quit Match. Cena’s reign as the United States Champions has been excellent so far and the weekly open challenge has given the fans a lot of exciting matches.
Taking the gold away from Cena would be suicidal from WWE at this point and this means a clean win against Rusev. The way in which WWE ends the match will determine the extent to which Rusev will be buried and hopefully, it won’t be too deep as he still has a lot more to give to the wrestling business.
Opponent – Rusev
#1 WWE Championship Retains
Triple Threat matches have been a staple of the WWE Championship scenario recently and the company will serve yet another one at Payback. Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and Seth Rollins will be the protagonists this time around and although all three men are worthy of carrying the WWE championship now, Rollins dropping the title at Payback is impossible.
One way or the other, he is going to find a way out of the situation and retain the title, so that he could go on to settle the score with Brock Lesnar. Orton and Reigns might go different paths after the match or they could stick around the title scene for another pay-per-view. Either way, Rollins is walking out of Payback as champion.
Opponents – Randy Orton and Roman Reigns
