WWE Payback: Final Match Card and Predictions

Though it looks like a mere repetition of some matches from Extreme Rules, WWEs Payback is going to be an important pay-per-view for the company both in terms of financial grounds and the fan base.Almost all of WWEs decisions after WrestleMania sat well with the WWE Universe but it still wasnt enough to let them escape from the bad luck which was behind them. After Daniel Bryans injury, the company struggled a bit to pull off a good match card.Eventually, they ended up doing their best and we were given with a solid card which has potential match of the year contenders in it. With less than one week away from the pay-per-view, here is a look at the final match card and predictions.

#7 Pre-Show Kickoff Mask vs. Hair Match: El Torito vs. Hornswoggle

So last time it was a Wee LC match that ended up doing well and this time it’s just a plane old match which could spell disaster from the starting bell.

Having the hair and the mask on the line is not a great way to raise the stakes for the match as the fans will be seen struggling to invest in the match. The other members of the 3MB and Los Matadores won’t be able to pull off their spots from last time making it more worse.

And as far as the winner is concerned, El Torito had been wrestling for a long time in Mexico and people there hasn’t seen his face yet. So it will be time to say good bye to that silky smooth hair for Hornswoggle.

Prediction: El Torito wins

#6 Big E Langston vs. Alexandre Rusev

If the company wanted to add a match to Payback they had a lot of options with Adam Rose, Summer Rae and some more. But the company chose to go with this one which promises to be the first real test for Rusev.

It’s going to be a break or make situation for him now as the fans will be now eager to see what Rusev can do outside his regular squash matches.

Big E on the other hand might’ve to put Rusev over at his expense since it wouldn’t affect him on the long run as he has plans to turn heel.

The win at Payback will make Rusev fresh again and he will be well placed to get the a biggest push once this is done.

Prediction: Rusev Wins

#5 Divas Championship: Paige (c) vs. Alicia Fox

The creative team was met with a great dilemma of having to choose the next opponent for Paige after she defeated Tamina at Extreme Rules.

However, the company covered up well and produced a new Alicia Fox who ended up being a great challenge for the divas champion. The loose cannon gimmick that Alicia is having at the moment helps to add more layers to this match.

But then again, Alicia is not getting her hands on the title as we could get to see some post match break down.

Paige is going all the way with the title until AJ Lee returns and after Alicia, the company should be already thinking about whom to recycle next.

Prediction: Paige wins

#4 United States Championship: Sheamus (c) vs. Cesaro

Cesaro being involved in a feud with Sheamus was something which came unexpected but it seemed worth it as they started involving more.

Paul Heyman as usual has been a gem throughout the feud and he added that extra sparkle. The match will be physical and entertaining without any doubt and WWE also managed to put in a story in the middle by having the commentators play up a head injury to Sheamus.

This might be the way they are looking to make Sheamus look weak but the chances of him losing the title ain’t that high.

The biggest reason for that is Cesaro himself. WWE has big plans for the King of Swing and he might end up winning the Money in the Bank soon making the US title look like a burden if he wins it now.

Prediction: Sheamus wins.

#3 Intercontinental Championship: Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam earned his spot to face Bad News Barrett by beating the clock and that was the buildup they had for this match. It might sound a bit lame, but since WWE weren’t that high on mid card titles before a few months, this is a better situation.

Van Dam is far away from what he used to be in his prime and it’s a doubt whether he could rise up to the challenge when it is needed.

Barrett on the other hand will be out to brawl his way to victory and there is no reason which suggests that he might lose this one. The Barrett era has only begun in WWE and he still has a long way to go.

Van Dam on the other hand will play a veteran putting over a youngster and will be happy to wait till Money in the Bank to climb some ladders.

Prediction: Bad News Barrett Wins

#2 Last Man Standing Match: John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt

As far as WWE is concerned, the last man standing matches are their way of saying that we might be seeing the conclusion of a feud.

And since Cena and Bray started this one way back in the Royal Rumble this might be the right time to pull the plug as well. The Last Man Standing matches often produces some memorable moments between the ropes and this might not be any different.

But the biggest problem would be predicting a winner. What everyone wants to see is Bray win the match and get over cleanly against Cena but then again Cena never loses his last man standing matches.

If it is the end of the feud also, then WWE will be carful enough to book their real face well in the match just to keep the children happy. At the same time it will also require to bury Cena’s ego if Bray is to win which doesn’t seem likely.

This swings the pendulum in favor of Cena who sadly has all the chances of walking out as the winner at Payback.

Prediction: John Cena wins

#1 No Holds Barred Elimination Match: Evolution vs. The Shield

It was a match that actually deserved to headline Extreme Rules but ended up getting that spot in Payback.

The added stipulations are sure to make this one a better outing than what we witnessed at Extreme Rules. No one is going to get their money wasted if they bought the PPV since this match alone could serve as the back bone of the entire thing.

There is pretty much no concern regarding the quality of the match but the only question that looms around will be the outcome of it.

Shield already got one over the Evolution at Extreme Rules which rules them out the chance of winning it again. If Shield wins the match, it is going to destroy the legacy that Evolution had throughout the years.

This is because a losing Evolution will be just a bunch of old guys who have 30 titles between them and could live up to their words. So Evolution is walking out as the winners most probably which might also be a fitting farewell for Batista.

Prediction: Evolution wins