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With Payback in the record books, the show was received very well by the fans and critics alike! Not only did it see the return of the hometown hero CM Punk, but it also had one of the best matches of the year between Punk and Jericho. In this article, we give our ratings to each of the superstar who performed on the card.
Sheamus
Sheamus won his match against Damien Sandow, which was a pre–show match. Sheamus has won all of his encounters against Sandow, and there was no reason for WWE to book this bout, as we’ve seen it time and again on Smackdown. Anyway, it was a decent match that warmed up the crowd.
Rating: **
Damien Sandow
Will Sandow ever win a match against Sheamus? Apparently not. They faced each other once more on the pre–show which Sheamus once again won. It was a good back and forth match, but Sandow needs to get a few wins under his belt.
Rating: * ½
The Miz
Miz was involved in the triple threat match for the WWE Intercontinental title which opened the main show. Miz dominated for the bulk of the match, and trapped Wade Barrett in the figure four in the middle of the ring before Axel took advantage of it.
Rating: **
Wade Barrett
As I predicted, Barrett lost the title, and was made to look vulnerable once again. I don’t know why the WWE didn’t push Wade, but it’s sad to see him end up down the barrel.
Rating: * ¾
Curtis Axel
Axel won the WWE Intercontinental title this Sunday, and looked up to the heavens after the match as the crowd popped. A perfect gift on father’s day by Axel, although he was made to look like a fluke once again. I’m very opposed to how he’s being booked, and I hope it’ll change at least now. I’m happy for Curtis, and this can be the beginning of a ‘perfect’ career.
Rating: ** ¼
AJ Lee
AJ finally defeated Kaitlyn this past Sunday to win the WWE Divas title, and the Chicago crowd applauded her victory. The match received about 10 minutes, which generally doesn’t happen for a Divas match. Both performed well, and put on a decent match.
Rating: **
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn lost her Divas title to AJ in what was a decent bout. Kaitlyn got caught up in the moment which resulted in her losing the title. Post match, she broke down and had to be helped to the back by Layla. It’ll be interesting to see where she goes from now.
Rating: **
Alberto Del Rio
Alberto took on Ziggler for the World Heavyweight title, and mid way, Ziggler started showing the effects of his concussion. Alberto took advantage of it and started working on Ziggler’s head. The end came when Alberto delivered a brutal standing side – kick to Ziggler for the pin and to win the World Heavyweight title! Del Rio then cut a promo and was booed by the Chicago crowd.
Rating: ** ½
Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler made Del Rio look like a million bucks, and that’s the advantage of having one of the best workers in the company on the PPV. Ziggler showed effects of his concussion mid way, and didn’t let the doctors or the referee stop the match. The Chicago crowd loved Ziggler, and it looks as if he’s turning face. He lost the title to Del Rio, but not before putting on a solid match.
Rating: ** ¾
Dean Ambrose
Ambrose faced off against Kane in a decent match, and the end saw Ambrose spiking Kane face first on the outside, and pick up a count out victory. That was an odd ending, but it might be the beginning of great things for Ambrose, as it was his first PPV title defense.
Rating: ** ½
Kane
Kane lost the match via count out, and the match was decent, but not as good as those Ambrose and Bryan were involved in.
Rating: **
The Shield
Rollins and Reigns took on the team of Orton and Bryan, and put on a solid tag team match. They worked in tandem, and picked up the victory to retain the titles.
Rating: ***
Orton and Bryan came close to beating the tag team champions, but a miscalculation by Bryan saw him crashing into Orton, and Orton repaid the favor by throwing Bryan into Reigns’ way for the spear.
Rating: ** ½
Daniel Bryan
The hottest star in the company nearly won the WWE tag team titles once again, but he inadvertently struck Orton, and The Shield took advantage of it and Rollins pinned Bryan to retain the titles. Hopefully, this will result in Bryan taking on Cena for the WWE title at MiTB PPV.
Rating: ***
Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho was at the top of his game, and delivered yet again against CM Punk. Their match was arguably the match of the year so far, and even though the crowd was firmly behind CM Punk, a portion of the crowd cheered for Jericho. Chris is loved universally, so that wasn’t surprising. At the end of the night, this was the match everyone was talking about.
Rating: ****
CM Punk
The Second City Saint returned to WWE at the Allstate Arena in his hometown, and was welcomed with the biggest pops in recent memory. Punk took on Jericho in yet another classic confrontation, and after a hard fought bout, came out on top with two GTS’s on Jericho. Yet another great night for Chicago’s own Straight Edge Savior, and he was undoubtedly the star of the night.
Rating: **** ¾
Cena took on Ryback in a Three Stages of Hell match, and performed to the best of his limited abilities. Although no one expected both the superstars to put on a great match, the match was decent, and Cena finished Ryback off with a spot which saw Ryback going through the roof of the ambulance, giving the win to Cena. Where will Cena go from here? We have to wait and see.
Rating: ** ½
Ryback
Ryback lost to John Cena, but not before he pinned him for the first fall. One has to believe that this will end the Cena – Ryback feud. What’s next for Ryback? He might get into a feud against Sheamus through the Summer.
Rating: **
