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Only one week after a very eventful SummerSlam, WWE will present their next pay-per-view. WWE Payback returns after a three-year absence, with some interesting developments likely to be addressed. There are plenty of them, both from SummerSlam and WWE's weekly programming.
Even with only a week of a proper build, WWE Payback could be an incredibly stacked card, possibly as stacked as SummerSlam, if not more so. Several issues have been brewing on RAW and SmackDown beforehand, but SummerSlam was only limited to eight matches, including the Kickoff Show.
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WWE Payback is only one week after SummerSlam
We could see a similar number of matches at WWE Payback. This could seriously be a fun show, thanks to some big moments from the past few days. The ThunderDome has had an explosive start, and things are getting more interesting.
Here are seven matches that could happen at WWE Payback 2020, just one week after SummerSlam.
#7 Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Asuka and Shayna Baszler (WWE Women's Tag Team Championship)
The first match that was announced for Payback was Sasha Banks and Bayley defending their WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. We do not know who their opponents will be, but there are quite a few options. But with only a week between pay-per-views, it wouldn't make much sense to introduce brand new challengers immediately.
WWE should instead extend the feud between the 'Golden Role Models' and Asuka, with Shayna Baszler in the picture too. All the four women were involved in a tag team match on last week's RAW, with the current Champions losing. After winning the RAW Women's Championship, Asuka may also want an opportunity to become a double champion.
Also, Shayna Baszler may be next in line to get a RAW Women's Title shot. So this could be a vehicle to set that match up, instead of directly having them wrestle at WWE Payback. One week is way too little to build a major match like Baszler vs. Asuka.
A Tag Team Title match involving all four of these women would have a very interesting dynamic, with possible dissension between Banks and Bayley. They should remain together for the time being, at least until WWE builds some stronger contenders for them, possibly Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan.
#6 Apollo Crews vs. Bobby Lashley (United States Championship) at WWE Payback
Apollo Crews retained his United States Championship against MVP on the SummerSlam Kickoff Show, escaping the Hurt Business after the match. However, his issues with the group is far from over. MVP could unleash the biggest member of his clan on Crews at WWE Payback -- Bobby Lashley.
Since Crews began feuding with MVP, it always seemed likely that Lashley would eventually defeat him to win the US Title. And after the current US Champion defeated MVP, we are going in that very direction. Expect the All Mighty to run through Crews and enjoy a lengthy reign as the United States Champion, with MVP and Shelton Benjamin by his side.
#5 Matt Riddle vs. King Corbin
Matt Riddle and King Corbin have been feuding for over a month now and it seemed like it would conclude at SummerSlam. However, Matt Riddle and King Corbin did not make their way to the 'Biggest Party of the Summer' as it was decided that their match would be pushed to WWE Payback.
Corbin is a tremendous worker and is sure to make Riddle look like a megastar, but not before the two have a hard-hitting match. This would be a solid opener to this stacked card, as the babyface emerges victorious in his first pay-per-view match as a part of SmackDown.
#4 Jeff Hardy vs. AJ Styles (Intercontinental Championship) at WWE Payback
On last week's episode of SmackDown, the first WWE event inside the ThunderDome, Jeff Hardy defeated AJ Styles to win the Intercontinental Championship. Considering two pay-per-views were coming up within the next ten days, it was a pleasant surprise that WWE decided to have the title change hands on SmackDown. That being said, a rematch could still take place at WWE Payback.
Styles would be incensed at losing the title, as his undoing was brought upon by himself. The Phenomenal One sneakily attacked his opponent's leg at the start of the show, only for Hardy's knee brace to play a major part in turning the tide of their Title match.
The former Champion would want a rematch and WWE Payback couldn't have come at a better time for AJ Styles. The Intercontinental Championship has not been defended on a pay-per-view since WrestleMania, so it would be nice to see further action between Hardy and Styles on Sunday.
This would be a predictably solid match and would fit right in at Payback, especially since it did not happen at SummerSlam. We could possibly see AJ Styles regain the IC Title at the show, earning a little "payback" in the process. Don't be too surprised if a certain Joseph Parks makes an appearance.
#3 Seth Rollins and Murphy vs. Rey and Dominik Mysterio (Tag Team Match) at WWE Payback
If there is any match that fits the Payback name to a tee, it is this grudge match. At SummerSlam, we saw Dominik Mysterio wow the world with a spectacular performance in his in-ring debut. He may have lost, but his match with Seth Rollins was among the best of the entire show.
The ending saw Rollins stare down a handcuffed Rey Mysterio, as he Stomped his son and picked up the victory. Mysterio and Murphy were both involved in the Street Fight, which makes a tag team match between the two sides a likely prospect for WWE Payback.
The Mysterios have both suffered losses, and an eye, to Rollins. So they will want to come back strong together, taking on the 'Monday Night Messiah' and his disciple. Rey Mysterio has stated his desire to wrestle alongside his son as well. It will surely be a massive moment for him, his family, and the WWE Universe as a whole.
That moment could come at WWE Payback, which is exactly what Rey and Dominik Mysterio will be going after. The virtual reaction to Dominik receiving a hot tag from his father could be massive. Much like the Street Fight at SummerSlam, this match could be another banger in this highly personal feud.
#2 Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship) at WWE Payback
We saw Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton battle it out in a tremendous WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, but the finish might indicate that the feud is not over. McIntyre countered the RKO with a backslide cover to retain his title, leaving some scope for a potential rematch at WWE Payback.
The two Superstars evidently have chemistry, with their SummerSlam contest possibly being the best on the entire card. If we get more logical and compelling in-match storytelling, WWE Payback could host an even better match. Orton is one star who has begun to tell much better stories in his matches this year, which was there for everyone to see during his program with Edge.
He might still be on course to defeat McIntyre and win the WWE Championship, with the Scottish Terminator churning out a victory in their first encounter. Another sign that the two will most likely face each other at WWE Payback was the fact that no finisher was hit during their match.
This was likely done to protect all of the big moves, which would come in handy for Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre in the future. We could see an RKO from "outta nowhere" at WWE Payback, as the Viper becomes a 14-time World Champion.
#1 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns (Universal Championship) at WWE Payback
After the events at the end of SummerSlam, that we never saw coming, WWE fans are abuzz about Roman Reigns and his emphatic return to the company. He seems to have developed a new 'edgier' attitude, brutally assaulting The Fiend and Braun Strowman after their Falls Count Anywhere Match for the Universal Championship. This could have major implications for WWE Payback.
Bray Wyatt's new alter-ego may have won the Universal Championship, but his moment was completely overshadowed by the Big Dog's return to WWE. He instantly made his intentions very clear. The fact that Reigns attacked Strowman as well suggests that WWE Payback could feature a monumental triple threat match for the Universal Championship.
This would be the best possible decision, providing WWE with the perfect escape from the hole they dug themselves into. If Strowman is also involved with Wyatt and Reigns, he can take the fall instead of The Fiend. But one thing seems clear. Roman Reigns is going to win the Universal Championship, and it will probably happen at WWE Payback.
It may be five months later than originally intended, but now there is nothing to stop the Big Dog from winning the big blue belt. 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns could have an explosive triple threat at WWE Payback. And while it would be unfortunate to see Wyatt lose the Universal Title after just one week, at least he wouldn't be pinned in the process.
The Fiend should never have been a part of the world title picture to begin with and now that the face of SmackDown is back, he can return to 'hurting' and 'healing' those who cross his path without worrying about the belt.
