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Just seven days after SummerSlam, WWE has presented us with another pay-per-view. Payback was a fun show, much like last week's pay-per-view. There were some explosive moments and quite a few title changes. And once again, much like SummerSlam, every match on this show delivered.
Payback did well in establishing various characters and furthering stories. This is an indication that WWE is heading towards a strong fall. There is lots to get excited about in WWE, based on how Payback went. It was another successful installment on the pay-per-view calendar.
Every match at WWE Payback 2020 was good
WWE knew what they were doing when they booked Payback just one week after SummerSlam. There was some resolution from the biggest event of the summer, a couple of big stars being made, and a lot of intrigue heading into RAW and SmackDown in this coming week.
While every match delivered, a couple stood out. Here is every match at WWE Payback 2020 ranked, from worst to best.
#7 Matt Riddle vs. King Corbin
Payback featured quite a few highly physical matches, with this contest between Matt Riddle and King Corbin being one of them. After close to two months of feuding with the despicable heel, Riddle finally got his first WWE pay-per-view win.
The match got off to an intense start, with Corbin attacking the former NXT Tag Team Champion before the opening bell. He had periods of sustained offense, but Riddle always got back into the fight. The King of Bros was irate due to Corbin's comments on his home life before the match.
He utilized his MMA experience on Corbin with a couple of submission attempts, before a flurry of moves eventually won him the match. Both Superstars did well at Payback, but there were simply better matches on the show. Matt Riddle hit some stiff kicks, the Bro To Sleep, and finally, the Floating Bro to pick up the impressive victory.
However, it seems like the feud will continue as he was assaulted by King Corbin backstage after winning. It remains to be seen how WWE goes forward after Payback, as this was a worthy way to end their issue.
#6 Apollo Crews vs. Bobby Lashley (United States Championship)
Payback began with a pretty solid United States Championship match between Apollo Crews and Bobby Lashley, with MVP and Shelton Benjamin at ringside. Both Superstars brought it, as the US Title featured on the main show after months of being represented on pay-per-view Kickoff Shows.
Crews was mightily impressive, showcasing his diverse offense. He hit Lashley with a standing moonsault, a couple of German duplexes, and a frog splash. However, none of that was enough to retain the title. The muscle of the Hurt Business ended up victorious by submitting Crews with the Full Nelson.
This match was definitely well-paced and served as a perfectly fine opener to Payback, as Lashley looked like the dominator that he is. And while he lost his United States Title, Crews delivered one of his greatest ever performances as a WWE Superstar.
His post-match attack might indicate that he is not done feuding with the Hurt Business. Whether or not he wins back the US Title from Bobby Lashley, Apollo Crews could have a bright future. This match at Payback may have done wonders for his stock in WWE.
#5 Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (WWE Women's Tag Team Championship)
WWE told a decent story in this Women's Tag Team Title match, as Sasha Banks and Bayley were knocked down multiple pegs. They defended their titles against the hostile duo of Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, who had been feuding until Payback. All four women did well here.
With only one week of build for Baszler and Jax as a team, WWE had their work cut out to make them a cohesive unit at Payback. The two of them ended up as the surprising victors, with the Golden Role Models' story taking another surprising turn.
Both Bayley and Banks executed some innovative offense, particularly on Jax. The two of them even hit consecutive top rope moves on the Irresistible Force, but she kicked out. Eventually, it was Baszler who was the most innovative competitor in this match.
The Queen of Spades locked Bayley in a Kirafuda Clutch, while trapping her partner in a leglock at the same time. She eventually used Banks' hand to choke the SmackDown Women's Champion and force her to tap out. It was a great end to an alright match. Shayna Baszler looked like the badass killer that she is, at Payback.
#4 Keith Lee vs. Randy Orton
In an absolutely stunning moment, Keith Lee picked up a clean win over Randy Orton in less than 7 minutes. This was an emphatic statement made by WWE, giving the Limitless One a huge moment at Payback. If there were any doubts on RAW, Lee is now affirmed as a major star on WWE's main roster.
Orton, who is supposed to be the number one contender for the WWE Championship, got absolutely destroyed by the former NXT Champion. The Viper sold tremendously well for Lee, making him look even more of a beast than he already was prior to Payback.
This match was essentially just a vehicle to put Keith Lee over huge. The action was still alright, with the two trading side suplexes onto the announce table. Orton hit a draping DDT but saw his RKO attempt countered into a Spirit Bomb from Lee. That was shockingly enough to keep him down for the three count.
The short match that preceded Lee's big win was fine, but this was much more of a moment. It remains to be seen what is next for him after Payback, but one thing is for certain. The WWE Universe is basking in Keith Lee's glory.
#3 Big E vs. Sheamus
This hard-hitting brawl served to put Big E over, with the New Day member looking great in victory over a 4-time WWE World Champion. Sheamus proved a worthy opponent for Big E at Payback, with both Superstars doing a good job.
The former NXT Champion proved that he is ready for a push up the card as a singles star, impressing against Sheamus at Payback. The Celtic Warrior targetted the leg for a sizable portion of the match, earning some praise from Daniel Bryan on Twitter.
Big E withstood his opponent's gameplan and had to work hard to win the physical contest. He did so after catching Sheamus with a powerbomb and finishing him off with the Big Ending. The charismatic heavyweight showed immense fire during and after this match, demonstrating his intention to reach the top of SmackDown.
That might be exactly where Big E is going. Payback may have been a big part of his journey, a journey that the WWE fans will be more than willing to join him on.
#2 Seth Rollins and Murphy vs. Rey and Dominik Mysterio
This tag team match was appropriate for the occasion, with payback being on the minds of the Mysterios. Following months of torment, Rey and Dominik finally earned their vengeance on Seth Rollins and Murphy. And they did it after an exciting affair too.
The young rookie caught his dastardly opponents with some impressive offense. However, Rollins and Murphy took control of the match and dominated portions of it. That being said, Rey Mysterio stunned both of them with his more seasoned offense.
The WWE legend matched up extremely well with Rollins, with the two of them sharing a fantastic sequence of moves towards the end of the match. They are set to face each other one-on-one on the post-Payback RAW. Miscommunication between the Monday Night Messiah and his disciple led to Mysterio being able to tag his son in to secure the victory.
The action was all over the place, with the end coming when Dominik hitting Murphy with the 619 and pinning him after a Frog Splash. This was a satisfying victory for the beloved father-son duo, after a very entertaining tag team match. Dominik Mysterio was excellent at Payback, as he got to team up with his legendary father in a WWE ring. A truly emotional moment.
#1 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns (No Holds Barred Match for the Universal Championship)
While the previously mentioned Keith Lee vs. Randy Orton was more of a moment than a match, Payback's explosive triple threat main event had equal measures of both. Before Roman Reigns swooped in, 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman engaged in a wildly entertaining brawl.
The Monster Among Men attacked The Fiend before his entrance had even concluded, sparking a fiery brawl. The action between the pair at Payback was fairly better than what they conjured up at SummerSlam. Also, Alexa Bliss was seen watching the match backstage. Another interesting development from Payback.
Strowman and Wyatt fought up the entrance ramp after the latter put the former through the announce table and used his signature mallet on him. This violent brawl eventually led to The Fiend catching Strowman with a superplex, which broke the ring.
So after a hellacious battle and with both Superstars down, Roman Reigns made his way out, signed the contract for the match, and entered the ring with one motive. Wreck everyone and leave. The Big Dog hit Strowman with some vicious chair shots and downed Wyatt with a low blow, before spearing the Monster Among Men to win the Universal Championship.
This was an excellent piece of booking to cap off a successful night of great action and heart-stopping moments at Payback. Reigns is now a heel, no questions asked, after the underhanded approach he took to win the Universal Title. His alliance with Paul Heyman is also extremely exciting. Something that has definitely freshened WWE up.
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