WWE Payback 2017: 5 Possible finishes for the Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe match at WWE Payback
The improviser versus the eviscerator, the rebel versus the corporate sell-out, the Architect versus the Destroyer...however you label Seth Rollins’ upcoming clash with Samoa Joe at Payback, you’re likely in concurrence that a rip-roarer of an encounter is in the offing between the former golden boy of the Authority and their latest, ominous-looking enforcer.
While the story arc that has culminated in Samoa Joe picking up the Authority’s vendetta against Rollins – especially after he wrote them out of programming at WrestleMania 33 – seems a little patchy, chances are that their dance at Payback will more than make up for it.
Logic suggests that Rollins’ good fight against the Authority needs knocking down a peg or two, especially after he went clean over Triple H at ‘Mania. And unless you’re a legitimate powerhouse like Goldberg or Brock Lesnar, the money for a babyface is generally in the chase.
On the other hand, Samoa Joe needs to be booked as strongly as possible, especially if the WWE intends to address the less than spectacular impact he’s had on Raw since his call up...or risk losing him as a blue chip prospect for occupying a long term main event heel spot, for good.
But will logic prevail at Payback? With the WWE, that’s always been the million dollar question.
#1 The Destroyer
This is the most logical way to engender authentic heat for Samoa Joe, while also protecting Seth Rollins in the process.
In case you’ve been watching recent episodes of Monday Night Raw on mute (which I would understand), you would have heard the commentators still nagging away about the ‘compromised’ knee of the Architect.
He doesn’t seem to be outwardly nursing any injuries, nor does the WWE air backstage footage of him taping it up before matches...which only suggests that Creative may still be planning to use it as an angle at Payback.
Samoa Joe could ambush Rollins from behind as he is heading down the ramp and unleash a feral attack on his knee – even before the match starts. Throw in a couple of kendo sticks and chair spots maybe, and we have ourselves a fell picture of Samoa Joe, deranged look in his eyes, standing over a mass of WWE officials and paramedics converging over a severely maimed Seth Rollins.
It would extend their feud, in keeping with the long-term booking that Rollins has been bestowed with over the past year, and truly cement the notion that Samoa Joe is truly a destroyer, not just a chancer who ran with the reputation after he accidentally injured his opponent’s knee.