WWE Payback 2017 Preview: 30th April, 2017
Wrestlemania was yesterday’s news, and WWE has kicked off a new season of sports entertainment into high gear with Payback. While the Superstar Shake-up has ensured that many arch rivals are now separated from one another, they get to lock horns one last time at Payback 2017.
The first stop after Wrestlemania will also be the last stop for many rivalries and the birthplace of many new feuds if our gut instincts prove right. With only a few hours to go until Payback, we look at the lineup and critically analyse 5 of the most integral components of the same.
#5 First ever Raw & SmackDown Live Women’s Champion (held consecutively)?
Last week, Charlotte had the opportunity to become the first woman to capture both the SmackDown Live and Raw Women’s Championship (not simultaneously), during her match with Naomi. Unfortunately, she failed in her attempt to do so.
Alexa Bliss has the same opportunity when she takes on Raw Women’s Champion Bayley, in just a few hours. Considering that the PPV is happening in Bayley’s hometown of San Jose, California, we won’t be surprised if Alexa Bliss wins. After all, WWE is infamous for making their champions lose at home.
With Bayley as champion, the belt has not felt as important as it did during the Sasha Banks-Charlotte rivalry from last year, an iconic feud in Women’s Wrestling history. While Alexa may not be in the same league as either of those women in terms of in-ring work, her mic skills alone make her a worthy Women’s Champion.
Alternatively, will WWE make Bayley retain the championship so that she can feud with Sasha Banks (who will presumably be playing a heel), over the summer?