WWE: Payback Preview

In a few days, WWE brings us the Payback PPV from Rosemont, Illinois, which will also mark the TV return of CM Punk. More matches have been added this week to fill up the card, and the main event of the PPV will be John Cena taking on Ryback in the Three Stages of Hell match. Although two matches have gone against what I had originally predicted, the WWE possibly is planning two heel turns at Payback, which will definitely shake things around in the WWE.

John Cena vs Ryback for the WWE championship in a Three Stages of Hell match

A Lumberjack match, a Tables match and an Ambulance match are hardly ‘hellacious’ matches, but when you have two guys like Cena and Ryback, you need gimmick matches to make them look good. Besides, these stipulations were chosen to possibly make Cena look like a million bucks coming out of this match, and we will have to see how WWE plans on doing that. Ryback has gained the upper hand over Cena in the past few weeks, which resulted in an all–out brawl between the two competitors this past week on RAW, and both were held back by the Lumberjacks. Will Ryback finally succeed in beating John Cena? Or will Cena retain the title and walk out of Payback still the WWE Champion? We need to wait till the end of the PPV to find out. But one thing is for sure, the fans will make their voices heard on the night.

Dolph Ziggler (With AJ) vs Alberto Del Rio (With Ricardo) for the World Heavyweight championship

Dolph Ziggler finally returns to in–ring competition after suffering a concussion a few weeks ago on Smackdown. Sadly, even Jack Swagger will be out indefinitely due to an injury as Alberto Del Rio looks to win back the World Heavyweight title. ADR defeated Jack Swagger at Extreme Rules to become the number 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. With the champion returning after a concussion, will he be able to fend off a determined number 1 contender? Or will Del Rio prove too hot to handle for the show off? One thing is for sure, this match will be technically sound, as both these performers are great workers, and so we can expect a good wrestling match.

Wade Barrett vs The Miz vs Curtis Axel (With Paul Heyman) for the WWE Intercontinental championship

The challenger Miz already has an upper hand over Wade, and Fandango, who was supposed to be in the match and was rumoured to win the title, suffered a concussion last week which forced the WWE to replace him with Curtis Axel this past week on RAW. This would mean that the newest acquisition of Paul Heyman (who is undefeated so far, although he seldom wins via pin fall) has a chance to win the prestigious Intercontinental title, a championship which his father won more than two decades ago! Mr. Perfect was an amazing IC champion, and winning the title would honour his memory, and that is what Axel will try to do come Sunday. There is a good chance that Barrett will lose the title, as he has been on a losing streak.