Payback is the RAW epilogue to matches held during WrestleMania 33. The competitors are mad and Payback is hell. Let’s jump in:
Miz TV Payback Kickoff Interview with Finn Balor:
Standard bit with the Miz, all in all. Finn Balor came out to his usual huge pop and had everyone’s attention. Miz did his usual covert and overt disrespect. He crossed the Rubicon when he questioned Finn’s statement when he said that he’s going to get his title back after returning from his shoulder injury. After provoking Finn, the Miz hid behind Maryse. When the ostrich pulled his head from the sand (or in this case, from behind skirt), he was promptly beat down in humiliating fashion, there by joining “The Finn Balor Just Kicked My Ass Club.” Then again, things like that are the usual conclusions to Miz TV episodes. Nothing much to see here.
United States Championship Title Match: Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho
Payback kicked off with this title match between the former best friends. Y2J came out to an especially huge reaction. The rumors of Jericho taking a hiatus, the outcome of the match possibly sending him off to Smackdown, and the U.S. title being at stake surely had to be the factors behind it. The match began with Kevin attempting to play his usual mind games by rolling out of the ring after the bell rang. Jericho took control of the match early on but Kevin turned the tables enough to make it a nail biter. Jericho ultimately won the match thanks to The Prize Fighter submitting to the Walls of Jericho. Jericho now joins Smackdown but it’s unclear where he goes from here given the uncertainty of his status.
Cruiserweight Championship Title Match: Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries
As usual, this match was an energetic affair. Both competitors are standout athletes, even among the already impressive array of talent in the Cruiserweight Division. Neville couldn’t quite keep the pace with Austin Aries early on but he did manage a short-lived rally. It wasn’t enough to overcome Austin’s tenacity, which caused Neville to force a disqualification by pulling down the ref to retain the title.
Raw Tag Team Championship Title Match: The Hardy Boyz (c) vs. Sheamus & Cesaro
This match was The Hardy’s official pay-per-view return. Team Extreme’s high octane offense had Sheamus and Cesaro on the ropes early on but their power and athleticism got them back in the match. The duo ultimately fell to the toughness and savvy of Team Extreme. The end of the match saw Sheamus and Cesaro turn heel by attacking The Hardy Boyz after feigning showing respect to them. Could this be the trigger for the return of the Broken Hardys? We’ll see soon enough. It was revealed that Jeff Hardy was receiving medical attention for the broken tooth he suffered during the match.
Women’s Championship Title Match: Bayley (c) vs. Alexa Bliss
The Hugger and the Mini Meany squared off in a match that didn’t disappoint. The match was intense and Bayley displayed her toughness. Alexa had some moments as well, including a sunset flip powerbomb on Bayley from the top rope. Bayley got a shot to the head from a ring post, which ultimately gave the opening for Alexa to win the match to become the first woman to win at least once on the Raw and Smackdown brands.
“House of Horrors” Match: Randy Orton (c) vs. Bray Wyatt:
The match was the first of its kind. It was no holds barred, non-title match that was to begin at Bray Wyatt’s house. The match would only conclude in the ring by pinfall, submission, or forfeiture. Randy arrived at Bray’s house and to break in to get the match started. Bray engaged him in hit and run tactics for the most part of The Viper’s housecall but they had a “fair” fight in the kitchen. The fight appeared to end with Randy incapacitated after having a refrigerator fall on him. Bray left Randy there and left for the arena in a limo standing by.
Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe:
This match served as an “intermission” of sorts since Bray had to travel to the arena in order for the match to conclude. Seth wrestled defensively since his knee is still injured from previous run ins from Samoa Joe and Triple H respectively over the past month and a half or so. Joe was ultimately able to get to Seth’s knee and things seemed bleak for the Kingslayer. After mounting some improbable offense and an even more improbable reversal of Joe’s submission attempt into a pin, Seth pulled off the victory.
“House of Horrors” Match conclusion:
Bray Wyatt arrived to the ring and it appeared that he’d win by forfeiture since Randy was nowhere to be seen. Randy had somehow beaten Bray there and came out at the end of the Moonshine Messiah’s entrance. The match was as brutal as the first portion. Despite being no holds barred, the match took a turn for the tainted when the Singh Brothers and Jinder Mahal run in and attack Orton. The distraction allowed Bray to finish off his betrayer with a Sister Abigail.
Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman:
This was the Main Event. Roman showed up heavily bandaged and fought Braun with some strategy at first. Braun was already the physical superior of the two and Roman’s depleted state did him no favors. Despite some surprising toughness from Roman, Braun ultimately prevailed for the win. Braun attacked Roman further after the match ended. He finished by causing internal bleeding by ramming some steps into his ribs and later trying to attack him as medical attention was looking to be administered to the Big Dog as the PPV ended.
