This is the current official card for Payback, which will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017:
“House of Horrors” Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Bray Wyatt
United States Championship Title Match
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho
Raw Tag Team Championship Title Match
The Hardy Boyz (c) vs. Sheamus & Cesaro
Cruiserweight Championship Title Match
Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries
The matches thus far are rematches from WrestleMania 33. It’s rumored that Chris Jericho will take a sabbatical after this pay per view.
The Payback rematch between Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt raised eyebrows but it seems to be setting the stage for the debut of Sister Abigail herself. This theory is credible because it’s actually has been rumored for nearly the past year and a half that WWE has been planning to introduce a female member to the Wyatt Family. Bray’s current status as a solo act makes it ripe for this plan and to expand the faction. A family (or a cult in Bray’s case) is nothing without members and Bray is depleted in that sense. The betrayal by Randy Orton, the ousting of Luke Harper, the previous draft’s separation of Braun Stroman, and the uncertainty surrounding Eric Rowan give further credibility to this scenario.
Booker T will replace David Otunga on Raw’s announcing team for next six weeks while Otunga is filming the movie Katrina.
Kurt Angle’s return to the WWE won’t be limited to GM on Raw. Pending clearance from a physical, Angle will again wrestle.
The controversy stemming from JBL’s bullying behavior has escalated. The most recent episode of Smackdown featured a reserved JBL, especially after audience chants of “Fire Bradshaw” before broadcast. A fan was also ejected for an anti JBL poster as well. Jerry Lawler has remarked that he thinks that JBL will be fired. Bas Rutten and Pat Miletich of MMA fame have joined in the JBL backlash as well. It was reported by Wrestling Observer that WWE is working on a nondisclosure settlement with Mauro Ranallo that would kick in after his current deal expires in August, which already prevents him from discussing the matter until then. He’s not expected to return as a result of Bradshaw’s antics. Bradshaw has been documented admitting to his behavior while he was away from WWE in 2011. His victim? The Miz.
Forbes has released its annual list of the highest paid WWE wrestlers. John Cena took a back seat to Brock Lesnar in 2016. Here’s the top ten:
10:Randy Orton – $1.9 million
9: Seth Rollins – $2 million
8: The Undertaker – $2 million
7: Shane McMahon – $2.2 million
6: AJ Styles– $2.4 million
5: Dean Ambrose – $2.7 million
4: Roman Reigns – $3.5 million
3: Triple H– $ 3.8 million
2: John Cena – $8 million
1: Brock Lesnar – $12 milli
