Hi guys. I’m back with a review of WWE Payback which took place on Sunday in Chicago. The match rating system will be out of 5. 1 = a poor match, 2 = a decent match, 3 = a good match, 4 = a very good match, 5 = a great match. It’s as simple as that. There will be no retarded 1.5 or 2.5 ratings here. Ok then, let’s get started.

Pre-Show: Sheamus v Damien Sandow

Winner: Sheamus.

I thought this was a good match. It was probably the best pre-show match WWE has had and with that being said, it was probably too good for the pre-show. There was no surprise in the winner. I wish WWE would do more with Sandow than making him a jobber but that seems unlikely to happen. I expect both Sheamus and Sandow to be in the Smackdown Money in the Bank match at the next PPV.

Match Rating: 3 out of 5.

Wade Barrett(c) v Curtis Axel v The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship

Winner and new Intercontinental Champion: Curtis Axel.

This was a very good match to start the PPV and it had the prefect result (pardon the pun) for Father’s Day. I was impressed with all 3 men’s performances especially Curtis Axel and I marked out when he did the Perfect-Plex. The highlight of the match was definitely the unique finish when Axel pinned Barrett as Miz had Barrett in the figure-four leg-lock. I’m not sure what’s next for these 3. Axel is kind of feuding with Triple H and we’ll see where that goes tonight on Raw. Miz and Barrett could possibly be in either of the Money in the Bank matches.

Match Rating: 4 out of 5.

Kaitlyn(c) v AJ for the Divas Championship

Winner and new Divas Champion: AJ.

I was surprised by this match because it was so good. It was the best Divas match in the WWE for a long time, probably since Trish Stratus v Mickie James at Wrestlemania 22. The highlight of the match was AJ walking to the ring as she looked super fine, lol. I hope and expect this feud to continue and Kaitlyn to receive a rematch.

Match Rating: 4 out of 5.

Kane v Dean Ambrose(c) for the United States Championship

Winner and still United States Champion: Dean Ambrose.

Decent match but not as good as I thought it could have been. I said in my Payback preview that could have been match of the night candidate so I look like a bit of an idiot now. I’m not sure what the point of the finish was. I was surprised Dean Ambrose didn’t get a clean pinfall victory.

Match Rating: 2 out of 5.

Rob Van Dam return is announced

Interesting news. A promo aired during the PPV announcing the return of former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam at the next PPV, Money in the Bank. Here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awfsIFPmlns. I was a big fan of RVD’s during his first run in the WWE but his last few months in TNA makes me a little sceptical about his return. His performances will need to improve.

Dolph Ziggler(c) v Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship

Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio.

I was surprised at how this match played out and I was disappointed at the result. We will start with the match itself. ADR wrestled as the heel and Ziggler as the face. I assume this is a double turn or at least ADR turning heel. If not, why would he come back and gloat? As for the result, we get to live through another boring few months with ADR as World Champion. It’s a disgrace that he has 4 world championships. I don’t know what Vince sees in him. Ziggler deserves better.

Match Rating: 2 out of 5.

Chris Jericho v CM Punk

Winner: CM Punk

I like to start by saying thank God CM Punk is back! and I’m glad he hasn’t changed his entrance music which was rumoured  The match itself was very good and I thought the finish was great and I lol’d when Punk roared ‘Vintage Punk’ at Michael Cole. This was match of the night which is no surprise considering who was involved. It will be interesting to see what CM Punk does next now that he is back.

Match Rating: 4 out of 5.

Randy Orton & Daniel Bryan v Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins(c) for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Winner and still WWE Tag Team Champions: Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

This was another very good match. These 4 all have great chemistry in the ring together. I like how Seth Rollins used the Blackout in match’s finish as I don’t think he’s used it since he came up to the main roster. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins have been awesome as a tag team and you could argue they’re the best tag team in the world. Daniel Bryan will hopefully go back to being a singles wrestler. I can see him v Randy Orton at the Money in the Bank PPV.

Match Rating: 4 out of 5.

John Cena(c) v Ryback in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWE Championship

Winner and still WWE Champion: John Cena.

As I said in my Payback Preview I have written 2 out of 3 falls instead of 3 Stages of Hell because there is nothing hellish about this match whatsoever. I wasn’t looking forward to this at all but it was a decent match. Ryback won the 1st fall and Cena won the next two as I predicted correctly. Ryback dominated 90% of the match but Cena prevailed. I didn’t like the finish when Cena AA’d Ryback through the roof of the ambulance as I don’t think its very believable. I really hope this is the end of this feud now. I don’t know what WWE will do with Ryback now, he hasn’t won a PPV match in nearly a year but thankfully it’s not my problem.

Match rating: 2 out of 5.

Well that’s all for now. Overall, I thought the PPV was very good. I recommend you check out the triple threat match, divas match, tag title match and Jericho v Punk if you haven’t already. Please leave your comments below. You can follow me on twitter @JohnnyWhyte93 and site @WrestlinRambles.