Two pay-per-views in a row seemed like a questionable idea when WWE first revealed their plans – but the company well and truly delivered on both nights.
Just like last Sunday’s SummerSlam event, tonight’s Payback showcase treated fans to some fantastic in-ring action, sensible storyline decisions and big surprises from the ThunderDome.
Throughout the evening, Paul Heyman played coy whenever he was asked if Roman Reigns would be signing the contract for the Universal Title main event.
The Big Dog hadn’t put pen to paper by the time the No Holds Barred match kicked off, so The Fiend and Braun Strowman were left to slug it out between them.
The two heavyweights worked well with the stipulation, treating viewers to something different to everything else on the card.
Undeniably the standout moment came as Bray Wyatt’s alter ego superplexed the Monster, causing the ring to collapse in a very, very well executed spot.
Besides looking immense, it also left the door open for Reigns – accompanied by Heyman, of course – to walk to the ring, signing the contract and joining the match.
His pinfall attempts didn’t quite work out, but a low blow to escape the Mandible Claw gave him a chance to hit Strowman was a Spear and pick up a huge win to reclaim the Universal Championship.
Roman was always going to win the title, and this was a smart way to to it while keeping the Fiend relatively strong.
The lack of RETRIBUTION was surprising, disappointing and intriguing, and could strengthen the likelihood of the Big Dog being the leader.
Best of the rest
Payback got off to a great start with a cracking United States Championship bout between Apollo Crews and Bobby Lashley.
After an impressive showing, the All Mighty won the title with his full nelson, but Crews – understandably disappointed – showed some real fire as he attacked the Hurt Business after the bell.
Big E and Sheamus stepped up as the former continued his singles push with a significant singles win after a fantastic, hard hitting match.
It will be interesting to see where things go from here, but it’s clear from tonight (and his career as a whole) that there are big things – pun intended – in this man’s near future.
We stuck on the SmackDown side of things for the next match, as Matt Riddle battled King Corbin in his first major WWE pay-per-view appearance.
The winner was never really in any doubt, but these two seemed to have some chemistry together and put on a fun showing before the Original Bro picked up the victory.
However, Corbin wasn’t done as he charged into view during Riddle’s post-match interview backstage, leaving him lying as he get dragged off.
In not-news, the women were off the chain as the Golden Role Models lost their Tag Team Titles to the makeshift duo of Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax after a brilliant match.
There was a lot to take in a very story-focused bout, with a perfect ending as the Queen of Spades locked both Sasha Banks and Bayley in a creative submission, even using the latter’s arm to take it further and earn her team the gold.
There was no breakup from the former champs just yet, but it can’t be far away.
Up next, there was a career making moment for Keith Lee as he pretty much destroyed future Hall of Famer Randy Orton in a perfect showcase of his undeniable talent.
The Limitless One looked like an absolutely star as he tore through the Legend Killer and picked up a clean win with the Spirit Bomb.
Elsewhere, Dominik Mysterio picked up his first WWE win as he teamed with his father Rey for the second time in the space of a week in a fantastic clash against long-time tormentors Seth Rollins and Murphy.
The ending came with some miscommunication leading to the Disciple kicking the Monday Night Messiah in the face, taking him out of the game and leaving Murphy open to take the 619 and Frog Splash.
Rollins stormed off at the end, and didn’t look too happy with his follower – so that’s something to keep an eye on over the next week or so.
Quickfire results
- US Title: Bobby Lashley beat Apollo Crews (c) by submission
- Big E pinned Sheamus
- Matt Riddle defeated King Corbin
- Women’s Tag Titles: Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax beat the Golden Role Models (c)
- Keith Lee pinned Randy Orton
- Rey and Dominik Mysterio defeated Seth Rollins and Murphy
- Universal Title: Roman Reigns beat Braun Strowman and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt (c)
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