Payback is an apt title for Saturday’s WWE pay-per-view with most of the promotion’s prime stars heading into the occasion with that actual factor on their thoughts. From a metal cage match to a road battle and several other title matches, there are many intriguing scraps set for the cardboard.
Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus are set to conflict within a metal cage in certainly one of Payback’s featured matches. After months of Stratus taking shortcuts to get the higher of Lynch, “The Man” will lastly be in an setting with no straightforward escapes for her WWE Corridor of Fame opponent.
Equally, world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins will probably be on the lookout for payback when he takes on Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura turned on Rollins and has made it clear he is aware of Rollins’ secret, that his again has been injured for years and is leaving the champion in fixed ache.
These are simply two of the attention-grabbing matches on the Payback card. Let’s have a look by means of the total card together with predictions from the CBS Sports activities specialists.
2023 WWE Payback viewing info
Date: Saturday, Sept. 2
Location: PPG Paints Area — Pittsburgh
Begin time: 8 p.m. ET (kickoff present begins at 7 p.m.)
Watch dwell: Peacock
2023 WWE Payback predictions
World Heavyweight Championship — Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
This feud has injected new life into Nakamura’s character. By turning him heel and permitting him to chop promos in his native Japanese, he’s getting factors throughout clearer and with extra intention. Nonetheless, it would not appear as if there’s any life like means WWE places the title on Nakamura, who’s extra of a plug-and-play roster member, capable of be slotted in wherever wanted for a month or two. Nakamura is not the pressure within the ring he as soon as was, however can maintain up his finish properly sufficient in huge matches. Rollins’ run as champion will proceed on a bit longer — presumably till Damian Priest cashes within the Cash within the Financial institution contract, which should not be written out as a chance on Saturday evening. Choose: Seth Rollins retains the title — Brent Brookhouse (additionally Shakiel Mahjouri)
Ladies’s World Championship — Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Ripley’s title run has been dealt with properly and she or he is rather more ready to carry the title than she was throughout her first reign, with much more confidence in herself and on the microphone. Rodriguez is a compelling problem as one of many solely ladies on the roster who can match Ripley on an influence stage. Nonetheless, Rodriguez would not really feel as if she has been constructed as much as the purpose the place she could possibly be a plausible prime champion, although that would come sooner or later. Ripley and Dominik Mysterio as a title-holding couple, plus Priest as Mr. Cash within the Financial institution — and presumably world champion — being caught with a jealous Finn Balor could possibly be the subsequent step for the group. Choose: Rhea Ripley retains the title — Brookhouse (additionally Mahjouri)
Undisputed WWE Tag Staff Championship — Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (c) vs. Damian Priest & Finn Balor (Metal Metropolis Avenue Battle)
My idea on the route ahead for Judgment Day is that Balor goes to be the lone member with no title very quickly, resulting in his partnership with JD McDonagh taking precedence over his loyalties to Judgment Day. That does not work if he and Priest win the tag titles, although tag champions with an uneasy alliance is a wrestling story as outdated because the “sport.” Owens and Zayn retaining the belts and persevering with their title reign because the tag division picks up a little bit of steam makes excellent sense, particularly if miscommunication prices Priest and Balor. Choose: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn retain the titles — Brookhouse
The end result of Payback’s matches appear very predictable however one thing has to provide. I am selecting the tag title match for Payback’s huge upset. WWE clearly sees Judgement Day as a focus of Uncooked. Regardless of their infighting, it would not appear as if the group is anyplace near a official cut up. They should win sufficient to offset their losses. Balor has misplaced consecutive world title matches and is determined for a win, significantly after Ripley’s threats about shaking up the faction. Owens and Zayn profitable at WrestleMania is an unforgettable second, however accidents and a scarcity of route have impeded their title run. A loss will free the champs up for extra attention-grabbing tales whereas giving Judgement Day a wanted increase. Make the change. Choose: Judgment Day wins the titles — Mahjouri
United States Championship — Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Austin Concept
It was odd to see WWE pull a quick one over followers and reward Mysterio with the U.S. title over Santos Escobar. Nonetheless, the masked man is a protected alternative as midcard champion and it is nice seeing the 48-year-old compete at this stage. Concept benefitted from an enormous push and beat John Cena at WrestleMania 39. It would not get a lot larger than that. Sadly, his U.S. title run wasn’t memorable and he’d profit from distance from the title. Mysterio ought to retain so the title can profit from some contemporary matchups on SmackDown. Choose: Rey Mysterio retains the title — Mahjouri (additionally Brookhouse)
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus (Metal Cage Match)
Stratus’ return has been considerably uneven when it comes to her in-ring work. Including Zoey Stark as her protege was a wise transfer that took a number of the heavy lifting off of Stratus’ plate. WWE loves to border cage matches as in some way stopping interference and the extra they lean into that, the extra you already know that interference will make up an enormous a part of how issues play out. Stark will contain herself a lot right here. Had been this the beginning of the feud, it would be very tempting to select Stratus to win after that interference, fueling Lynch on for revenge. Issues between Lynch and Stratus have run their course, nevertheless, and now Lynch, the precise full-time roster member, must get the win and transfer alongside to the subsequent a part of her profession. Choose: Becky Lynch wins — Brookhouse (additionally Mahjouri)
LA Knight vs. The Miz
The followers are treating Knight like a bonafide celebrity and it is time for WWE to do the identical. Successful a sponsor-affiliated battle royal at SummerSlam was comforting however not important sufficient to curry confidence. His feud with The Miz has been moderately entertaining, however shedding to “The A-Lister” can be completely deflating. This is not a feud that should final a very long time. Even when WWE desires to increase this system previous Payback, it mustn’t come on the expense of Knight shedding. This must be Knight’s slow-burn rise in direction of a world title. Choose: LA Knight wins — Mahjouri (additionally Brookhouse)