A WWE pay-per-view without Universal Champion Roman Reigns or any official members of the Bloodline? Can you say throwaway event? Well, including house show defences Reigns has put the title approximately 53 times in his 1,097 day reign. That means he has defended it 4.8% of the time, if my math is correct and it usually isn’t to be honest.
Why does this show even exist? Perhaps to share the spotlight around a bit in WWE? The matches do appear to be pretty predictable. The WWE booking hasn’t put much effort into this one so neither will we. Here is your fast and furious rundown of WWE Payback on this Labour Day holiday weekend.
WWE Payback 2023 Results
Becky Lynch versus Trish Stratus – Steel Cage Match
One of the best women’s matches I have seen in quite a long time. Tiffany Stratton is shown sitting at ringside taking in the action. As with the majority of WWE cage matches there is no blood but Trish and Becky are golden giving one of the best performances of their careers. The best moment of the match had Trish hanging upside down from the top of the cage and then Becky giving her a Superplex back into the cage. Zoey Stark interferes. Trish’s body ends up in a tug-of-war between Zoey on the outside of the ring and Becky inside the ring. Zoey and Becky double-team Becky. Becky hits a Manhandle Slam on Zoey and then Trish for the win.
Trish and Zoey have words afterwards. Trish slaps Zoey. Zoey locks the door of the cage. She spikes Trish with Z-360 and leaves her laying.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Stratton irritates Becky backstage. Becky warns her to watch her back.
John Cena, the host of Payback, comes to the ring. The Miz interrupts. He is sad to see Cena “pandering to the crowd”. As the host, Cena declares himself a special guest referee for Miz’s match against LA Knight. Miz says Cena doesn’t have a ref shirt. One is handed to Cena. This leads to…
LA Knight vs. The Miz
Cena congratulates LA Knight. Courtesy: WWE Network.
During the bout there are times in which both LA Knight and The Miz end up arguing with Cena, criticizing his officiating. Knight kicks out of the Skull Crushing Finale at two. He pins Miz with Blunt Force Trauma. At the entrance way, Cena and Knight have a staredown. Cena extends his hand. Knight shakes it. Cena raises Knight’s hand in victory and then heads backstage while Knight poses some more for the crowd.
Winner: LA Knight
Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Austin Theory – United States Championship Match
I don’t know about you but I am sick of Austin Theory. I find him boring and bland, which is the worst thing you can be in professional wrestling. At one point, Theory tries to tear off Mysterio’s mask. Mysterio turns an A-Town Down into a roll-up for the win and that’s all, folks.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The Judgment Day – Steel City Street Fight – Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Owens is busted open early on. I cannot tell if it is his forehead or nose. Dominik Mysterio comes out midway through the match to lend a hand to his pals. Owens and Zayn are thrown over a barricade. They come back up wearing Pittsburgh Penguins hockey jerseys and carrying hockey sticks. They confront Dominik and throw down their gloves and sticks as if they are in a hockey fight. Owens flips off of the top of an entrance way onto Dominik who is stretched out on a table below. Zayn has the match won but JD McDonagh pulls him out of the ring. Owens slams JD on the announce desk. Rhea Ripley spears Owens through a barricade. As Zayn pins Balor after a Helluva Kick, Dominik dives in smacking him in the head with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Balor pins Zayn.
Winners: …and new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Judgment Day
Waller talks too much. Courtesy: WWE Network.
Grayson Waller Experience has Cody Rhodes as a guest. They do a little bit of verbal jousting before Rhodes says he will give Waller a scoop. He used his stroke and power behind the scenes to pull some strings. He introduces Jey Uso as the newest member of the Raw roster. Rhodes leaves the ring as Jey enters. Waller is rude and insulting to Jey. He says he has accomplished nothing in his solo career. Jey superkicks him into Dreamland.
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez – WWE Women’s World Championship Match
This match is slow, plodding and goes on far too long. Ripley focuses on Raquel’s injured knee. Dominik shows up to save Ripley from a pinfall. Raquel pulls Dominik into the ring and powerslams him. Rhea sneaks up on Raquel for a Riptide and a pin.
Winner: …and still WWE Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley.
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – WWE World Championship Match
Nakamura does all sorts of damage to Rollins’ back including stomping it on the apron and slamming him on the announce desk. Rollins fights on, misses a stomp and is put into a sleeper by Nakamura. Nakamura has Rollins in a submission. Bad back and all, Rollins makes it to his feet powerbombing Nakamura. Nakamura tries for a roll-up. Rollins stomps his head for the win.
Winner: …and still WWE World Champion, Seth Rollins.