On Monday Night Raw, the card for WWE Payback was practically finished. The championship matches are set, as well as a segment where Vince McMahon will decide who is in charge of controlling Monday Night Raw. The biggest story heading into Payback is the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (former members of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Bullet Club) debuted a couple of weeks ago on Raw, and have been backing up AJ Styles throughout the few weeks. Styles says that he doesn’t need Gallows and Anderson to help him defeat Reigns, but Reigns is skeptical of their friendship. Tonight on Smackdown, Superstars who are competing at Payback this Sunday will have their last opportunity to build some momentum for themselves, since most are going into the biggest matches of their careers.
Opening Segment
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns comes down to the ring to address the situation with AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. On the last episode of Monday Night Raw, Gallows and Anderson defeated the Usos (Reigns’s cousins) in their in-ring debut. Later that night, Gallows and Anderson would beat down on Reigns after his match against Alberto Del Rio, and Styles would try to stop them. Reigns would try to fight back, but the numbers game got the better of him and the fight would end with Phenomenal Forearm to the champion.
Reigns calls out AJ Styles to tell everybody the truth, and instead he is interrupted by The Miz and Maryse. The Miz starts telling Reigns how he was the one to start the accusations against Styles, Gallows and Anderson. After the Miz would yell on and on, Reigns with hit him with a right hand, sending him out of the ring.
After this segment, it is announced that there will be a Champion vs. Champion match in the main event, where Roman Reigns will take on The Miz in the main event.
The League of Nations vs. Kalisto, Sami Zayn, & Cesaro
Before Smackdown started, The League of Nations issued an open challenge to any three competitors to a six-man tag team match. This match is so that the League of Nations can prove that it is the most dominant unit in WWE (they’re not).
Kalisto, Zayn, and Cesasro all have big matches this Sunday at Payback. For the second Pay-Per-View in a row, Kalisto will defend the United States Championship on the pre-show against “The Big Guy,” Ryback. Kalisto was successful against Ryback at WrestleMania 32, and has yet to lose a title defense since becoming the United States Champion earlier this year.
Sami Zayn is making his second appearance on a WWE Pay-Per-View when he takes on his former best friend, and now bitter enemy, Kevin Owens. They have a history that spans over a decade, and this match at Payback is far from the end of it.
Cesaro made his return on the first Raw after WrestleMania, where he competed in a fatal four-way match to determine the #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Cesaro would lose that match, but would end up becoming the #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Championship, and he will face The Miz for the title at Payback.
During the match, there seems to be some confusion and frustration amongst the League of Nations, and Alberto Del Rio walks out on his teammates, turning this into a handicap match. After Sheamus accidentally hits Del Rio with a double axe handle, Rusev now walks out of the match. This could be the beginning of the end for the League of Nations.
Following Rusev and Del Rio, Sheamus was frustrated with the match, and left the match. Winners (via count-out): Kalisto, Sami Zayn, & Cesaro
Baron Corbin vs. Damien Sandow
This match was supposed to take place on Monday Night Raw, but Dolph Ziggler would attack Baron Corbin on the entrance ramp, forcing a no contest. Because of this, along with attacks over the past few weeks, Corbin and Ziggler will square off at Payback.
Corbin completely dominates Sandow (as expected), and hits the End of Days to pick up the victory. Winner: Baron Corbin
Ambrose Asylum feat. Charlotte (w/Ric Flair) & Natalya
Dean Ambrose is the newest Superstar to have his own talk show, which started after he took over the Highlight Reel a few weeks ago on Smackdown. Since then, Ambrose and Jericho have been feuding, which has led to their match this Sunday at Payback.
Charlotte and Natalya have a history that goes back to NXT, where Charlotte successfully defended the NXT Women’s Championship against Natalya. In that match, both Ric Flair and Bret Hart were at ringside. On Sunday, they fight for the WWE Women’s Championship, and with the same people at ringside. This time, however, seems to be more about the men at ringside than the women in the ring.
Essentially the whole segment after Ric Flair talks about how great he is, is that Natalya thinks that the WWE Universe deserves a champion who won’t cheat to win their matches.
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel (w/Heath Slater)
Before the match starts, the New Day replaces the commentary team for this match. This is a mix of entertainment and the champions scouting their potential challengers. During the match, the Vaudevillains come out to the stage to also scout the Realest Guys in the Room.
After not too long of a match, the Realest Guys in the Room hit Air Enzo on Curtis Axel to pick up the victory, sending a message to the Vaudevillains. Winners: Enzo Amore & Big Cass
Backstage Segment
A few weeks ago, Goldust decided to team up with Fandango instead of R-Truth for the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament. Tonight, Truth does the same, choosing Tyler Breeze for a partner.
Apollo Crews vs. Stardust
On Monday Night Raw this week, Apollo Crews defeated Stardust in impressive fashion. Tonight, Stardust looks to redeem himself, and end the main roster undefeated streak of Apollo Crews.
Stardust fails to achieve his goal, and Crews hits Stardust with the spinning sit-out powerbomb for the second time this week, putting the Cosmic King away again. Winner: Apollo Crews
Roman Reigns vs. The Miz- Champion vs. Champion
Before the match starts, AJ Styles comes down to the commentary table to scout his Payback opponent. This match came to be because of the opening segment tonight, and both of these men could use the momentum.
The Miz does a good job against Reigns, but not a good enough job. Reigns hits a spear on Miz to pick up the victory. Winner: Roman Reigns
After the match, AJ Styles comes into the ring to have a stare down with Reigns, and Gallows and Anderson come down to the ring to attack Reigns. The Usos come out to even the odds, and Styles and Reigns have a stare down to end Smackdown.
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