In a post-WrestleMania world, it's time for wrestlers to pick up the pieces and beat each other with them at WWE Payback 2017.
WrestleMania 33 is history and we’re back to show-specific PPVs. Up next is WWE Payback, a Raw-based show. Well, sort of. They just traded a bunch of wrestlers from show to show and various matches on this card involve SmackDowntalent.
Paybackhas been part of WWE’s regular rotation since 2013 and while it hasn’t really had a gimmick to define itself, it’s mostly been about trying to bring closure to post-WrestleManiastorylines. If anything, it’s a show that’s given us some strong main events in the past, especially that Shield vs. Evolution elimination match.
WWE Payback 2017 Date
WHEN IS WWE PAYBACK 2017?
The show takes place on April 30, 2017 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
How to Watch WWE Payback 2017 Online
WWE PAYBACK 2017 MATCHES
RANDY ORTON (C) VS. BRAY WYATT
House of Horrors match for the WWE Championship
Yes, SmackDown's main title is being defended on the RawPPV while Raw's main champion is nowhere to be seen. Sounds about right.
After months of gaining Wyatt's trust to stab him in the back, Orton finally became WWE Champion at WrestleMania. Although Wyatt has moved on to Raw, he still intends on annihilating Orton in his rematch and taking back his title. This will take place in the House of Horrors, but your guess is as good as mine over what that is. Wyatt's just been saying his usual jargon and we aren't any closer to getting answers.
KEVIN OWENS (C) VS. CHRIS JERICHO
United States Championship, Winner moves to SmackDown
Half a year ago, Owens and Jericho were best friends. Owens then showed his true colors in the lead-up to Fastlane, when he demolished Jericho and declared that he no longer needed him. Jericho cost Owens his Universal Championship against Goldberg, leading to a WrestleManiashowdown where Jericho defended his United States Championship against Owens. Owens just barely made it out the winner, thanks in part to being able to escape a critical pin via touching the nearby ropes with one finger.
The next night on Raw, Jericho announced the rematch for Payback. Unfortunately, Owens and Samoa Joe then jumped Jericho and put him through a table, causing Jericho to sit on the shelf for a bit. Then Kevin Owens was traded to SmackDown.
It was announced that whoever comes out of the show as champion will be on SmackDown.
BAYLEY (C) VS. ALEXA BLISS
WWE Raw Women's Championship
After defeating Charlotte once again at WrestleMania, Bayley was able to take a sigh of relief as her rival was shipped off to SmackDown. Unfortunately, Charlotte's trade also brought in new challengers in Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. A Fatal 4-Way was put together between Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Sasha Banks, and Nia Jax. Alexa was able to sneak in a victory despite Nia crushing the competition. Now the former SmackDown Women's Champ will be going for the other crown jewel.
THE HARDY BOYZ (C) VS. SHEAMUS AND CESARO
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
The not-quite-Broken duo of Matt and Jeff Hardy reappeared in WWE at WrestleMania, where they were inserted into a ladder match for the tag belts and won. The following night on Raw, GM Kurt Angle put Enzo and Big Cass up against Sheamus and Cesaro for the #1 contender spot. Sheamus and Cesaro won. Since then, they've shown respect towards the champions, though more from Cesaro than Sheamus.
We'll see how long that lasts.
NEVILLE (C) VS. AUSTIN ARIES
Cruiserweight Championship
Austin Aries was able to challenge for the title at WrestleMania, but Neville came out on top via scraping at Aries' surgically-repaired eye. Aries won another opportunity via a Fatal 4-Way. Meanwhile, things are getting more complicated as TJ Perkins has joined Neville's side while Aries may have assistance from Jack Gallagher.
ROMAN REIGNS VS. BRAUN STROWMAN
The rivalry between these two took the backseat around WrestleManiatime so Roman could battle with the Undertaker and ultimately retire him. When sitting down for an interview about the big win, Roman was mauled by Braun. In a hilariously never-ending beat down, Braun threw Roman around like a ragdoll, flung his stretcher off a platform, beat up the prone body in an ambulance, then flipped that ambulance over.
Roman's on the shelf right now, but Braun's been destroying other wrestlers in the meantime.
SETH ROLLINS VS. SAMOA JOE
Initially, this match was meant to happen at Fastlane, but when Joe first appeared to ambush Rollins, he accidentally screwed up Rollins' knee. At WrestleMania, Rollins was able to take down Triple H while inadvertently causing Stephanie McMahon to fall through a table. While Rollins wants to get revenge on Joe, Joe hopes to defend the honor of the Authority.
WWE PAYBACK 2017 RUMORS
Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship is very likely. The two have just moved on to Raw and already made enemies with each other. While this will lead to some fun stuff, it is worth remembering that they just did this feud on SmackDown. That's how Ambrose won the title to begin with!
Apollo Crews vs. Titus O'Neil is a random conflict thrown together on Raw, so it might easily be a pre-show bout that nobody cares about.
Dana Brooke vs. Emma is being built up with Emma continually confronting Dana and screwing with her head as a callback to their old NXT alliance. Maybe we'll get to see the feud translate into a Paybackmatch.
No idea who Finn Balor would tangle with, but they're pretty high on him and it would be a waste not to have him on the show in any form.
Check back for more on WWE Payback!
Gavin Jasper is sighing in advance at months of no main title on Raw. Follow Gavin on Twitter!