Before I begin, let me point you to the official Inside Pulse Wrestling Rasslin’ Roundtable for WWE Payback 2013. Since I missed the deadline for the roundtable, I figured I’d simply post my own little preview to tonight’s show, which will be airing live from CM Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
So, what will happen at Payback, and how have we gotten here? Let’s find out … now!
CB’s Slant: WWE Payback 2013 PPV Preview and Predictions for Sunday 6/16/13
WWE Payback Kickstart Match: Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow
CB: In this battle of gamesmanship, I’d prefer Damien Sandow to be the victor. But Grimacing Sheamus won’t be denied on the Pre Show, otherwise he won’t be able to pound his chest, yell “Fellllaaaaaaaaa” as if he’s Marlon Brando in Streetcar, and then Brogue Kick his way into another meaningless win.
Winner: Sheamus
WWE Divas Championship: Kaitlyn (c) vs. AJ Lee
CB: I loved, yes, LOVED, this segment from Raw where AJ and Kaitlyn were given some actual promo time. This saga between the two has actually been simmering for over one year, and I actually think it’s apropos for the payoff to come at a PPV named Payback. I think AJ wins so that she and Dolph can hold gold together, but I liked Kaitlyn’s work selling this thing on Raw and SmackDown.
Winner: AJ Lee
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Wade Barrett (c) vs. The Miz vs. Curtis Axel
CB: On Father’s Day, Curtis Axel will win the title his late, great Hall of Fame father once proudly held.
Winner: Curtis Axel
WWE United States Championship: Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kane
CB: Dean Ambrose wins, further solidifying his singles match credibility.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
WWE Tag Team Championship: The Shield (Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns) (c) vs. Team RK-No! (Daniel Bryan & Randy Orton
CB: I’m not going to predict a Randy Orton heel turn anymore, no matter how much sense it makes. I think The Shield does win, however, likely following miscommunication from Team RK-No.
Winners: The Shield (Reigns and Rollins)
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Alberto del Rio
CB: Not much to say here, though I think the match itself will be a good one.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho
CB: Mark my words, CM Punk will NOT No Show this PPV in his hometown. I mean, they could go that route, but that would just completely anger the live crowd and people who actually still pay for PPVs in a “screwed over customer” sort of way.
That being said, they could tease a Punk No Show here against Jericho and then have him emerge during Ryback-Cena later on, but I think this match will take place as scheduled … and that Punk will come up big in his return bout.
Winner: CM Punk
WWE Championship: Three Stages of Hell: John Cena (c) vs. Ryback
Stage 1. Lumberjack Match
Stage 2. Tables Match
Stage 3. Ambulance Match
CB: Three Stages of Hell is a complete waste here. I mean, do we really need three falls to settle this already overbooked feud that no one has real interest in?
Winner: John Cena
