Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
By Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp)
Sean Ross Sapp here to share my thoughts on WWE Payback with you. If you’re reading along as the event goes along, keep refreshing the page!
Hornswoggle (w/ 3MB) vs. El Torito (w/ Los Matadores) Hair vs. Mask match
Oh, Christ. 3MB ripped off Torito’s tail last week on Raw, and it’s starting to “grow back” which is pretty funny. This match was more about us wondering why Drew McIntyre isn’t being used better, as opposed to being a comedy spot. Seriously, who did that guy piss off?
There were cool spots aplenty in this match, just as there was in last month’s match. Hornswoggle ripped Torito’s mask off, only to find another underneath. Torito hit a springboard moonsault body block and won the match. Not bad at all.
People joke about these matches, but it made people stop chanting “CM Punk.” Think that’ll happen during Big E/Rusev?
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 1, 2014
Ole (x2)! pic.twitter.com/0j664ckXEG
— Richard Gray (@wnwdotcom) June 1, 2014
All the money the WWE has and you couldn’t have brought Brutus Beefcake back for this?
— Big Boss Repo (@bearforcewon) June 1, 2014
Cesaro (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. Sheamus (c) – United States Title match
Loud, giant CM Punk chants are around to start the match. Paul Heyman, who is seemingly the only guy allowed to acknowledge CM Punk, tells the Chicago crowd he’s at the United Center watching the BlackHawks have their streak ended. Short, but great way to take the wind out of that one.
I fully expected this match to be a brutal, physical, ass kicking brawl, and it certainly lived up to those expectations early on. I remember being disappointed that the Sheamus/Daniel Bryan WrestleMania matches didn’t happen as planned because I thought their styles clash would be good, but Sheamus works great with other big guys.
Sheamus the non-comedian, ass kicking machine makes me happy to watch wrestling.
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Big strikes, big slams, back and forth battling, signature moves– these two were meant for each other. This match was just fantastic. Sheamus won with a small package after Cesaro landed the Cesaro Swing. I just can’t say enough. Wonderful match. Hopefully that ending means we’ll get another match out of this feud
The Brotherhood (Cody Rhodes & Goldust) vs. Rybaxel (Ryback & Curtis Axel)
Rybaxel are out…with beanies on?
@SeanRossSapp I’ve always wanted heat stroke.
— Long Dong Silver (@HustleLOP) June 2, 2014
This was a bit of an impromptu match, that I expected to be really good as well. To my delight the crowd was into this match, despite all four not having much of a television presence.
Cody Rhodes delivered a disgusting looking moonsault that he nearly botched, and hasn’t looked the same since having to wear that knee brace. Rhodes went for a Distaster Kick on Ryback that was countered into a Shellshock for the win. Another good match, albeit short and sweet. Tag team wrestling still strong, when it’s given time.
After the match, Cody took the mic and said Goldust needed a better tag partner than him.
Big E vs. Rusev (w/ Lana)
I’ll try to be as nice as I can about this match. I like Big E, and don’t like Rusev.
God, I would just love Rusev to get Muhammad Hussan’d through that stage by Big E. End the pain
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
“We want Ziggler” chant. Let’s go ahead and pair him and Big E up again, shall we? — Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Better not try to sell me that anyone else can bust that lame ass Camel Clutch if Big E can’t — Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Kofi Kingston vs. Bo Dallas Another impromptu match, immediately interrupted by Kane. Bo Dallas ran for the hills, while Kofi stuck around and fought. Well, I mean for a few seconds, until he got beat down. Chokeslam, Tombstone, good night. Bo Dallas cut a short promo, and got a “We Bo-lieve” chant. Looks like the project is working.
I wonder if WWE expected this gimmick to be a double-backfire and did it on purpose to get Bo over as a face
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Rob Van Dam vs. Bad News Barrett (c)- Intercontinental Title match
I’m thrilled to see Barrett with a gimmick that is finally working for him, and evidently the rest of the crowd is, too. I thought this match would be a lot like Cesaro and Sheamus, with the added variable of RVD’s air attack. The crowd was all over this match, with dueling “Bad News Barrett/RVD” chants taking over the arena.
In reality, it was nothing like Sheamus/Cesaro, but was good nonetheless, although I thought it ended just as it was getting heated up. This show has exceeded my low expectations thus far. BNB won with the Bull Hammer, by the way.
Daniel Bryan/Brie Bella/Stephanie McMahon promo
Heavy, and boy do I mean heavy CM Punk chants to start this out, to which Stephanie tells Daniel Bryan the crowd wants Bryan to quit like CM Punk did. Yikes. Pretty lame of Chicago to crap on Bryan in the first place.
Stephanie gave Bryan the ultimatum of Bryan forfeiting the title, or Brie was fired, but instead, Brie quit, and smacked the hell out of Stephanie, which got a huge pop and a yes chant. Short, effective segment.
It’s way too easy to have a Money in the Bank winner cheaply beat Bryan at the next PPV or Raw to rip that title from him
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
At least then the heat in the program goes on another wrestler and not Stephanie McMahon
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
John Cena (w/ Usos) vs. Bray Wyatt (w/ Wyatt Family) – Last Man Standing Match
Cena initially comes out without the Usos, because he’s booked to look like the biggest oaf ever. Fortunately for him, the Samoans come to his aid before he can have his ass delivered to him by all three of the Wyatt Family.
Lots of high spots, finishers, weapons, and interference in this match, which was a drastic improvement over their previous work together. It’s unfortunate these two didn’t get it done well without these things prior, but at the end of the day, it was a good match
This has been the best match Cena and Wyatt have had, but they needed help from the Usos and Harper and Rowan
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Instead on playing on emotions, it was more about high spots from the Usos and Harper, as well as Cena and Wyatt hitting their finishes, and using weapons– but again, it worked. Honestly, it’s just what these two needed to have the best match in their feud. Despite the good match, I’m ready for the rivalry to be over. WrestleMania and tonight were good matches
In all there were dives by the Usos, multiple finishers by Cena and Wyatt, a running ass driver through a table, a suplex through a table, finishes on the outside of the ring, sick spots to steel stairs, a ringside barricade broken, a superplex to the outside through tables. Woah
The dreaded ass to the head through a table
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
@CoLD_KiLL They shoulda done it at the last show for Easter
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
John Cena finally won with an Attitude Adjustment through some contraption, after he accidentally hit someones pryo, lol. This match was absolutely guano crazy.
Paige (c) vs. Alicia Fox- WWE Diva’s Title match}
I’d imagine this was serving as the cool-down match between Cena/Wyatt and Evolution/Shield, but I’m not sure Chicago needs one.
It’s funny how after years of not being over, Alicia Fox actually is over, and the WWE Diva’s champion who has been put over repeatedly isn’t. Hopefully after the reception Natalya/Charlotte got after NXT Takeover last week, a new guard of booking these girls is on its way. There are some really talented ones, and don’t need to rely on reality shows and roll-ups.
This match can't win. Following Cena/Wyatt, and kinda following Natalya/Charlotte from Takeover. Hang in there, ladies.
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Not a bad match, especially for a Diva’s match, but it sure was a bad time for the match. Paige won with the Scorpion Crosslock, called the PTO. After the match, Alicia threw an abbreviated tantrum, before flailing away in an awkward run.
LOL SHE RAN OFF LIKE REDD FROM FRIDAY
— Blacksaw Jim Thuggin (@IIDeAIID) June 2, 2014
The Shield vs. Evolution- No Holds Barred 6-Man Tag elimination match
Man, I can’t wait for this one. Everyone comes out wearing black, except Batista, who looks like Matt Kemp of the LA Dodgers with all that blue on. Man, he got eaten alive on Twitter. Speaking of, I want to let Twitter talk for this match, and see how you guys like it.
Batista a crip, he not losing
— Shane Botwin (@tryna_be_famous) June 2, 2014
Good job matching your team Batista….dork #BLUEtista #WWEPayback
— J.P. Doyle (@jpppdoylebudge) June 2, 2014
Big Stevie Cool from the bWo joins Evolution
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
I bet Paul and Randall informed David that they'd also appear in blue and laughed their arses off.
— Gonzalo Higavín (@GB32_) June 2, 2014
I really wonder if people remember matches need pacing…are they supposed to just Davey Richards the match, hit spots and no sell?
— Blacksaw Jim Thuggin (@IIDeAIID) June 2, 2014
"Alright, so be sure to bring your black and white gear- OH GOD DAMN IT BATISTA."
— Kevin (@kford13) June 2, 2014
This crowd is dead now? Sheesh
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Is it me or is the All State crowd unusually quiet?
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) June 2, 2014
Well, Ambrose and Rollins' psycho asses woke the crowd up for a split second.
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Triple H delivers one hell of a chair shot
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Evolution is about to go all Passion of the Christ on Roman Reigns
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Roman Reigns died for your sins… Those sins being you watch Total Divas… @GlowDB !
— Big Boss Repo (@bearforcewon) June 2, 2014
Reigns walloped the hell out of Triple H with that Superman punch
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
Where's that shovel guys? The Shield just sweeped Evolution
— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2014
The match started slow, and had it’s share of big spots— a dive, an announce table spot, and a scene straight out of Passion of the Christ, where Evolution destroyed Roman Reigns with singapore canes.
I thought the last match was paced far too slowly compared to their other matches, but as a standalone, the pacing wasn’t bad. When you’re used to the Shield going 100 MPH, that’s just what you expect. Batista was eliminated by Rollins following a Reigns spear, then Orton fell victim to Dirty Deeds by Ambrose, and was eliminated as well. After a sledgehammer attack attempt from Triple H, Reigns hit him with a spear, and gave The Shield a clean sweep win.
– This show was much better than I thought it’d be. There were rumblings that the main roster didn’t want to be shown up by NXT Takeover’s fantastic event, and I think they held their own quite well. No 5-star classics or anything, but some really, really great work all around. Nothing on this show was bad, in my opinion, including Big E making Rusev look like a million bucks. I’m not very optimistic, but hopefully this show starts a trend with WWE’s programming, because it’s been struggling lately.
The post LIVE- Ultimate Writer’s WWE Payback Thoughts appeared first on Cage Passion.