Random Thoughts on WWE Payback 2023

WWE hosted Payback last night, and I’m here to share my random thoughts on the show. As always, this is a spoiler heavy so please look away now if you wish to avoid spoilers.

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Steel Cage match

Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus

This was a great, competitive match that was very even for most of the way. It really was an outstanding match that was one of the better women’s matches in WWE this year. They pulled out all the stops with a lot of nearfalls for Trish throughout the match before Lynch was able to put her away. There wasn’t a lot of cage climbing early, but then they did it toward the end of the match. I loved seeing Trish use the Widow’s Peak in the match. That was such a cool tribute to Victoria, who is her friend and one of her greatest rivals. I was not a fan of Zoey Stark getting involved in the match, but it does fit the story between these women, so at least Lynch was able to overcome it to get the win. I think that’s the right finish to this story. Lynch should have won to end the rivalry.

Winner: Becky Lynch via pinfall

Rating: ****

The Miz vs. LA Knight

Special Guest Referee: John Cena

It was a pretty good match that got plenty of time. Knight winning decisively was the right finish. Having Knight kick out of the Skull Crushing Finale years ago might have been a big deal, but since Miz loses nearly every match this year it’s fine for Knight kick out of it. Cena did a nice job as the referee by being authoritative when needed and they involved him in the final few minutes as well. I’m glad Knight won here.

Winner: LA Knight via pinfall

Rating: *** ½

United States Championship

Austin Theory vs. Rey Mysterio ©

It was a solid match that the crowd really didn’t get into that much except for a few of Rey’s signature moves. That counter by Rey into the pinfall sitting on top of Theory was a creative move by Rey as usual. It wasn’t as impactful of an ending as it could have been if Rey won with a finisher. It felt like more of a TV match.

Winner and STILL United States Champion: Rey Mysterio via pinfall

Rating: ***

WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship

Street Fight

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn © vs. The Judgement Day (Finn Balor & Damien Priest)

I thought it was an excellent Street Fight. Yes, there was a lot of interference and perhaps too much of it, but that’s what happens when bad guys win sometimes. It was a cheap victory that Sami & Kevin have a right to complain about while The Judgment Day will celebrate it because they ended up with all the gold. I figured JD McDonagh would be involved. It was timed perfectly with Zayn nearly about to win the match when JD pulled him out at the right time. After Zayn hit another Helluva Kick, Dominik Mysterio was there with the briefcase to cost Zayn the win and Balor capitalized to win. I thought Priest did a nice job in the match as the power guy. Owens was terrific with some big moves including that Swanton Bomb through the table on Dominik. The addition of Rhea Ripley showing up to hit a Spear on Owens through the table was crazy too. That meant there were three outside people helping J-Day get the win here. I’m okay with the title change because KO & Sami had the titles for about five months, so I figured it was possible due to the stipulations of this match.

Winners and NEW Undisputed Tag Team Champions: The Judgement Day via pinfall

Rating: ****

Women’s World Championship

Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley ©

They worked hard and tried to have a great match that was given a lot of time, but the fans never got into it that much. It’s still a good match. Ripley has a lot of star power and they react to her, but as the heel, she shouldn’t be cheered much. I don’t think this crowd cared that much about Raquel as a babyface challenger. Every time Raquel made her comeback, the fans really didn’t get behind her. It’s a bit of an issue with Raquel because she doesn’t have a strong personality although I think as a performer she has improved a lot in the last few years. Anyway, I don’t see Ripley losing this title until she gets the Becky Lynch feud. That might be at WrestleMania, so it should be a lengthy title reign for Ripley.

Winner and STILL Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley via pinfall

Rating: ***

WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins ©

The match was pretty good for a main event, but I wouldn’t call it an epic match or anything like that. It was a long match that probably dragged on a bit too much because I don’t think they needed 25 minutes for a match like this. The story was about Nakamura attacking the back throughout the match, Rollins fighting back from it and eventually Rollins find a way to get the win. I don’t think many people thought that Nakamura was going to win, so that hurt the match a bit in terms of trying to provide some doubt about who might get the victory. I liked it overall.

Winner and STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins via pinfall
Rating: ***

Overall Show Rating (out of 10): 7

It was a pretty good show overall with the two best matches being the Becky Lynch-Trish Stratus Steel Cage Match that opened the event and the Steel City Street Fight that saw The Judgment Day beat Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens to win the WWE Tag Team Titles. Becky and Trish really did an outstanding job in that match with Lynch getting the big win. Judgment Day’s Priest & Balor got a very cheap win over Zayn & Owens, but it was within the rules, so three people helping them counts and it gives Zayn/Owens an out for the loss.

Other matches were okay. Everything on the show got at least 15 minutes except Rey Mysterio beating Austin Theory in about 10 minutes. Some of the matches went too long because the Pittsburgh crowd wasn’t that loud for a few matches. No surprise seeing Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley and LA Knight getting wins. Those were obvious winners.

2023 Premium Live Event Rankings

WrestleMania 39 – 9.5

Elimination Chamber – 8

Backlash – 8

SummerSlam – 8

Money in the Bank – 8

Royal Rumble – 8

Payback – 7