We've finally made it to Payback after a month of hot dogging and grandstanding as Macho Man used to say. After WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defeated Randy Orton with the help of Kane and J & J Security, Rollins got too big for his britches and continued to pester Kane. The irate Director of Operations stacked the deck against Rollins by having him defend the title in a triple threat match with him against Orton and Roman Reigns. Then through the power of vote, the fans voted for Dean Ambrose to join in and make it a Fatal Four Way. Seth Rollins bitched to Triple H and Hunter vowed that if Rollins didn't walk out the champ, Kane was fired. Other feuds included Bray Wyatt picking a fight with Ryback for reasons never explained, a King of The Ring rematch with King Barrett taking on Adrian Neville, the final blowoff to the Alexander Rusev/John Cena feud with an I Quit Match, an old school 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championships with New Day defending against Tyson Kidd and Cesaro, a Divas tag match featuring The Bella Twins against Naomi and Tamina Snuka and finally, The Meta Powers take on The Ascension.
WWE Payback
Royal Farms Arena
Baltimore, Maryland
May 17, 2015
Commentators: Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry "The King" Lawler
Ring Announcer: Eden Stiles
Speaking of the Meta Powers and Ascension, they were the pre-show match. Let's get right to it.
Match 1
The Meta Powers (Damien Sandow and Curtis Axel) vs The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
Took less than six months for The Ascension to go from hot new team to jobber status on the pre-show. We're shown how the Meta Powers was formed with JBL reiterating Randy Savage was spinning in his grave. Macho Mandow makes his entrance and even Cole says its too much. Axel comes out dressed exactly like Hulk Hogan to Real American. JBL brings up Nacho Man And The Huckster which definitely defeats the purpose of those early 1996 ads. Bell's gone with Axel starting out with Konnor. Axel tears his shirt off and Konnor clubs him in the back. Axel starts to Hulk Up much to JBL's delight and Axel goes "Youuuuuuu". Axel rallies with Hulka punches, the big boot and a left leg drop. He covers for 1...2..no, Viktor makes the save. Viktor tags in for the double stomp and they make frequent tags to keep Axel in the corner. Viktor hits a european uppercut in the center of the ring and covers for a one count. He locks in a chinlock and says.....seriously....this would be the biggest WWE win for The Ascension so far. JBL disagrees and brings up Fake Razor, Fake Diesel and Gillberg. JBL is bringing up every stupid thing WWE has ever done as Sandow tags in. He rams Viktor's head into two corners before doing the old Savage Slingshot off the top rope. Konnor charges but Axel pulls the rope down to send him flying. Sandow scoop slams Viktor and goes up to the top rope but Konnor pushes him off. Konnor tags in and they execute Fall Of Man. Konnor covers Sandow for 1...2...3 to win the match. JBL "thank God". Michael "Bye bye Macho Mandow and Axelmania, thanks for coming." Pretty stupid match but this is Vince in a nutshell, goofy comedy. Least the Ascension got a win for once.
Time of match: 2:51
Winners: The Ascension by pinfall
The real show starts with a vignette for Payback with Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Alexandr Rusev and John Cena. The pyro goes off and Michael Cole, Jerry "The King" Lawler and JBL welcome us to Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. We don't waste any time, we get right to the first match.
Match 2
Sheamus vs Dolph Ziggler
This all goes back to when Sheamus returned following Wrestlemania and turned heel on the "little fellas" which was Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan. With Daniel Bryan out of action, Dolph defeated Sheamus at Extreme Rules only for Sheamus to keep his heat by shoving his ass in Dolph's face much to JBL's delight. This is the big re-match that's barely been hyped. During Dolph's intro Marcelo Rodriguez and Carlos Cabrera get a shout-out at the Spanish desk. Sheamus slaps Ziggler at the bell and Ziggler bum rushes him at the bell. Sheamus sends Dolph off but walks into a dropkick. Ziggler clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope to the floor. Ziggler jumps off the apron on him and Sheamus hobbles into the ring. Ziggler goes up top and hits a flying bodypress for 1...2..no. Ziggler hits a sunset flip for 1..2..no. Sheamus slows the pace with a clothesline but Dolph's superkick is blocked. Sheamus elbows Dolph in the knee and he rolls outside to sell the knee. The referee counts but Ziggler gets in at 8. Sheamus suplexes Dolph back in the ring and kicks the right knee. He locks in a chinlock as Cole says Sheamus claims he took Ziggler too lightly at Extreme Rules and it won't happen again. Lawler gets so bored he asks Cole if he prefers "backside" or "arse". Cole says backside and JBL says that's why he's had a job here for so long. Lawler tries not to laugh but Dolph runs into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Sheamus covers for 1...2...no. JBL says a good big man beats a good little man anytime, Cole reminds him of Extreme Rules. The crowd chants "You look stupid" at Sheamus as he kicks away at Dolph. "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINEDDDD?" JBL says Dolph can double as an Everlast punching bag as the crowd tries to rally Ziggler out of another chinlock. Ziggler hits a jawbreaker and Sheamus goes shoulder first into the ringpost. Ziggler rallies with right hands but Sheamus stop him with a knee. A big forearm rocks Sheamus and it takes 3 attempts to drop him. Ziggler hits a dropkick in the corner but Dolph counters a backdrop with a jumping DDT. He covers for 1...2....no. Dolph bumrushes in the corner and nearly gets DQ'd by referee Dan Engler. Dolph randomly pulls his tights up and makes Sheamus kiss his ass with JBL making kissing noises on commentary. Should have done that after the match. Sheamus retreats outside, grabs one of Eden Stiles' water bottle and spits water all over the ringside area. Back inside Sheamus hotshots Ziggler off the top rope but misses the Brogue Kick. Ziggler hits the fame-asser and covers for 1....2....nooooooo. Ziggler rushes in the corner and pounds away but eats a sit out powerbomb. Sheamus covers for 1..2....no. Sheamus hits a running powerslam and covers for 1...2...no. Sheamus is visibly frustrated as Lawler taunts him on commentary. Sheamus hits White Noise and locks in the Texas Cloverleaf. Ziggler sells like his knee is falling off but makes it to the ropes. Sheamus uses the five count before letting go as JBL keeps harping on Ziggler pushing his ass in Sheamus' face. Dolph headbutts Sheamus to stun him then hits the superkick. He covers for 1..2....nooooo. Dolph is busted wide open as Sheamus calls for the Brogue Kick. Sheamus hits it on the bloody Ziggler and covers for 1....2....3 to win the match. Ziggler bleeds all over the ring and its clear THAT was not supposed to happen. That was a hell of a fight and a great opener. Sheamus needed a win after last month.
Time of match: 12:23
Winner: Sheamus by pinfall
Backstage Kane is on the phone and says everything is under control. Seth Rollins with J & J Security walk in and Seth says this a huge night for both of them. Seth says tonight they should just put aside their differences and work together and Kane replies that Seth's been a pain since Wrestlemania. They go back and forth about how the other's been a pain in the ass. Kane says if Seth doesn't win, he's fired and Seth says hallelujah. Kane reminds Rollins that he's not thinking of the consequences. Kane goes on to say if Rollins loses the title, it might teach him what it means to be a true champion & real man. Kane says he doesn't need the job or need Seth as champion so he might stand by and let Rollins take the fall. Kane says when he decides who's side he's on, Seth will be the first to know. Seth says he appreciates the honesty but if Kane does anything to him, losing his job will be the least of his concerns. Mercury and Noble try to step to Kane and he just laughs at them.
The New Day make their entrance for the next match with all 3 of them carrying microphones. Kofi says Baltimore can show what the power of positivity can do. Big E runs down the crowd without actually doing so then gives a shoutout to Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles. King says JJ Hardy and Steve Pearce are there too. Jones stares them down as Big E says they haven't won a world series in 32 years. Xavier says they don't have to be losers forever, they can clap along and change. They try to start a New Day Rocks chant but naturally they chant New Day Sucks. Funny thing was, Steve Pearce did win a World Series and was named MVP....in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. Here comes their opponents.
Match 3
Tyson Kidd & Cesaro (with Natalya) vs The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E Langston) with Xavier Woods in a 2 out of 3 Falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Its two out of three falls just like the good ol days. Kidd starts with Kofi and starts with a side headlock. Kidd tags in Cesaro and elbows Kofi. Cesaro drops him with a clothesline but a covers gets one. Kofi retreats to the corner to tag Big E for the hoss fight. Cesaro catches Big E in midair and slams him, covering for a two count. Big E counters with an overhead press slam and chokes him on the second rope. Xavier gets a cheap shot with the ref busy with Tyson. Lawler "Well that positively sucked." Cesaro slams Kofi next to Big E and uses them both to play hopscotch. Cesaro hits a delayed suplex on Kofi and tags in Kidd. They do the 123 Kid/Marty Jannetty spot and Kidd covers for 1...2..no. Cesaro dumps out Big E and Kidd tags him. Cesaro hits a spinebuster and the giant swing on Kofi with Kidd tagging himself in. After Cesaro drops him, Kidd hits a dropkick and covers for 1..2..3 to win the first fall.
Second fall starts with Xavier calling for the Freebird Rule. Natalya pulls him off and Kidd cannonballs on him. Kofi is kicked in the head and Kidd moves out of the way as Big E throws himself through the ropes to the outside. Kidd takes Kofi's head off with a buckshot lariat and goes for the suicide dive, but Big E catches him and overhead suplexes him. Cesaro grabs some kids water bottle and tries to revive Kidd as the referee is counting. Back inside Big E stomps Kidd and Kofi tags in for the heel double team in the corner. They make frequent tags stomping away at Kidd with Kofi hitting a dropkick. The kids in the crowd chant for Tyson with Kofi keeping him from making the tag. Big E tags in for the bearhug as Xavier screams at the announce team he's the mastermind. Kidd fights out of it but E throws him across the ring. Big E hits the Warrior splash and covers for 1...2...no, Cesario breaks it up. Big E spears Cesaro out of the ring to a big pop and Big E tags Kofi. Kofi covers for 1..2...no. Kofi goes up to the top but his axehandle is countered with a dropkick. Kidd goes for the tag but Cesaro is down. Kofi tags in Big E who Kidd rolls up for 1..2....no. Kidd kicks Kofi off the top rope and shoulderblocks Big E but is caught. Kofi makes the tag and they do a botched Eleventh Hour but Kofi covers Kidd anyway for 1....2...3 to win the fall.
Tied up at one fall apiece Kofi covers Kidd for 1...2..no. Big E tags in and hits the overhead suplex. Kidd drop toes Big E into the bottom turnbuckle and Cesaro finally gets the hot tag. Cesaro mops the ring with both Kofi & Big E with running uppercuts. Cesaro press slams Kofi onto Big E and damn near hits the double underarm suplex, but can't hold Big E. Cesaro hits a running uppercut on Kofi and covers for 1...2...no. Cesaro tags Kidd in and does a backbreaker while Tyson jumps off the top with an elbow. Kidd covers for 1....2....NOOOOOO. Kidd goes for the sharpshooter on Kofi and hits it as Cesaro throws Big E over the announce table. Kofi escapes the sharpshooter and tags in Cesaro for the super uppercut. Cesaro covers but Big E breaks up the count. Woods rips his jacket off and runs into the ring, hitting a small package on Cesaro. The ref turns around for 1...2...3 to win the match. Lawler and Cole cry that he wasn't in the match and Cole yells at the ref to wake up. Wowwwww what an ending, talk about nuclear heat. The heels retreat with the belts as Kidd & Cesaro are irate in the ring. That was a hell of a match and the New Day needed every dirty tactic in the book to counter the technique of Kidd and power of Cesaro. 2 for 2 so far on this show....not counting the pre-show.
Time of match: 12:44
Winners: New Day 2 falls to 1 (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Backstage Ryback gets ready for Bray Wyatt as Byron Saxton asks what his mindset is. He says Bray is trying to play mind games with him but Ryback isn't afraid of him. He says he'll take Bray out and "Feed Me More".
Match 4
Bray Wyatt vs Ryback
It was never fully explained why these two are feuding, Wyatt just woke up one day and decided to mess with Ryback. In terms of company status, Wyatt and Ryback have both fallen off the ladder since Wrestlemania and essentially whoever loses this match is basically done as a main attraction. Bell's gone and Ryback controls with shoulderblocks. Ryback hits about seven in a row then drops Bray with a shoulder tackle. Ryback covers for a deuce but Wyatt headbutts him. The adults and kids play "Let's go Ryback/Let's go Wyatt" as Ryback hits a Thesz press. Wyatt retreats outside and Ryback drives him spine first into the barricade. Back inside Ryback bullrushes Wyatt into the corner again but Bray counters with a shoulderblock. Bray chokes him on the second rope and forearms Bray in the side. Bray puts on a chinlock as Cole gives a half assed excuse of why they're fighting "Bray said Ryback was in my way." Ryback ducks a line and rallies with shoulderblocks and a scoop slam. He covers for one but a charge in the corner eats ring post. Bray hits a modified DDT on the ring apron and a senton from the apron to the floor. The ref starts the count and Ryback barely makes it back in time. Bray pounces with stomps and a big right hand. Bray hits a splash in the corner and decides to showboat on the second rope. Ryback grabs and powerbombs him in the center of the ring. Ryback hits a powerslam and covers for 1..2...no. Wyatt bails to the outside and suckers Ryback into charging only to clothesline Ryback down. Back inside Wyatt covers for 1...2...no. Wyatt hits a suplex throw and a running knee in the corner. Bray runs to the other corner but turns around into a splash. Wyatt ducks the Meat Hook but runs into a kick to the gut. Ryback hits a spinebuster and covers for 1...2..no. Ryback calls for the Shell Shock but Wyatt drives him into the corner. Wyatt on the second rope goes for the superplex but Ryback blocks it. Ryback headbutts him down and hits a Superfly splash. He covers for 1..2...no. JBL says if he hooked the leg it was over. Wyatt goes for Sister Abigail but Ryback counters by going for the Shell Shock. Wyatt grabs the rope and rips the turnbuckle pad off. The ref goes to pick it up and Wyatt drives Ryback into the exposed steel. Ryback staggers right into Sister Abigail. Wyatt covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. That was a pretty good hoss match and that should do it for Ryback as a main attraction. Wyatt was in a downward spiral since losing at Wrestlemania and this gave him some momentum.
Time of match: 10:55
Winner: Wyatt by pinfall
The announcers hype up the I Quit Match for the US title coming up next. Cole says this is the final chapter in Rusev vs Cena. No backstage interviews, we get right to it. Rusev and Cena makes their entrances with Cena running in. Cole on commentary says Cena faced JBL in a I Quit match once and JBL says he couldn't make Cena say it, Rusev is going to find out he can't either.
Match 5
Alexander Rusev (with Lana) vs John Cena for the WWE United States Championship in an I Quit Match
The writing's been on the wall from day 1 but much like how The Undertaker rarely lost a casket match, there was no chance in hell John Cena would ever lose an I Quit match. Bell's gone an Rusev stares a hole in Cena. The crowd plays "Let's Go Cena/Cena Sucks" but a LOT more Cena supporters than usual. Rusev grabs a mic and says half of the people hate Cena already so just give up now so there's no pain. Cena doesn't even dignify that with a response as the crowd chants USA. Cena attacks Rusev but gets a kick to the back. Rusev splashes Cena in the corner and the crowd chants "We Want Lana" Rusev grabs a chair and makes her sit down....the hell is that supposed to accomplish? Cena hits a suplex on Rusev but misses a charge in the corner. Rusev kicks at Cena then punches him down. Rusev hits some knees to the ribs as Cole says Cena is a 15 time champion. A big right hand is followed by a dropkick and referee Mike Chioda asks Cena if he quits. Cena pushes the mic away and Rusev hits another dropkick. Once again Cena tells Chioda to get lost as the crowd chants for Lana again. Rusev hits a spinning heel kick and starts yelling at Lana for absolutely no reason. Cole says he needs to worry less about her and worry about Cena. Rusev tells Lana to get up and give him the Russian flag. He waives it in the ring as Lawler shouts he hasn't won anything yet. Cena ducks the line and hits the two shoulder tackles before the back suplex. Cena hits the 5 knuckle shuffle but Rusev powers out of the FU. Rusev hits a fallaway slam and Cena rolls outside. Chioda asks him but Cena says no. Rusev sends Cena into the steel steps and Chioda asks again, Cena says no. Chioda asks a second time and Cena says "No!" Rusev tosses Cena in the ring and sets up the steel steps in the corner. Chioda asks and Cena screams no before Rusev sends him into the steps. Chioda asks, Cena "NO!" Rusev demands Cena quits and Cena pushes him away. Rusev sets the steps up in the center of the ring and Rusev goes for a piledriver but Cena backdrops him. Cena hits some right hands but his body press is countered into a slam onto the steps. Chioda asks and Cena says no, Rusev can't believe it. Cena goes for a stomp but Cena moves. John pounces and hits the FU on the steel steps. Chioda asks Rusev and Rusev doesn't even answer. Cena grabs the steps but Rusev beats feat outside. Cena throws the steps at Rusev but he moves just in time. Outside Cena runs into a kick but counters a whip, sending Rusev into the ring post. Chioda asks and Rusev doesn't answer again. Cena threatens to put him through the barricade but Rusev refuses to quit. Cena indeed barrels Rusev through the barricade. Chioda asks Rusev and Rusev still doesn't answer. Cena grabs a storage container but Rusev superkicks him. Chioda asks and Cena pushes the mic out of his face. The problem is Cena is trying to sell the kick, Chioda asking him immediately screws over Rusev if he answers. They brawl around the arena and Cena goes for an FU on the concrete, but Rusev counters by pushing him off. Cena and Rusev brawl to the production area and Cena sets up a table against the guardrail. Cena hits Rusev with a TV monitor and Chioda asks. Rusev screams incoherently and the match continues. Roddy Piper would have called the match over. Cena hits Rusev again but Rusev doesn't answer. Cena finds somebodies laptop computer and whacks Rusev with it. Rusev hides behind the table but Cena catches him, only for Rusev to hit an Alabama Slam through the table. Cena refuses to give it up and Rusev starts grabbing some power cables. He somehow discovers how to set pyro off as Cena crawls to the entrance ramp. Rusev goes for the high kick but Cena ducks and hits the FU onto the pyro system causing fireworks to shoot. Lana runs over to check on Rusev but Rusev refuses to give it up. Cena then grabs an old metal guardrail and Chioda asks Rusev if he wants to quit. Rusev says no and Cena waffles him with the metal rail. Rusev still refuses to give it up so Cena sets the guardrail up against the ring. Cena goes for the FU but Rusev counters with a suplex through it. Chioda asks Cena and John says "hell no." JBL says he knew Cena would never give it up and Rusev throws Cena into the ring. Rusev hits the big kick and calls for the Accolade. Rusev locks it in right in the middle of the ring. JBL doesn't know if Cena can survive this and Cena immediately stands up, sending Rusev back first into the corner. Rusev doesn't let go and Cena crumples to the mat as Cole says that was Cena's last gap. Chioda asks Cena if he quits but Cena doesn't answer. Rusev lets go and celebrates thinking he's won. Rusev apparently forgot this is an I Quit Match, standard submission rules don't apply. Chioda has to tell him Cena HAS to say I Quit. Lawler is on the fence as Cena couldn't physically quit even if he wanted to. Rusev gets pissed and unhooks the top rope before grabbing a water bottle from ring side. Rusev dumps it on Cena to revive him and goes to throttle John with the top rope. Cena ducks under and locks in the STFU with the top rope. JBL "Big match John has done it again!" Chioda asks but Rusev screams in Russian. Lana runs in and screams "HE QUITS! HE QUITS!" and the ref calls for it. Rusev keeps some of his heat by not actually quitting himself but there was no way in hell Cena was losing this. The American flag is unfurled as Cena celebrates with the title. That was definitely the worst match of the night but I Quit Matches are usually cucka anyway.
Time of match: 28:02
Winner: John Cena (still US Champion)
We cut to Renee Young at the Kickoff Table with Booker T and Corey Graves. She runs down what we've already seen with Book and Graves making predictions on the remaining matches. We go to a highlight of the pre-show match showing The Ascension winning and then we cut to Byron Saxton with The New Day holding champaign glasses of milk. Saxton congratulates them and they toast each other while Big E says they're role models who don't spit, curse or complain. Kofi says they don't care who they face next and Byron says he's here to inform them about Elimination Chamber. Woods cuts him off saying they already know that the Intercontinental Championship is up for grabs and it'll be very exciting. Saxton says he just heard that New Day will be defending the tag belts in the first ever tag team Elimination Chamber match....which causes Big E to do a forced spittake. Woods "What the HELL?" They all complain and Byron says "I guess its a....new day." Ha..ha... We'll, if nothing else we got something going for Elimination Chamber. On to the next match.
Match 6
The Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie) vs Naomi and Tamina Snuka
This stems from the fallout of Paige getting hurt and AJ Lee leaving WWE right around the same time which led to a Bella Twins face turn out of literal nowhere. Naomi needed backup since they didn't want to reunite her with Cameron so they dug up Tamina as her defacto bodyguard. The crowd hasn't given a damn at all about any of them which is the sign of the times that the Divas era is coming to an end. We start with Nikki and Naomi. Naomi kicks her into the corner but Nikki hits a springboard dropkick, covering for 1...2..no. Brie tags in for the double facebuster as Cole says we'll get more IC title info later. Naomi gets a double running knee as Brie randomly shouts "BRIEEE MODEEE" causing Brian Zane somewhere to cover his ears. Brie hits another running knee and Naomi bails to the outside. Brie throws Naomi back in but Tamina clocks Brie with a superkick. Nikki asks if Brie is okay....does she look okay? Naomi throws Brie back in and covers for 1...2..no. Naomi throws Brie down by the hair and stands on it. Naomi utilizes the 5 count then throws her down again before kicking Brie in the ribs. Tamina tags in for the snap mare and kick to the back. Tamina dumps Nikki off the apron and kicks Brie into the corner. JBL says Naomi has every right to be mad after being overlooked as Tamina backs Brie into the corner, Naomi tagging in. Naomi hits a neckbreaker and covers for 1....2..no. Naomi locks in a facelock as JBL says Fabulous Moolah started her 27 year run as champion here in Baltimore. Brie does a jawbreaker and lands on her head after botching a sunset flip, getting Nikki the hot tag. Nikki cleans house of Naomi and hits the Alabama Slam. She covers but Tamina kicks her off. Nikki dropkicks Tamina through the ropes....or not since Tamina's foot is caught. Nikki has to struggle just to push her off only to get rolled up by Naomi for 1...2...no. Tamina distracts Nikki long enough for Naomi to hit the Rear View. Naomi hooks the legs for 1...2...no. Brie from nowhere jumps off the steel steps onto Tamina for a mock cheer. Nikki hits a spinebuster and covers for 1..2..no. Nikki goes upstairs but Tamina throws Brie into the barricade, causing Nikki to hesitate. That allows Naomi to throw Nikki off the top. Naomi covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. What? THAT beats the Divas champ? Bad match and that's due to the "Divas". The winds of change are coming, fans just had to wait a little bit longer.
Time of match: 6:13
Winners: Naomi and Tamina by pinfall
We cut to Lana in the back sitting in a chair with Rusev pacing back and forth. Rusev shouts in Bulgarian and tells Lana to get out. She doesn't move so he tells her again to get out. Lana leaves and he throws the chair against the wall. It'll be interesting to see where he goes from here. Michael Cole takes us back to Raw where Daniel Bryan retired and relinquished the IC title. A new champion will be crowned at Elimination Chamber. On to the next match.
Match 7
Wade Barrett vs Adrian Neville
This stems from last month where Barrett pinned Neville to win the King of The Ring and has been running his mouth since. Bell's gone and Neville rolls him up quickly for a two count and Neville hits a crossbody and a head scissors. Barrett retreats outside where Neville leaps over him onto the floor and spin kicks him in the ribs. Neville is kicked by Barrett who JBL calls the royal boot. Barrett rams Neville into the side of the ring and throws him inside. Barrett throws Neville on to the top rope and pounds away on his back. JBL reels off different kings over the years as Barrett covers for a deuce. Barrett locks in a chinlock as JBL says Lawler is jealous of Barrett causing both Jerry and Michael to laugh at him. Neville's springboard is blocked by a big boot as JBL says Bret Hart, Steve Austin & Harley Race have won KOTR in the past. A knee to the back followed by a cover only gets two for Barrett and Wade chokes him on the second rope. Wade knees Neville in between the second and top rope before booting him to the floor. JBL just keeps talking nonsense as Barrett draws some heat by blowing kisses to the crowd. Wade throws Neville inside and covers for a 1. Wade locks in a chinlock but Neville rolls out of it. Neville hits spinkicks, a dropkick and a flying forearm. Neville hits the standing shooting star press and covers for 1...2..no. Neville goes for Red Arrow but Barrett blocks him. Barrett lands a kick to the rib and loads up the Bullhammer. Neville ducks it but runs into Winds of Change, covering for 1...2..no. Neville goes for a springboard but notices Barrett loading the Bullhammer. Neville counters with an arm drag pin for 1...2..no. Neville drops Barrett with a standing enziguiri and goes for Red Arrow. Barrett rolls out of the ring and Neville hits a flipping suicide dive. The ref counts to six when Neville gets in. Barrett says screw it and walks off, earning a count out. The crowd is PISSED at Barrett taking the coward's way out. Guess Vince didn't want Barrett and Neville to have a conclusion here despite the "feud" being 1-1 since Extreme Rules. We've seen these two do better.
Time of match: 7:08
Winner: Neville by count-out.
After the match Barrett sneak attacks Neville in the ring and punches away on him. Cole "Some king.." Neville is heaved over the top rope and Barrett sends him into the steel steps. Barrett sends him into the barricade and celebrates in the ring with his robe, scepter and crown. Lawler says he didn't even win. Neville slides back in, ducks under the scepter swing and hits a German suplex to snap the scepter. Neville goes upstairs and hits Red Arrow to make the crowd happy. Still a pointless ending but whatever. We go to the highlights with Cole cracking Humpty Dumpty jokes and Neville trash talks Barrett before leaving. Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring with J & J in tow. Kane walks up to him and says he only has one thing to say....good luck. We get the pre-match highlight package showing how Kane has been making Seth's life hell by first making the main event of Payback first a triple threat between Rollins, Randy Orton and Roman Reigns then making it a Fatal Four Way by adding Dean Ambrose. During the package Triple H has to be peacemaker by saying Kane will be fired as Director of Operations if Rollins doesn't win. Kane makes his way to ringside for the main event as Cole speculates what Kane will do. As Randy Orton makes his entrance, JBL says if he hits the RKO like he did at Wrestlemania, he'll be a 13 time champion. Cole says Ambrose told him that he's got nothing to lose as Dean makes his entrance. JBL says it would be terrible if the lunatic wins the title as Cole lists Roman Reigns' accolades this year so far. Reigns won the Royal Rumble, beat Daniel Bryan, damn near had Brock Lesnar beat and knocked off Big Show at Extreme Rules. JBL says he'll be Superstar of The Year if he wins this one. Rollins enters last as Cole says Seth won Money In The Bank last year in order to pull off the Wrestlemania cash in and asks who will win the briefcase this year. Concentrate on tonight first, will ya Cole? On to the match.
Match 8
Randy Orton vs Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins (with J & J Security) for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
During Eden Stiles intro, Randy Orton has to be held back by referee Charles Robinson from attacking Seth. Reigns gets the John Cena treatment as he gets booed by half the crowd and cheered by the other half. Ambrose is the fan favorite judging by crowd reaction. Bell's gone and the faces all stalk Rollins but Mercury pulls out Ambrose, Noble pulls out Reigns and Orton turns his back. Rollins ambushes Orton in the ring which sends Orton to the floor. Orton punches Rollins only for Ambrose to do away with Mercury. Ambrose gets in the ring and dumps Rollins then hits a suicide dive on both Rollins & Orton. J & J Security pounce on Ambrose but here comes Roman Reigns to dive on everyone. Reigns isolates Rollins in the ring as Seth runs into a tilt-a-whirl slam. Roman covers for one then drops Rollins with an uppercut. King "There's something about Seth Rollins' face that attracts Roman Reigns' fist". Seth throws Reigns face first into the buckle and Ambrose hits a an elbow drop on Rollins who was still standing. Orton rushes in and uppercuts Ambrose in the corner. Ambrose and Orton trade punches in the corner before Dean lands a bulldog. Ambrose lands strikes on Orton but Randy uppercuts him, hitting the side backbreaker. Orton covers but Reigns breaks up the count. Reigns blocks an RKO and uppercuts Orton only to duck when Ambrose charges. Ambrose and Orton go flying together with Rollins jumping on Reigns from behind. Rollins kicks away at Reigns and splashes him in the corner. Ambrose rushes Rollins in the corner and sends him into Reigns for a lariat. Ambrose and Reigns bump fists then put the boots to Rollins. Ambrose hits a clothesline and tells Roman to load up the Superman Punch. Reigns calls for it but is pulled outside by Kane. Little early for this don't you think? Kane throws Reigns into the barricade and here comes Ambrose outside to rush Kane. Kane uppercuts Ambrose and throws him in the ring. Orton tries to get in but he's pulled down by J & J. Orton fights them off but Kane comes over to stomp away on Orton. Rollins takes down Ambrose and covers for 1...2...no. Lawler is depressed as JBL knew Kane would do the right thing. Rollins hits the slingshot knee drop and covers for 1...2...no. Kane rips his coat, tie and shirt off as Rollins hits the buckle bomb. Rollins hits the superkick and covers for 1...2...nope. Rollins puts the boots to Ambrose and goes for another buckle bomb but Dean fights out of it. Rollins dropkicks Ambrose who slingshots himself into a lariat that sends Rollins into a 360. Ambrose punches down Noble and Mercury and goes for Dirty Deeds on Rollins. Kane saves Rollins by grabbing Ambrose by the throat and chokeslams him. Lawler says Kane should just make the 3 count himself. Rollins covers for 1...2...NOOOO. Orton pulls Kane off the apron and Reigns hits a dropkick on him. Orton clotheslines Reigns down and gets back in. Orton clotheslines Rollins down and Ambrose over the top to the floor. Orton goes for the powerslam but Rollins catches himself on the ropes. Orton hits a t-bone Taz plex and covers for 1..2....no. Rollins snaps Orton off the top rope but gets caught himself up there. Orton hits the superplex and covers for 1..2...no. Rollins rolls outside and Orton stalks him. Orton on the outside drops Seth and back suplexes him on the barricade. Orton tears apart the announce table as JBL says the Spanish announce table is right over there (hahahaha!). All four men brawl on the outside but Orton gets dropped. Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns look at each other and Rollins calls for the Shield Bomb. The crowd springs to life as the Shield briefly reunite to put the boots to Orton. They hit the Shield Bomb on Orton and the crowd explodes. Reigns fist bumps Ambrose and Shields puts his arms around both men screaming "yeahh" only for Dean & Roman to slowly turn their heads to him. Rollins puts his fist out but the other two don't return it and glare at him. Ambrose and Reigns double team Rollins and tear apart the Spanish announce table. Cole tells JBL to get out of the way and JBL says he's trying. The crowd chants "This is awesome" but Kane interrupts. Ambrose and Reigns turn their attention to Kane and ram him against the post. Roman plants Rollins on the table and they do a double powerbomb on Kane on Rollins....but the table doesn't break. The crowd chants "one more time" as Ambrose & Reigns cater to the crowd. They try it one more time and this time the table breaks as the crowd explodes. Orton, Rollins and Kane are sprawled out as Ambrose looks at Reigns. Reigns "Not much else to do." Ambrose "No there's not." Roman "Loser buys the beers?" Ambrose nods and slides into the ring. Reigns jumps in as the crowd plays Let's go Ambrose/Let's go Roman. They play yay boo with Dean getting the yays until he hits a flying bodypress. Reigns recovers to roll him up for 1...2..no. Reigns pulls him up for a powerbomb getting 1...2...no. Reigns playfully taunts Ambrose and calls for the Superman Punch. Ambrose moves and rolls up Roman for a deuce but Roman hits the punch anyway. Roman covers for 1...2...no. Roman is all smiles and calls for the spear. Roman but runs into a knee. Dirty Deeds is countered, Roman ducks under a line and hits the spear. Reigns covers for 1....2...nooo, Rollins dives in at the last second to break up the count. JBL says Reigns was a fraction of a second away. Reigns chases Rollins outside but here comes J & J Security again. Too bad they're out of tables to put them through. Reigns throws them around anyway and continues to stalk Rollins who slides inside the ring...into a right hand from Ambrose. Rollins hits an enziguiri on Ambrose but is hit with a Superman Punch from Reigns. Ambrose hits a lariat on Reigns and hits Dirty Deeds on Rollins. Ambrose covers for 1....2..no, Kane pulls out Dean. Kane lays out Ambrose with the steel steps and waffles Reigns with them as well. Kane chokeslams Reigns on the stairs but a revived Orton shoves Kane into the ring post. Rollins goes for the Orton DDT but Orton backdrops him to the apron. Mercury pulls Rollins off but Noble catches an RKO in the ring. Mercury runs in and gets an RKO as well. Rollins comes off the top and Orton catches him with a powerslam. Randy hits the Vintage DDT and calls for a final RKO. Rollins blocks it as Kane slides in. Randy turns around and hits Kane with the RKO but Rollins hits a lousy looking pedigree. Rollins covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Damn good match with some fun moments but Kane assisting Rollins early kind of ruined the suspense. Essentially it was Orton, Ambrose and Reigns against J&J, Kane and Rollins. Still, it was a great match and Rollins walks out the champ.
Time of match: 21:00
Winner: Rollins by (still WWE Champion)
After the match is over, Triple H himself comes out and pulls Rollins to his feet. Hunter celebrates with Rollins at the entrance as the defeated opponents can't believe it. King sarcastically says "best for business as we sign off. Overall the show started out very strong but Rusev/Cena dragged, the Divas match was worthless and even Neville/Barrett disappointed. The the main event got back on track and it turned into a real free for all. The Shield reuniting for two minutes was fun and Cena sending Rusev to mid-card hell was pretty funny. Now the fallout will be the questions. If Rollins just beat his top 3 contenders, now what? Will one of them get a singles match at EC or MITB? Who will be in the Elimination Chamber tag match in a few weeks? Who will Bray Wyatt randomly attack next? Now we have to go search for clues. We all knew Kane wasn't going to turn face so now let's see where the main event scene goes from here. The next show after this is tomorrow night's Raw. I'll see you there.
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