WWE PAYBACK MATCHES & PREDICTIONS-UPDATED

Some things have been added to the card like the United States Championship match on the pre-show, and Baron Corbin against Dolph Ziggler. On RAW, Stephanie McMahon stated that Vince McMahon would be announcing who would be running Monday Night RAW. Although this is Sports Entertainment, can't see any reason to not have Shane be in charge, and perhaps this could spawn RAW and Smackdown! splitting. Anyways, back  to Payback and predictions...

WWE United States Championship
Ryback V Kalisto (C)
Prediction: Ryback new US Champ.

-Perhaps a Sin Cara heel turn. Ryback doesn't have much else going for him at the moment so why not? To be honest, this guy needs a manager or valet. Not Heyman, but someone else to do his talking and help him go full heel. This is why Vince shouldn't have let the art form die out.

Baron Corbin V Dolph Ziggler
Prediction: Corbin pins The Showoff 1-2-3.

-Dolph seems to be the guy who tests the new guys whom are of the heel nature after their run of squash matches are over. This will be Corbin's first real main roster feud, and Ziggler knows he can still look amazing taking a loss to a rookie. I must add I like the new red in Baron's entrance. They never got the camera angles right on the main shows with the blinding white light, so the red adds to the auro of his persona.

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERS MATCH

The Vaudevillains V Enzo & Cass

Prediction: The Vaudevillains win.

-I am huge on Enzo & Cass, as are many others, so they are too obvious as well as being an over face team, which is an issue with The New Day being over as well. I can see The Vaudevillains possibly getting stale (unless the gimmick evolves over time), but would be a good opposition to The New Day given the difference in gimmicks. And, I see the Dudley Boyz getting involved and beginning a war with Enzo & Cass. Possibly taking the new team to yet another level.

Kevin Owens V Sami Zayn

Prediction: Sami Zayn with the win.

-Sami has been on the receiving end too many time for this not to culminate with a victory over his long time friend and antagonist, Kevin Owens. Regardless to who wins this or the main event, good chance the next Number 1 contender comes from this bout. Why? Both are over, and this is going to possibly be Savage/Steamboat at Mania 3 good.

Chris Jericho V Dean Ambrose

Prediction: Dean Ambrose defeats Y2J

-No offense to Jericho, who is a future first ballot Hall Of Famer, but after the beating Dean took at Wrestlemania 32 at the hands of Brock Lesner he deserves a win here. Jericho can make him look even better in the process like he does. Why not pass the torch of "talk shows" while they're at it too, Dean's Ambrose Asylum has been pretty decent in its infancy.

WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

 The Vaudevillains V The New Day (C)

Prediction: The Vaudevillains are new Tag Team Champions.

-Hard to pick given the height The New Day has reached in terms of being over, and The Vaudevillains are rookies with no real exposure on the main roster beyond their matches. So the shock value plays in here, and also shows a start of the supposed change happening.

WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Miz (C) V Cesaro

Prediction: Cesaro as new IC Champion.

-The title doesn't make the superstar, the star makes the title. Time to see the Swiss Superman begin his ascension into the main event picture, starting by having a good run with the Intercontinental Championship. Plus, I am already bored with Maryse's return. I hate them mostly, but time for a battle with another couple. I am pretty sure the Cesaro Section agrees.

WWE WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP

Charlotte (C) w/Ric Flair V Natalya w/Bret Hart

Prediction: Natalya takes the title.

-Slightly bias being Canadian, but also although we're not looking for a direct Ric Flair clone, it would be interesting to see how Charlotte handles a loss. Naitch is a sixteen time World Champ, but that means he lost it that many times as well. Plus, Flair Country is on Hart Land haha

WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

AJ Styles V Roman Reigns (C)

Prediction: Roman retains.

-If you read my other posts, then you know this is a very hard one to predict fully. Even though I want AJ Styles to win, I don't see the Roman Empire's reign ending so quickly. Again. I have this gut feeling Anderson and Gallows are going to screw over AJ, add rumors of Finn Balor making his debut soon adds to that. The actions on RAW in London simply added to that feeling. Or maybe they try to help and the Usos get involved and start a war...adding Balor and Samoa Joe (not "Dynasty" but Samoan regardless, and respect has got to be there). Or does The Balor Club join or work for The Authority? Will Roman join Triple H and Stephanie now? Make for a good set-up for Rollins return, who is likely going to be turned face by fans upon his return. Was Champ and top guy in The Authority, coming back to Roman in his spot would make sense.

It is really hard to call as of late, and like DDP of old would say, that's a good thing. With Wrestlemania 32 I went perfect on the pre-show, and then got only the one I wanted to be wrong on correct. The new additions and proposed "change" has things highly unpredictable right now. It feels much better making guesses based more on likes and dislikes, instead of predictability in recent years.

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BASH AT THE...SURVIVOR SERIES

This idea or theory will likely end up in the "beating a dead horse" pile, along with all the other theories and opinions of those who want John Cena to finally turn heel. However, there is always that small chance that it could come to fruition. Didn't have social media in the late 80's and early to mid-90's, so not too sure how people viewed the "Hogan Era". Hulk Hogan as a baby face did run dry, and eventually lead to one of the greatest moments in wrestling history, when the Hulkster turned heel, and formed the n.W.o. with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

Survivor Series is the next WWE pay per view, and they will have a classic Survivor Series match with Team Cena facing off against Team Authority. First, there is the obvious Hogan comparison. Started as a heel, then turned into a baby face, and hasn't looked back despite how dry the character is becoming. Cena has said that all the fans would simply start cheering him, and he is right. Same thing really happened with Hogan when he turned. Sure he got his share of boo's as heels do, but like the rest of the n.W.o. he became "cool" again (for a period of time) and rejuvenated his career. John Cena needs to do this, and take things to another level, or at least in another direction. Number one money maker in WWE, but imagine the profits if he were popular with the majority again. Also, Cena has been sporting a lot of red and yellow (before Breast Cancer Awareness effort in October).
Second, they have hinted at a Cena heel turn on a few occasions. Most notably, joining The Authority. Who is whom Team Cena will be facing at Survivor Series. It's almost a perfect setting, more so if remaining similar to Hogan. Of course it doesn't all have to be the same as Hulksters turn, but most of wrestling is reused, but updated and tweaked story lines, etc. At least it will add something new for the next Cena vs Orton feud, which we all know will eventually happen again one day (it's their new Rock/HHH from back in the day).
Lastly, like Hogan, Cena is often accused of holding people back or not allowing others to break the proverbial glass ceiling. Mostly by the IWC, but regardless, it would be an opportunity to help squash those comments and put over new baby faces, instead of crushing heels which include those who turned in order to fit into the main event picture. Goldberg was over, but became "the man" after Hollywood Hulk Hogan did the honors. Dolph Ziggler? Kofi Kingston? The list long regardless of who should be on it.

It has been shot down over and over, but with the WWE Network being rumored as the reason for The Streak ending makes it a possibility. Even if just a very small one. Survivor Series would be a great place and time to do so. A sure way for him to continue to receive boo's from the crowd would be to have his relationship with Nikki Bella part of the storyline.

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CM PUNK COMING BACK?

It is professional wrestling, so nothing is too far fetched, and unless they work amongst those "in the know" nobody can say, "that isn't going to happen" or "that will never happen". Some fans are open-mined enough to at least think about the match or scenario someone has laid out for them. Others are a tad bit close-minded and most times can't even accept what they are watching let alone an alternate theory or possibility. And of course there are those still stuck in a specific era of wrestling (from classic, to the 80's and the Attitude Era), however much like the people who don't even watch, their opinions are generally worth less than the Canadian penny.

With the age we live in, and the WWE being more tapped into the fans via Twitter and Facebook, it is harder than ever to tell what is a work and what is a shoot. The saying goes that everything related to wrestling is a work, but that is only because Vince and the wrestlers are smart enough to see when real life situations present a financial opportunity. As we all know, when it comes to business, Vinnie Mac always puts personal feelings aside. Possible exceptions of course, but how do we know for sure it was ever on Vince's part or if there was actual money to be made from them. How many times have we seen Hulk return over the years? Why is welcome back? Hulk makes Vince money (love or hate him, when the Hulkster returns to a WWE platform, it is usually good for business. Elsewhere? Not so much.

With all of that being said, CM Punk's apparent leaving the WWE. How do we know this isn't all one giant, brilliant "work"? The Stone Cold Steve Austin reference was almost too obvious. Add that there were rumors that Punk was hurt at the Rumble right before his departure. Then, we see CM Punk at various places from "The Talking Dead", to UFC events, as well as pics of him hanging out with a bunch of MMA stars. Which natually have sparked talks about Punk taking his MMA training into an octogon. How do we know this isn't all part of a plan by Punk and WWE? It isn't TNA or ROH who have the numbers to match WWE's, it is the UFC. With him being seen there, it is also almost free advertsing for the WWE. Remember that buzz that stemmed from Taker being face to face with Brock after one of Lesner's fights? Even the MMA world was talking about that. So is it too far fetched to think that CM Punk is currently resting and healing right now, and is doing more of the higher viewed spots (he's cancelled some smaller appearances) to keep his name out there as well as the WWE's with Wrestlemania XXX coming up? I don't think so.

Now this part, is a mix of what was stated already, mixed with a bit of dreaming and concluding with what I would say is "good for busniess". Flashback to near the end of 2013. CM Punk has just finished up with his feud with Paul Heyman. He is starting to take the jabs at The Authority, mainly Triple H. Punk is starting to team-up with Daniel Bryan both with grudge against The Authority, when Bryan is attacked and begins a short battle with the Wyatt Family. Daniel Bryan even became a member of the family in order to infiltrate and get Bray alone to throw him an butt kicking. Punk kept jabbing at Triple H and company and then the Royal Rumble happened. He kept jabbing for a few weeks later, then poof! he was gone. Punk was supposed to be in the Elimination Chamber, rumors were swirling that he wasn't happy with being in a match with Triple H at Mania. For the longest time, nobody would even give a definite answer in saying he was gone. One thing everyone was saying, was that he needed to heal up both physically and mentally after pushing so hard for so long. I may be alone, but I am thinking that Punk was injured or burnt out, and was given the time off. And everything since has been "worked" by both parties. Punk getting face time elsewhere, expanding the WWE brand. WWE has been loading their scripts with things that they know the online audience will feed into, and continue to advance this story overshadowing one of their "suprises". They may have thrown a curve tonight by making it that whoever wins between HHH and Bryan enters the main event with Batista and Orton. But, I am thinking Bryan (or both) enter the match, and just as Bryan is about to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt, CM Punk returns and screws him over. 

The next night on Raw, Punk would be declared the new "Face Of The WWE" and member of The Authority. He'd eventually win the title of course, if not handed the strap. And then a massive build-up to squaring off with Daniel Bryan at Summerslam. It was said that Bryan's path to the strap was to be a year long culmination at summer spectacular. Rumored that Vince is supposed to return to battle for control, why not have DB be the face of HIS company? Not many will agree with that. I can understand. It is just one of many scenerios that popped into the ol' skull. And of course, especially in this business where things change even during a match, don't read into rumors too much if at all. This was a mix of both, taking what rumors are out there, and going with but also against them. I will add though, that as much as I wanted Austin/Punk, I think Bryan is more the Austin of this generation, and Punk was more The Rock. Can't really compare any with each other, but if forced to that is how I see it at least in a mic style or character approach (Austin couldn't go back to heel after he "exploded", Rock went back and forth).

In closing, try not to initially throw this idea away. Think about it. Even for the sake of broadening ones mind, as it makes trying to play the guessing game with this industry a bit more fun. Especially the moments where we don't know what is truly coming next as there has been a trending problem at times in wrestling. Even without the internet. As always, the business will carry on without him, but it would be nice to think that Punk isn't finished. Contract is up in the Summer, TNA isn't "worthy" and ROH isn't "ready" (bigger star now), and a MMA career may be possible, not something I am itching to see like I was when I heard Brock started. Wrestlemania XXX in New Orleans in April is shaping up to be awesome. Should add something like a Title contract to the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, to add a bit more to it, as it does slightly come off as a typical Mania "filler match". I will let it slide for one year, as long as Big Show wins this as he is/was the next coming of The Boss, and seems to have been forced to not only take on a full-time schedule, but also forced to lay down to the likes of Rey Mysterio. Which was okay, and makes sense, but would Hogan slamming Andre at Mania 3 been have huge if we saw Andre lose to anyone, let alone someone smaller than even Hogan? Not really.

Okay, now I am done.

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