|Date: June 16, 2013
|Venue: Allstate Arena |City: Rosemont, Illinois
|Attendance: 14,623 |Buys: 196,000

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Payback…is coming. And now it’s here. The first ever Payback pay per view is tonight and there are no frills, it’s just a new PPV to the WWE PPV calendar with a cliche name. The main event tonight is a rematch between WWE Champion John Cena and challenger Ryback. It comes as no surprise as the match between the two men at Extreme Rules last month ended in a no-contest. Ryback challenged Cena to an ambulance match, which just so happens to be his transport of choice. Cena would up the odds and challenge Ryback to a three stages of hell match, which is a glorified two out of three falls match. The first fall would be a lumberjack match, the second a tables match and the third an ambulance match. Ryback accepted and the two are scheduled to meet in the super-gimmick match tonight.

The World Heavyweight Championship is also set to be defended as Dolph Ziggler returns to the ring and puts the title on the line against number one contender Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio won number one contendership by beating Jack Swagger at Extreme Rules last month. Ziggler hasn’t wrestled since winning the World Heavyweight Championship, tonight will be his in-ring return. Dolph’s main squeeze AJ Lee also finds herself in a title match. She became number one contender by winning a battle royal a couple of months ago and finally gets her title match tonight. Kaitlyn has been getting texts and presents from a secret admirer but it unfolded that it was a ruse the whole time from AJ to play mind games with the Divas Champion.

The Shield find themselves in two matches again tonight. They were finally beaten in six man tag team action by Randy Orton, Kane and Daniel Bryan. This earned the three men title matches but Vickie Guerrero chose to team Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan up to challenge Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins for the WWE Tag Team Championships knowing that they will struggle to exist. not to leave Kane out, Vickie would tell him that he would get a shot at Dean Ambrose and the United States Championship. Chris Jericho has made a challenge tonight to Paul Heyman’s AWOL client, CM Punk. Punk hasn’t been seen since the night after Wrestlemania and Jericho would tel Heyman that he wants to prove that he is the best in the world. Heyman accepted the challenge on behalf of CM Punk who will be returning to action in his his home city.

All of the titles in WWE are due to be defended tonight and the Intercontinental Championship will be defended in a triple threat match. Originally Wade Barrett was supposed to defend against The Miz and Fandango but following a concussion to Fandango he was taken out of the match and replaced with Curtis Axel. Axel, the man formally known as Michael Mcgillicutty is now managed by Paul Heyman and he hopes to take on the legacy from his father Mr Perfect and winning the Intercontinental Championship will go a long way to do that.

On the kick-off pre-show Sheamus defeated Damien Sandow.

The show kicks off with a video package based around Chicago gangsters. It’s pretty cool actually and different to the usual PPV opener.

Wade Barrett (c) vs. The Miz vs. Curtis Axel – Triple threat match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

This is a first time triple threat match between these three men. It’s a first PPV match for “Curtis Axel” who has previously wrestled as Michael Mcgillicutty who looks for his first PPV victory tonight. He’s joined by his manager Paul Heyman. The three men circle in the only early going but unsurprisingly it ends up with Miz taking on both heels. Miz disposes of Axel and goes one on one with Barrett. Axel looks to get back into the ring but Heyman tells him not to and to pick his moment. Barrett attacks Miz from behind but Miz ends up exiting the ring and throwing Axel back in where Barrett hits him with a pump handle slam. Miz breaks up the pinfall attempt and looks to hit the skull-crushing finale on Barrett who wrestles him off. Barrett hits Miz with a running boot for a two count. Barrett hits Miz with right hands as Axel takes another breather on the outside. Barrett hits Miz with a running knee for the first near fall of the night. Miz hits some left hands on Barrett but Wade takes him down with a kick.

Barrett attacks Curtis Axel as he looks to get back into the ring but Miz rolls up the champion for a two count. Barrett hits Miz with a clothesline but Axel then knocks Barrett out of the ring. Axel drops Miz with a dropkick and hits a big snapmare for a two count. Axel hits a knee to the middle section for another two count. The crowd sound restless. Axel hits a side suplex for a two count, Barrett saving the match there. Barrett lays into Axel who he was once associated with in The Nexus. Miz knocks Axel and Barrett with clotheslines and boots before throwing Axel into Barrett. Miz hits a running clothesline on Barrett and then heads to the top and hits a double axe handle on Barrett. Miz looks to lock on the figure four but Barrett fights him off and hits the winds of change for a two count. Barrett sets Axel up for wasteland but Axel slips off and hits the Perfect-plex for a near fall. Miz broke that one up. A few boo’s there for Miz breaking up the pin.

The Miz counters a side suplex from Axel and hits him with skull-crushing finale. Barrett then throws Miz out of the ring and pins Axel but Miz pulls Barrett out of the ring. Miz then gets in the ring and pins Axel who kicks out. Miz works the left knee of Axel and looks to lock on the figure four but Axel kicks him away. Miz back body drops Axel out of the ring and locks the figure four on Barrett! Axel then slides into the ring and pins Barrett! The referee counts the three! Curtis Axel wins the Intercontinental Championship! It was a clever finish for a triple threat as Miz could do nothing about it. A ok match to kick things off.

Rating: 5.75/10

There’s a VT about Mark Henry who last time we saw him, he said he was going home. We haven’t seen him since. But the package ends saying “Mark Henry returns”.

Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel are backstage with Heyman blowing smoke up Axels arse. They bump into Triple H who stares down the new Intercontinental Champion. Vince McMahon then shows up and shakes the hands of Axel and Heyman. McMahon hypes up Curtis Axel vs. Triple H on Raw but Triple H isn’t feeling it one bit.

Kaitlyn (c) vs. AJ Lee – WWE Divas Championship match

Amazingly this is AJ’s first ever pay per view match which seems mad considering she’s been a big part of Raw for 18 months. AJ has Big E Langston in her corner. AJ blows Kaitlyn a kiss who responds by kicking her in the gut and taking her down. AJ exits the ring and Kaitlyn follows before throwing AJ into the Spanish announcers. Kaitlyn throws AJ back into the ring and hits her with right hands. AJ manages to escape the ring again but Kaitlyn is with her. AJ runs away and then step up on to the apron and hits a dropkick on Kaitlyn. AJ throws Kaitlyn back into the ring and pins her for a two count. AJ chokes Kaitlyn on the middle rope and then pins Kaitlyn again for another two count. AJ locks on a cravat which Kaitlyn manages to get out of but AJ taker her right back down with a reverse elbow. AJ gets another two count and then hits two neckbreakers for a near fall.

AJ talks some smack and then locks on a sleeper which Kaitlyn gets out of but AJ hits a dropkick for another two count. Kaitlyn hits a dropkick of her own and then a clothesline, reverse elbow and a massive shoulder charge for a near fall. AJ manages to hit a crucifix pinfall for a one count but Kaitlyn powers out and hits a gutbuster. Kaitlyn whips off AJ’s belt somehow and then drags AJ back into the ring but AJ drags the ring apron with her. As the referee sees to the apron AJ grabs the belt, wraps it around her fist and punches Kaitlyn with it. AJ acts injured too and then slowly crawls over and pins Kaitlyn for a near fall. AJ heads to the top and looks for a cross body but Kaitlyn catches her and swings her around but then AJ manages to counter it into the black widow which is a version of the abdominal stretch. Kaitlyn manages to fight out of it and hits a backbreaker and then a big spear. Kaitlyn then sits AJ up and blows her a kiss before ramming her back down to the mat and pinning her for a near fall. Kaitlyn couldn’t have come across more stupid there.

Kaitlyn gets AJ up on her shoulder but AJ slips down. Kaitlyn runs at AJ in the corner but AJ hops up to the top rope and Kaitlyn hits the top turnbuckle. AJ locks the black widow on again and Kaitlyn tries to get out of it but she can’t and taps out! AJ Lee wins the Divas Championship tonight! Not a bad match between these two. Good psychology. Kaitlyn gets to her feet after the match crying and the fans chant “you tapped out”, nice. Layla then comes out and hugs her. This is a bit of a burial for Kaitlyn.

Rating: 5/10

Backstage Layla is seeing to Kaitlyn. Natalya and Alicia Fox also arrive to give their support. Kaitlyn apologises and leaves.

Michael Cole throws to the kick off panel of Josh Mathews, Big Show, R-Truth and Cody Rhodes. They debate the two matches so far.

There’s a package next for The Wyatt Family who are coming soon.

Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kane – United States Championship match

This is a first time singles PPV match between these two men. Ambrose walks out with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns but they leave and he walks to the ring by himself. Dean Ambrose has wrestled four PPV matches and won four PPV matches. Ambrose manages to avoid Kane’s right hand sin the early going and hit some right hands of his own. Kane hits an uppercut, reverse elbow, clothesline and suplex for a one count before applying a chinlock. Ambrose gets out of it and hits some headbutts but Kane hits a backbreaker. Kane hits some kicks to the back and another uppercut before hitting a hard Irish whip. Kane keeps the advantage with a shoulder charge, uppercut and another hard Irish whip. The crowd chant for Ambrose who takes the advantage with a low dropkick. Ambrose hits some lefts and rights and then a leg drag. Ambrose hits another leg drag and then an elbow drop before applying a chinlock of sorts.

Kane counters a neckbreaker and hits a powerslam before knocking Ambrose down with a big boot and heading to the top. Ambrose crotches Kane on the top and looks for a superplex but Kane fights him off and dives off for a flying clothesline but Ambrose ducks it and hits a flying standing elbow for a near fall. Ambrose applies a dragon sleeper and then a normal sleeper. Ambrose heads up the middle rope but Kane sees him coming and hits an uppercut. Kane looks for a chokeslam but Ambrose fights him off. Kane manages to hit a running boot and then a running low dropkick for a near fall. Ambrose looks for a sunset flip but Kane pulls him up to his feet. Ambrose hits a running knee, slaps and then a running dropkick for a near fall. Ambrose twists the arm of Kane and then heads to the top to hit old school but Kane pulls him down to the mat. Kane hits clotheslines and right hands and then a sidewalks slam for a two count.

Kane heads to the top and hits a flying clothesline before motioning for a chokeslam but Ambrose leaves the ring and drops Kane on the top rope. Kane then boots Ambrose out of the ring and follows him out. Ambrose slaps Kane and Kane replies with a big right hands. Kane then takes apart the Spanish announce table but Ambrose hits his challenger with a DDT on the outside. Ambrose slides back into the ring and the referee counts out Kane! Dean Ambrose wins tonight by count out!

Rating: 4/10

There’s a VT next for the return of Rob Van Dam! He returns at Money In The Bank!

We’re shown some footage form the pre-show with Sheamus defeating Damien Sandow.

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio – World Heavyweight Championship match

This is a first time PPV match between these two men. Alberto has Ricardo Rodriguez in his corner whilst Ziggler is joined by Big E Langston and the new Divas Champion AJ Lee. Ziggler gets a good reaction. Del Rio looks really pale, he looks ill. The Chicago crowd are definitely behind Ziggler in this one. Del Rio sends Dolph in for the ride but Ziggler puts the brakes on and leaves the ring. Back in the ring and Ziggler hits some right hands and kicks but Del Rio hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker causing Ziggler to exit the ring. Ziggler gets back into the ring and hits a cheap shot but Del Rio forces Ziggler back into the corner and hits some kicks. An “RVD” chant breaks out. Del Rio hits a headbutt and Ziggler sells. Del Rio then kicks Dolph in the head and stomps away at Ziggler before hitting a side suplex for a one count. Ziggler hits a big dropkick and then looks for a splash in the corner but Del Rio back body drops him out of the ring.

Del Rio smashes Ziggler off the announce desk a couple of times and Big E Langston then gets involved, shoving Del Rio down to the mat. The referee sends Big E to the back! Ziggler fights back with lefts and rights and then bounces Del Rio off the Spanish announce desk. Back in the ring but Del Rio kicks Ziggler in the head and then stomps away at the World Heavyweight Champion. Del Rio beats Zigglers head off the mat, he’s coming across as a heel in this one. Del Rio gets a two count on the pinfall and then applies a chinlock. Dolph gets out of it and then counters a suplex before locking on a sleeper. If I didn’t know better I’d say we’ve got as double turn happening here. Del Rio rams Ziggler head first into a top turnbuckle to break the sleeper. Del Rio then kicks Ziggler in the side of the head before hitting nine kidney shots and then a forearm to the back of the head. Alberto hits a backstabber for a near fall.

Del Rio motions for the cross arm breaker but Ziggler counters with a neckbreaker for a two count. Ziggler fires up with right hands and then a fame-asser for a near fall. Dolph heads to the top but Del Rio kicks him in the head and then hits an inverted superplex for a near fall. Del Rio kicks Ziggler out of the ring and then once again kicks him in the head. A trainer then sees to Ziggler on the outside. That kick looked brutal. Dolph gets to his feet but Del Rio knocks him back down with a baseball slide. Alberto rolls Ziggler back into the ring and hits him with a shining wizard for a near fall. Del Rio beats Dolph’s head off the mat as he loses patience. Ziggler hits a zig-zag from nowhere and both men are down. Del Rio is the first man up and hits a superkick to the side of Zigglers head before pinning him for the three. Alberto Del Rio wins the World Heavyweight Championship tonight, turning heel in the process. I actually really enjoyed this match. The psychology was fantastic and Ziggler took a real beating.

Rating: 9/10

We go back to the kick-off panel but they are interrupted by Ricardo Rodriguez and Alberto Del Rio who come back out to celebrate their title win much to the displeasure of the fans in attendance.

There’s a video package next for CM Punk and Chris Jericho.

Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk

This is the third pay per view match between these two men. CM Punk won the first two at Wrestlemania and Extreme Rules last year. CM Punk gets a big ovation in Chicago. CM Punk is definitely the fan favourite in this match. After a lock up the two men shove each other before Punk takes Jericho down and applies a leg-lock but Jericho counters with a hammerlock to boo’s from the crowd. Jericho applies a headlock but Punk gets out of it just for Jericho to knock him down with a shoulder charge. Punk hits a dropkick and a headlock takeover before working the left arm of Jericho. Punk looks for a tornado DDT but Jericho counters and then clotheslines CM Punk out of the ring. Jericho definitely playing the heel in this match. Jericho hits a baseball slide and then looks for a springboard dropkick but Punk counters, dropping Jericho on the top rope. Punk then heads to the top and hits a doubler axe handle for the first two count of the match.

Punk applies a wristlock as a “Colt Cabana” chant breaks out. Jericho wrestles out of the wristlock but Punk catches him with a knee to the gut for a two count. Punk then applies an armbar as we see Paul Heyman watching on. Jericho fights out of the armbar with right hands and hits an Irish whip before running into Punks boot. Punk then looks for a springboard clothesline but Jericho moves out of the way. Jericho hits a couple of shoulder charges and then heads to the top and hits a double axe handle and a bulldog. Punk avoids a lionsault but Jericho lands on his feet. Punk hits a neckbreaker for a two count and then a high knee before shouting “vintage Punk”. Jericho counters a bulldog and hits a lionsault for a near fall. Punk then sets up for the go to sleep out of nowhere but Jericho counters and locks on the Walls Of Jericho! Punk manages to counter and locks on a standing Anaconda Vice. Jericho tries to fight out of it but Jericho falls to the mat still in the hold. Jericho manages to get his feet to the ropes to force the break.

Punk motions for a Go To Sleep and scoops Jericho up but Jericho counters, catching the knee and attempts to lock on the Walls Of Jericho but Paul Heyman gets up on the apron which distracts Jericho! CM Punk then sets up for the go to sleep but he spots Heyman which distracts Punk and Jericho rolls him up for a near fall. Both men get to their feet and Punk knocks Jericho down with a kick to the face. Jericho hits a codebreaker out of nowhere for a near fall and then kicks away at Punk. The two men slug it out which results in Punk taking the advantage with a dropkick and then a running knee and a short-arm clothesline. Punk then heads to the top and hits the flying elbow drop. Punk motions for a go to sleep and hits it in the middle of the ring! He hooks the leg but Jericho kicks out at 2! The crowd chant for one more but Jericho blocks it. Punk then counters a codebreaker and clotheslines Jericho out of the ring. Punk hits a suicide dive and then looks for a springboard clothesline but Jericho counters with a codebreaker! Jericho hooks the leg and gets a near fall.

Jericho hits some right hands and elbows to the displeasure of the crowd. He then looks to lock on the Walls Of Jericho but Punk counters with a roll-up for a near fall. Punk hits some jabs and then looks for a hurricanrana but Jericho counters and locks on the Walls Of Jericho. Punk manages to get out of it, hits some right hands and a go to sleep and then a second which is enough for the three! CM Punk wins a great match tonight.

Rating: 7.75/10

The Shield (Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns) (c) vs. Daniel Bryan & Randy Orton – WWE Tag Team Championship match

This is a first time match between these two teams. Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns start the match and Reigns gets the early advantage. Bryan fires back with some kicks but runs into a clothesline for a one count. Reigns lays into Bryan with right hands in the corner and then tags in Seth Rollins who lays in some kicks. Rollins quickly tags back out to Reigns who fires Rollins into Bryan before following up with a big clothesline for a two count. Roman applies a chinlock which Daniel Bryan elbows his way out of but Roman takes him right back down with with an uppercut. Bryan hits a clothesline and then tags in Randy Orton as Reigns tags in Rollins. Orton hits clotheslines and then a powerslam on Seth before looking for a hangman’s DDT on Rollins but Reigns gets involved and Orton hits the move on Reigns instead. Rollins fires back with a big boot but gets caught with a powerslam for a near fall.

Randy hits a hangmans DDT on Rollins and then motions for an RKO but Rollins rolls out of the ring. Randy leans out of the ring but Reigns hits him with a superman punch. Rollins rolls Orton back into the ring and pins him for a two count. The crowd is a little flat for this one but that’s to be expected after the CM Punk match. Rollins tags in Reigns who lays in some stomps and pins Orton for a two count. Reigns chokes ORton with his boot and then distracts the referee which allows Rollins to get involved. Reigns then tags in Rollins who lays in the boots. Orton manages to fight off both members of The shield with right hands but gets caught by Rollins. Rollins then tags in Reigns who applies a chinlock and then hits a Samoan drop for a two count. Reigns tags in Rollins who applies a chinlock before tagging Roman Reigns back in. Orton manages to hit a big boot on Rollins and a t-bone suplex whilst avoiding a shoulder charge from Reigns, sending him into the ringpost.

Orton tags in Daniel Bryan who comes in with a missile dropkick on both tag team champions. Bryan hits running dropkicks on both men, sending Rollins to the outside and pins Reigns for a two count. The crowd have really livened up since Bryan has been tagged in. He hits some kicks on Reigns and pins him for a two count. Bryan low-bridges Reigns and then back body drops Rollins into his own tag team partner. Bryan then attempts a suicide dive but accidentally hits Randy Orton! Reigns then drops Bryan with a clothesline and rolls him back into the ring, pinning him for a two count. Reigns scoops Bryan up on to his shoulder and tags in Rollins but Bryan slips down and sends Reigns into Rollins! Bryan disposes of Reigns and then hits a double underhook superplex on Rollins for a near fall. Bryan then locks on the no lock! He breaks the hold to fight off Roman Reigns but Rollins rolls him up for a two count. Bryan then locks the no lock on again but Reigns breaks it up.

Reigns looks for a spear but Orton gets involved. Reigns then looks for a spear on Orton but he moves out the way and Bryan gets hit. Orton hits an RKO on Roman Reigns but Rollins pushes Orton out of the ring and hits a stomp on Bryan for the three! Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins retain the WWE Tag Team Championships!

Rating: 6/10

There’s a video package next for John Cena and Ryback.

John Cena (c) vs. Ryback – Three Stages Of Hell match for the WWE Championship

This is the second PPV match between these two men. The two men wrestled to a no contest at Extreme Rules last month. The lumberjacks for the first fall are Kane, The Miz, R-Truth, 3MB, The Prime Time Players, The Usos, The Great Khali, Sin Cara, Alex Riley, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Primo, Epico, Cesaro, Damien Sandow, Ted DiBiase, Wade Barrett, Sheamus, Brodus Clay, Tensai, JTG, Justin Gabriel, Yoshi Tatsu, Big E, Curtis Axel and Cody Rhodes.

First Fall – Lumberjack match

Ryback shoves Cena to the mat in the early going and then lays in some right hands and stomps. Cena fires back with a kick and right hands of his own before hitting an Irish whip but he gets caught with a powerslam. Ryback gets the first two count of the match and then hits a fallaway slam. Cena avoids a squash in the corner, hits a fisherman suplex and then an elbow drop. Ryback shoves Cena out of the ring and the babyface lumberjacks in that area choose to not get involved. Ryback hits some headbutts and then applies a chinlock but Cena powers out of it and sets up for an attitude adjustment but Ryback counters and hits a sit-out jawbreaker for a two count. Ryback throws Cena out of the ring where 3MB, Darren Young and Wade Barrett lay in some boots before throwing Cena back in the ring. Ryback hits a suplex and then throws Cena back out of the ring where 3MB, Curt Hawkins, Wade Barrett and Darren Young get involved again before tossing Cena back into the ring.

Cena tosses Ryback out of the ring where 3MB and co choose not to get involved. Ryback gets back into the ring where Cena hits a couple of shoulder charges and a side suplex before setting up for the five knuckle shuffle but Ryback gets up and gorillas press slams Cena out of the ring where the lumberjacks get Cena to his feet and roll him into the ring. Cena then tosses Ryback out of the ring and the lumberjacks back off but Ryback shoves one of them and they all pounce on Ryback! Cena then goes up to the top and dives down on all of the lumberjacks! The lumberjacks gets up and toss Ryback and Cena back into the ring. Both men get to their feet and Cena locks on the STF! Ryback manages to get to his feet with the hold still applied and hits shellshock! Ryback hooks the leg and gets the three! Ryback wins the first fall.

Second Fall – Tables match

The bell rings and Ryback hits a running shoulder charge. Ryback then pulls a table out from under the ring and slides it into the ring. He sets it up and looks to powerbomb Cena through it but Cena slips down and sets up for an attitude adjustment but Ryback counters and spears Cena to the mat. A “Goldberg” chant then breaks out. Ryback looks to gorilla press slam Cena through the table but again Cena slips down and sets up for an attitude adjustment. Ryback flips over the table so Cena low-bridges Ryback to the outside. Cena follows Ryback to the outside but Ryback reverses an Irish whip, sending Cena into the ring steps. Ryback picks up the steps and throws them into the ring before rolling the WWE Champion back into the ring. Ryback picks up the steps again and smashes them into the face of Cena before looking to do it again but Cena ducks and Ryback throws the steps through the table. Cena hits a belly to belly on Ryback and then rams the steps into the skull of Ryback.

Cena pulls another table out from under the ring and slides it in. He sets up the table but turns around into a shot with the stairs from Ryback. Ryback then looks to drop the stairs on Cena who landed on the table but he manages to roll out of the way. Cena avoids another shot from the stairs and hits a shoulder charge and side suplex. Cena hits the five knuckle shuffle and looks for an attitude adjustment but Ryback counters and hits a spinebuster. Ryback hits a meat-hook clothesline and then grabs another table and slides it into the ring. Ryback sets up the table and then sets up Cena for shellshock but Cena counters and hits an attitude adjustment through the table! John Cena win the second fall.

Third Fall – Ambulance match

Ryback throws Cena out of the ring and takes apart the announce table. Ryback then powerbombs Cena through the table! Ryback rolls Cena back into the ring and the bell officially rings for the third fall. Ryback then drags Cena out of the ring and towards the ambulance before picking up Cena and carrying him. Cena slips down and pushes Ryback into the ambulance. Cena pulls some crutches out of the ambulance but Ryback sees him coming and kicks him in the gut. Ryback looks for a right hand but Cena moves and Rybacks fist goes through the ambulance window. The two men slug it out until Cena picks Ryback up and rams him into the ambulance. Cena throws Ryback into the open ambulance door which takes it off the hinges. Cena then picks up the door and rams Ryback with it.

Ryback headbutts Cena and then throws him into the bonnet of the ambulance. Ryback then pulls off some of the ambulance and beats Cena with it. Ryback sets up for a powerbomb but Cena back body drops him on to the bonnet. Cena then climbs up on top of the ambulance and pulls off the siren light before smashing it into the face of Ryback. Ryback grabs one of the crutches and follows Cena on top of the ambulance but Cena fights him off, grabs the crutch off him and hits him with it. Cena sets up for an attitude adjustment on top of the ambulance and hits it, sending Ryback crashing through the roof of the ambulance! The bell rings and Cena wins the third fall! That was a nicely gimmicked ambulance. It’s Cena that retains his WWE Championship tonight.

Rating: 7/10

And that was Payback 2013. This actually felt like a good pay per view. There were some really good matches and although it wasn’t the most memorable show ever, it really wasn’t bad at all. The show opened with Curtis Axel winning the Intercontinental Championship from Wade Barrett. I’m not totally sold on Axel so we’ll see where this goes but I’m sure they’re hoping that the alliance with Paul Heyman will help. I liked Wade Barrett as champion but maybe it was time for something different. The match was above average. AJ Lee then became WWE Divas Champion by defeated Kaitlyn. The crowd weren’t sympathetic towards Kaitlyn at all which I’m wondering will lead to a heel turn. I think the fans have wanted AJ to become champion for a while as she is such a compelling character. A decent match between these two girls too.

Dean Ambrose then beat Kane by count-out to retain the United States Championship. I’m assuming they either didn’t want Kane to lose cleanly or they want this feud to continue so it’ll be interesting to see the direction of the United States Championship going into next months Money In The Bank PPV. Probably the weakest match of the night though. Alberto Del Rio then beat Dolph Ziggler for the World Heavyweight Championship in a fantastic match. This truly was an under-rated match, I loved the psychology, loved the match itself and the slow heel turn from Alberto Del Rio throughout. This definitely seemed like a double turn with Ziggler going face from now on and Del Rio heel. Great match and the crowd were really into it. If you haven’t seen it then go check it out!

CM Punk then beat Chris Jericho in another great match. The show really picked up here. Obviously CM Punk was the face in this match and I’m wondering whether there will be another double turn here. Jericho seems to be floundering a little and maybe a heel turn will help. They showed a rift between CM Punk and Paul Heyman and I think something will come of that. Another great match. The Shield then beat Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton in a match with the expected outcome. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see this lead into a feud between Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton. This match was decent, it did the job and there were four talented workers in there. And in the main event John Cena beat Ryback to retain the WWE Championship. This was a good match, the lumberjack match was a lot of fun and they kept a good pace until the end. Cena wins which I would assume would put an end to this feud.

Overall Rating: 63.57/100 (ranked joint 58th out of 290)

Match Of The Night: Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio
Worst Match Of The Night: Dean Ambrose vs. Kane
Surprise Of The Night: The Alberto Del Rio heel turn
Worst Booking Of The Night: N/A
Superstar Of The Night: John Cena
Payback 2013 Will Be Remembered For: Alberto Del Rio beating Dolph Ziggler for the World Heavyweight Championship