WWE Payback preview

Read on for how I'd book tonight's WWE PPV.
This PPV has potential to be an absolute mess booking-wise. With another big event coming up in two weeks with gimmick matches involved, this show could be a real bumpy ride to get that in motion.

Kickoff:
Sandow and Axel win. They've worked way too hard to have their momentum cut off now. This also gives them some much-needed credibility ahead of a clustermess title match May 31.

Payback:
Xavier Woods debuts a megaphone to really rile the fans up with the New Day chants. I think he makes a great heat magnet. Chekhov's Gun here. After a one-to-one tie, Woods seeks to rally his team with the megaphone. Either Cesaro or Kidd tries to take it from him, leaving them easy prey for the Midnight Hour.

I'm on record as not liking the "Kiss Me Arse" stipulation, but it's done now so they might as well make the most of it. Sheamus wins via Brogue Kick and tries to humiliate Ziggler again. Ziggler turns the tables with a low blow to avenge Extreme Rules, and gives Sheamus a taste of his own medicine as far as arse-kissing goes. This is mostly done to add heat to the IC Title picture ahead of the Chamber match.

Neville is in a good mood ahead for an interview of his match with BNB due to Sheamus being humiliated earlier. Needless to say, Sheamus isn't happy about this. He crotches Neville when Neville goes for the Red Arrow as BNB distracts the ref. BNB hits the Bull Hammer and we've got four people in the IC Title picture. Add Stardust and R-Truth due to their ongoing feud and the Chamber field is set.

Naomi and Tamina outsmart the Bellas to win. Naomi vs. Nikki for the title on Raw. Brie interferes to get the match thrown out. Rematch on the next week's Raw. Tamina interferes to get the match thrown out. So, at Elimination Chamber, Tamina and Nikki are banned from ringside and we finish this feud. Naomi vs. Paige next. Nikki feuds with Natalya for the title, then Charlotte comes up to put an end to Nikki's impressive reign.

Wyatt beats Ryback. After the match, he does his pose while Ryback stays prone. The lights go out. When they come back on, Harper and Rowan are in attendance to reunite the Family. They put a beatdown on Ryback. Nothing against The Big Guy. They just need to make a statement. They're going after bigger prey at Elimination Chamber.

Rusev and Lana bring a giant white flag to the ring "so Cena can give up without even saying 'I Quit'" and to add emphasis for him surrendering to the Super Athlete. Chekhov's Gun again. Lana gets love from the fans and returns the favor, angering Rusev. Maybe there's a plant in the front row with Russian flowers or something. Rusev takes the flowers or whatever other prop and destroys them. Lana throws the flag in the ring on Rusev's behalf when he's caught in the STF. She yells out "Rusev quit! Rusev quit!" Cena retains without Rusev giving up to him. Lana turns face. I know that finish isn't what a lot of people want, but they've kind of booked themselves in a corner. Rusev is furious on Raw, but is interrupted by someone else who's upset about not being U.S. Champion: Heath Slater. The stage is set for Rusev to destroy Slater on the 31st.

Chaos in the main event. Kane does something dastardly to Ambrose so Rollins gets the win. Kane keeps his job. For now. We still get Rollins vs. Kane at MITB, but we've got another show before then. Show returns to work with Kane against their common enemies. Ambrose convinces Rollins the WWE Champion can't beat him, Ambrose was always better, etc.. The main event for Elimination Chamber is set.

Set for Elimination Chamber:
- Kickoff: Rowan and Harper vs. Lucha Dragons
- Elimination Chamber for IC Title: BNB vs. Sheamus vs. Neville vs. Ziggler vs. Stardust vs. R-Truth
- Elimination Chamber for Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. Kidd/Cesaro vs. Los Matadores vs. PTP vs. Ascension vs. Sandow/Axel (LM are in instead of the Dragons because the Dragons will be better for the Kickoff match and they can do something fun with El Torito getting in the Chamber to gore Woods).
- U.S. Title Open Challenge: John Cena vs. (Texas' own) Mark Henry. Wyatts attack Henry after the match.
- Rusev vs. Heath Slater
- Paige vs. Naomi (the Divas' Title feud can be just on Raw and Smackdown. This is a bigger deal.)
- Kane and Big Show vs. Reigns and Orton
- WWE Title: Rollins vs. Ambrose

More wrestling coming up.