WWE PAYBACK 2023 PAY-PER-VIEW RECAP & REVIEW
WWE PAYBACK 2023 MATCH CARD
Becky Lynch defeated Trish Stratus. Steel Cage match
WINNER: BECKY LYNCH
OUR PREDICTION: BECKY LYNCH
RATING: 8/10
This match was a contender for the match of the night, only falling short to the tag team match later on in the show. It was surprising how good it was considering their match on Raw a few weeks ago wasn’t the greatest, and the feud itself has been going on for far too long. The only real downside of the match was the Zoey Stark interference, but other than that it was all good stuff. The match ended after a Manhandle Slam to Trish Stratus. After the match Zoey Stark turned on Trish Stratus setting up a future rivalry. This was a great opener, and a great end to a poor feud.
LA Knight defeated The Miz. Singles match
WINNER: LA KNIGHT
OUR PREDICTION: LA KNIGHT
RATING: 7/10
John Cena made himself the special referee for this match so despite the fact that it wasn’t amazing in ring, it was always destined to be a good time with these three men involved. The best part about this however was LA Knight’s victory. It was perhaps a little longer than it needed to be, but this was still good. It was also really beneficial for LA Knight that Cena didn’t help him win, and shook his hand after the match. Good stuff all around.
Rey Mysterio (c) defeated Austin Theory. Singles match for the WWE United States Championship
WINNER: REY MYSTERIO
OUR PREDICTION: REY MYSTERIO
RATING: 5/10
The match was alright, but it felt more like a SmackDown main event match than a Premium Live Event match. Mysterio retaining was probably the right outcome, hopefully they build up this Grayson Waller and Austin Theory tag team more. There will probably be one more match between these two at Fastlane since Mysterio won the match with a roll up. Mysterio can still go with anyone despite his age, so hopefully when these two run it back it’s a slightly better match.
The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Steel City Street Fight for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
WINNER: JUDGMENT DAY
OUR PREDICTION: JUDGMENT DAY
RATING: 10/10
This was a match of the year candidate. The Judgment Day got the much needed victory, and everything is well in the group again. This is the match that should’ve been the tribute to Terry Funk instead of that garbage of a tribute match we got on SmackDown. There were so many spots where it seemed that Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens would retain the titles but instead someone from the Judgment Day always helped them out. Finn Balor won the titles for his team after an assist from Dominik Mysterio. Great stuff, and definitely the match of the night. Also the penalty box spot was perfect.
Rhea Ripley (c) defeated Raquel Rodriguez. Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
WINNER: RHEA RIPLEY
OUR PREDICTION: RHEA RIPLEY
RATING: 3/10
From the best match of the night to the worst, it’s a shame that this match didn’t deliver. Their match at NXT New Year’s Evil 2021 was amazing, so it sucks that they kept it slow here. The match was longer than it needed to be as well, and made it drag on leading to a bathroom break for the fans in attendance. Rodriguez felt like one of the first people who could hang in the with Ripley but even then no one believed that she was walking out with the title. Glad these two got a match on the card, but they should’ve gotten a stipulation for how long this match was postponed.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura. Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
WINNER: SETH ROLLINS
OUR PREDICTION: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
RATING: 8/10
Just getting it out of the way, Shinsuke Nakamura should’ve won. This is the best that he’s ever been presented in the WWE and it’s a shame that he didn’t win, hopefully Fastlane is that moment. The match itself ignoring the winner however was really well done, and both men deserve praise for it. Rollins won with the stomp after almost half an hour, they probably could’ve trimmed five minutes off of the match. Wrong winner, great match.
