WWE Payback 2015

WWE Payback
Location: Baltimore, MD
Date: May 17, 2015
Commentators: Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler

The 2015 WWE Payback Kickoff Pre-show kicks off from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland with Renee Young, Booker T, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves on the panel. They hype the show and tonight’s pre-show match with The Meta Powers taking on The Ascension. Renee talks about tonight’s Fatal 4 Way for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. We go backstage to Eden and Dolph Ziggler. Eden asks which Ziggler will we see in his match with Sheamus tonight and he says the same one we always see but he’s not sure which Sheamus will show up – the bully or the one who backs down when someone stands up to him. Ziggler says tonight is all about payback and its personal now. We go to Tom Phillips in the social media lounge. Tom will be joined by Sheamus later and fans can submit their questions with the Twitter hashtag #AskSheamus.

– We go back to Renee and she leads us to a video package for tonight’s United States Title match. Graves believes Rusev and Lana‘s issues won’t be a problem tonight. Booker says John Cena is going to represent America tonight and believes he can beat Rusev again tonight. They talk about how big it will be for Rusev if he can make Cena quit. We take a break and return to a look back at Daniel Bryan’s announcement about dropping the Intercontinental Title and his health. We go backstage to Eden and The Bella Twins. Brie Bella is emotional and talks about how strong Bryan is. She says we all know Bryan will do everything he can to make sure he comes back to what he is so passionate about. She thanks the WWE Universe for their support and says they couldn’t be more grateful. She’s crying now and says Bryan is her biggest inspiration for tonight and she loves him more than anything in the world. Eden wonders if emotions will be a problem tonight. Nikki Bella says they won’t and talks about how they are real family. She say tonight, Naomi is officially going to run out of excuse on why she’s not Divas Champion now and will never be. We see the announcers making their way out. We get more discussion on tonight’s Divas match before going to some Tough Enough videos.

R-Truth vs. Stardust

Renee sends us to Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler for a bonus match. Out comes R-Truth rapping to the crowd. Truth gets the crowd hype before Stardust interrupts and out he comes.

Truth taunts Stardust as the “Cody” chants start up. They start the match and go to the corner before breaking. Truth plays to the crowd and Stardust shoves him. Truth shoves back. They trade slaps. They stall some more and Truth nails a big right hand. Truth with a couple of arm drags and more playing to the crowd. Stardust tries to take control but Truth taunts him some more. Stardust runs into an elbow and goes to the apron for a breather. He tries to fight back in but Truth stops him. Stardust drops Truth over the top rope and he ends up on the floor.

Stardust takes control in the ring now. He slams Truth’s head into the turnbuckles until the referee backs him off. Stardust with more offense in the corner. Stardust misses a dropkick and Truth covers for a 2 count. Stardust comes right back with a clothesline. More back and forth. Truth slams Stardust on his face. Stardust comes back and hits a nice springboard kick for a close 2 count. Stardust with stomps and kicks now. Truth runs into a clothesline. More back and forth. Stardust slaps Truth with his glove but Truth looks to make a comeback. Truth with right hands before dropping Stardust on his face for the win.

Winner: R-Truth

– It’s announced that Steve Austin will interview Paul Heyman live on the WWE Network after RAW on June 1st.

– Renee leads us to a video package for Ryback vs. Bray Wyatt. Tom Phillips has some fan questions for Sheamus in the social media lounge before we go back to the ring.

The Ascension vs. The Meta Powers

We go to the ring and out comes The Ascension. Damien Sandow is out next as “Macho Mandow” with Randy Savage‘s theme and all. Curtis Axel is out next to Hulk Hogan‘s Real American theme, boa and all.

Konnor starts with Axel and works him over. Axel starts hulking up already. He does the finger point and fires away with right hands on Konnor. Konnor runs into the big boot and Axel hits the leg drop for a 2 count as Viktor breaks the pin. Viktor also knocks Sandow off the apron. Konnor stomps on Axel and tags in Viktor to keep up the attack. They do another quick tag and keep Axel in their corner. Viktor comes back in and keeps up the attack for a 2 count. Viktor with a headlock now.

Sandow gets the tag and unloads on Viktor. Konnor runs in but Axel pulls the rope down, sending him to the floor. Sandow slams Viktor and goes up top for the big elbow drop. Konnor decks Axel and knocks Sandow off the top. Konnor tags in and they hit Fall of Man on Sandow for the win.

Winners: The Ascension

– We go back to the panel for more discussion on tonight’s pay-per-view. Graves predicts Seth Rollins will retain tonight while Saxton believes Randy Orton will win the title. That’s it for the pre-show.

– The 2015 WWE Payback pay-per-view kicks off with a video package for tonight’s Fatal 4 Way for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. We’re live from Baltimore as the pyro goes off and Cole welcomes us.

Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler

We go right to the ring and out comes Sheamus to boos. Dolph Ziggler is out next to a pop.

We see the Spanish announcers at ringside as Ziggler makes his way into the ring. Sheamus mushes Ziggler before the bell. It rings and Ziggler attacks. They go at it and Ziggler nails a dropkick. Ziggler knocks Sheamus over the top and it looks like Sheamus injures his knee. Ziggler takes the knee out and brings Sheamus back in. Ziggler keeps control and goes to the top for a crossbody for 2. Sheamus scoops Ziggler up but Ziggler counters for a 2 count. Sheamus runs over Ziggler with a forearm and tries to slow down the pace some. Ziggler comes right back and counters again but misses a superkick. Sheamus nails a big elbow on the knee. Ziggler goes to the floor clutching his knee now.

Sheamus keeps control and works Ziggler’s leg over inside the ring now. Sheamus with more offense and a close 2 count. A “you look stupid” chant starts as Sheamus kicks Ziggler around some more. Sheamus keeps Ziggler grounded with a headlock now. Ziggler fights up and drops Sheamus with a jawbreaker. Sheamus runs into an elbow and then runs into the ring post as Ziggler moves out of the way.

Ziggler makes a comeback and hits a dropkick in the corner. Ziggler with right hands as the referee counts. Ziggler goes for a neckbreaker but it’s blocked. Ziggler counters that and nails a big DDT for a close 2 count. Ziggler charges into the corner and hits more punches and knees. The referee backs him off again. Ziggler rubs his rear end into Sheamus’ face and Sheamus retreats to the floor in disgust. Sheamus washes out his mouth and comes back in the ring. He drops Ziggler over the top rope but misses the Brogue. Ziggler nails a Fame-asser for a close 2 count. Ziggler attacks in the corner and mounts Sheamus with punches but Sheamus powerbombs him for another close 2 count. More back and forth. Sheamus applies the Cloverleaf but Ziggler gets to the bottom rope and breaks it. More back and forth. Ziggler nails a big superkick for another close 2 count. Ziggler gets to his knees as Sheamus waits in the corner. Sheamus nails a Brogue kick for the win.

Winner: Sheamus

– After the match, we go to replays. Sheamus goes to the stage and poses as fans boo.

– We go backstage to Kane, Seth Rollins, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble. Rollins warns Kane that if he does anything not in Rollins’ best interest tonight, losing his job will be the least of his concerns. J&J try to stand up to Kane but he laughs at them and they leave.

“2-out-of 3 Falls” match for the WWE tag team titles: Tyson Kidd and Cesaro vs. WWE tag team champions The New Day

We go to the ring and out comes Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods with a promo about thinking positive. They diss the crowd while telling them to think positive. They point out some Baltimore Orioles players at ringside and fans start cheering for them. The New Day knocks the Orioles as fans boo. A “New Day sucks” chant starts up before Cesaro and Tyson Kidd make their way out with Natalya.

It will be Kofi Kingston and Big E representing The New Day. Kidd starts out for his team and rolls Kofi up for a 2 count. Cesaro tags in and they double team Kofi for a pin attempt. Kofi slides out of a slam and tags in Big E. They lock up and run the ropes. Big E tries to leap but Cesaro catches him in mid-air with a big slam for a 2 count. Big E catches Cesaro next and presses him high for a big slam. Big E takes Cesaro to the middle rope as Woods talks trash at ringside and gets in a cheap shot. Kofi comes back in for some double teaming but Cesaro turns it around and drops them both. Cesaro stomps on Kofi and Big E as fans cheer. Cesaro suplexes Kofi and holds him in the air while tagging in Kidd. Kidd goes to the top and brings Kofi down from the suplex for a close 2 count as Big E breaks the pin. Cesaro sends Big E to the floor. Cesaro tags back in as Kidd catapults Kofi into a chokeslam from Cesaro. Cesaro does the Cesaro Swing and Kidd comes in for the sudden stop dropkick. Kidd covers for the 3 count and they have the first fall.

Woods argues with the referee about getting in the match under Freebird rules but the ref won’t allow him in. Natalya takes down Woods at ringside. Big E ends up on the floor. Kidd leaps out onto him but Big E catches him and hits a big overhead throw on the floor. Cesaro comes and checks on Kidd now. They come back in the ring and Big E stomps away on Kidd. Kofi tags in for more stomping. They make more quick tags and stomp away on Kidd. Kofi drops Kidd again and covers for a 2 count. Fans chant for Kidd but Kofi stops him from tagging.

Big E comes in and keeps Kidd in a bear hug. Kidd breaks it and goes for a tag but Big E stops him, throwing Kidd on the mat. Big E runs the ropes and splashes Kidd. He covers for a 2 count but Cesaro breaks the pin. Big E ends up spearing Cesaro off the apron into the barrier. Big E comes back in and tags Kofi. Kofi with a 2 count on Kidd. Fans chant “this is awesome” and Woods says they are well aware. Kofi comes off the top but Kidd catches him on the way down. Cesaro is still on the floor down as Kidd looks for the tag. Big E comes in but Kidd rolls him up for 2. Kidd takes out Kofi and fights Big E off but Big E catches him on his shoulder. Kofi tags in for the double team move for a 3 count. The New Day has the second fall.

Cesaro is still down as Kidd starts the next fall with Big E. They keep control and Big E nails another big overhead throw. Fans chant “New Day sucks” as Kidd hits a drop toe hold but still has no one to tag in. Cesaro finally gets a hot tag and unloads on Kofi. Cesaro whips Kofi back and forth from corner to corner and hits an uppercut each time as fans pop. Cesaro presses Kofi high and throws him into Big E when he runs in. Cesaro goes for a big powerbomb on Big E but can’t hit it. Cesaro hits a big running uppercut in the corner for a 2 count. Kofi runs into a boot and in comes Kidd. Cesaro with a backbreaker as Kidd follows up with an elbow for a close 2 count.

Kidd goes for a Sharpshooter on Kofi and gets it locked in as Natalya looks on. Cesaro runs around the ring and tosses Big E over the announce table. The Sharpshooter is broken as Cesaro returns to the corner. They do a nice double team counter and Cesaro tags in. Kidd drops Kofi into a big uppercut from Cesaro but in comes Big E. Big E unloads but Cesaro takes him out with a boot. The referee is distracted as Xavier Woods runs in and rolls Cesaro up. The referee turns around, doesn’t realize its Woods and counts the pin for the win.

Winners: The New Day (2 falls to 1)

– After the match, Cesaro and Kidd are shocked and upset at the screwy finish. The New Day retreats and rubs the win in as Kidd and Cesaro look on from the ring with Natalya.

– Saxton approaches Ryback backstage. Ryback says he’s not afraid of Bray Wyatt and tonight, The Eater of Worlds gets eaten. He starts a “feed me more” chant and walks off.

– Cole leads us to a video package for the next match.

Ryback vs. Bray Wyatt

We go to the ring and out first comes Bray Wyatt as the lights go out and his fireflies light up. Ryback is out next to a pop as Wyatt looks on.

Ryback take it to the corner and goes to work. The referee warns him but he comes back with a big shoulder thrust. Ryback with more offense and a shoulder block for a 2 count. Wyatt fights back with a big right hand as we get dueling chants from the crowd. Ryback hits the Thesz Press and slams Wyatt’s head into the mat a few times. Wyatt tries to get a breather on the floor but Ryback follows and sends him hard into the barrier. Fans chant “feed me more” as Ryback brings it back in the ring. He slams Wyatt back into the corner and works him over some more. Ryback ducks a clothesline but Wyatt runs him over with a shoulder.

Wyatt keeps control and grounds Ryback with a headlock. They end up on the floor with Wyatt in control. Wyatt goes to the apron and hits a huge splash to the floor. Ryback sells big time as the referee counts. Ryback makes it back just in time but Wyatt goes right back to work on him. Wyatt with a splash in the corner. Wyatt climbs up and wastes time, allowing Ryback to powerbomb him out of the corner. Ryback makes a comeback and readies for the Meathook clothesline but Wyatt rolls to the floor. Ryback follows and Wyatt suckers him in, dropping him with a big shot. Wyatt brings it back in the ring for a 2 count.

Wyatt tosses Ryback across the ring and splashes him in the corner. Wyatt goes for another splash but Ryback follows with a splash of his own. Ryback blocks a clothesline and nails a spinebuster for a 2 count. Lots more back and forth. Wyatt gets the win after sending Ryback into an exposed turnbuckle and hitting Sister Abigail for the pin.

Winner: Bray Wyatt

– Cole leads us to a video package for the next match.

“I Quit Match” for the WWE United States title: Rusev vs. WWE United States champion John Cena

We go to the ring and out first comes Rusev with Lana. WWE United States Champion John Cena is out next as fans sing along their own version of his theme song.

Rusev takes the mic before the match and tells Cena the people already hate him so he should swallow his American pride and quit right now. A big USA chant breaks out and the referee asks Cena if he wants to quit. Cena looks around and attacks Rusev to start the match. Rusev fights back and drops Cena with a big kick. Rusev rams Cena into the corner and he goes down. Rusev with another splash when Cena gets up. Fans chant for Lana. Rusev gets upset and goes to ringside. He grabs a chair and puts it in front of the announce table, telling Lana to sit in it. Fans boo.

Rusev comes back in the ring and Cena manages to take him down. Cena slowly gets up and knocks Rusev into the corner. Cena misses a clothesline in the corner and Rusev goes back to work on him with kicks and strikes. We get dueling Cena chants now. Rusev beats Cena down again and the referee asks him if he wants to quit. Rusev keeps up the attack and won’t let Cena up. Rusev nails a big dropkick and tells the referee to ask Cena but Cena says no. Rusev with another big dropkick but Cena won’t quit. Fans chant for Lana again as Cena drops Rusev with a clothesline. Rusev hits a heel kick and goes back to ringside to yell at Lana as fans boo. Rusev comes back in and goes to work on Cena. He orders Lana to get up and hand him the Russian flag. Rusev holds it high and waves it over Cena as fans boo some more.

Another big USA chant breaks out. Cena comes back with shoulder tackles and the big slam. Cena calls for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and hits it. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Rusev slides out. Cena goes for a crossbody but Rusev catches him with a fall-away slam. Cena lands bad and rolls to the floor. The referee asks him if he wants to quit but he doesn’t. Rusev sends Cena into the steps but he won’t quit. Rusev tells the referee to ask Cena again but he says no. He sends Cena back in and brings half of ring steps in, standing up in the corner. Rusev tells the referee to ask Cena but he won’t quit. Rusev whips Cena back first into the steps and he goes down. Cena still won’t quit. Rusev whips Cena into the steps again. Rusev takes the mic this time and asks Cena if he wants to quit, or so it seems. Rusev grabs the steps and lays them in the middle of the ring. He brings Cena on top of them but Cena backdrops him onto the mat.

They trade shots and Cena leaps again but Rusev catches him. Rusev slams Cena onto the steps but he won’t quit. Rusev goes to stomp Cena on the steps but Cena moves and Rusev hurts his foot. Cena nails an AA on top of the steps. The referee asks Rusev if he wants to quit but he can’t speak as he’s out of wind. Rusev gets to his feet but Cena grab the steps. Rusev sees this and rolls to the floor. Cena lifts the steps and throws them out. Rusev moves out of the way. Cena follows and Rusev takes control but Cena sends him into the ring post. Rusev won’t quit. Cena talks trash and tells Rusev he will put him through the barrier if he doesn’t quit. The referee asks and Rusev screams no. Cena charges and sends Rusev crashing through the barrier. Rusev still won’t quit.

Cena goes and wheels a production case over but Rusev stops him with a kick to the face. The referee asks but Cena won’t quit. They fight through the production area and towards the side of the stage now. Cena goes for an AA but Rusev slides out. Rusev grabs Cena and slams him on top of a table but not too hard and it looked weak. More back and forth. Cena takes control and leans a table up. Fans chant USA as Cena hits Rusev in the back with a chair but he won’t quit. Cena hits Rusev in the back with another foreign object but he still won’t quit. Cena grabs a laptop and breaks it over Rusev’s back. Rusev crawls under the table that was leaned up a few minutes ago. Cena grabs him and goes for an AA through the table. Rusev counters and slams Cena through the table. The referee asks Cena but he will not give up. Rusev gets frustrated and looks around for something to use on Cena. He grabs a bunch of wires and figures out they lead to the pyrotechnics area. He makes a small piece of pyro go off and smiles. He waits for Cena to get up on the stage but misses a kick. Cena goes for the AA and nails it on top of a bunch of pyro, causing it to go off. We see Lana looking worried at ringside. Rusev still won’t give up.

Cena brings over one of the old school steel barricades. The referee asks but Rusev won’t quit. Cena charges on the ramp with the barricade and nails Rusev with it down by the ring. Rusev won’t give up. Cena with an AA attempt on top of the steps but Rusev slides out. Rusev suplexes Cena on top of the barricade that was leaning on the apron. Cena won’t quit and says hell no. Lana looks on. Fans chant “this is awesome” as Rusev brings it back in the ring. Rusev waits for Cena to get up and nails a huge kick to the head. Rusev stomps on Cena’s back and applies The Accolade. Cena powers up with Rusev on his back. Cena rams him back in the corner but the hold is still locked in. Cena rams Rusev back again but it doesn’t break the hold. Cena fades to the mat and Rusev has the hold applied like normal now. Cena passes out in the hold as Rusev breaks it. Rusev thinks he has the match won and is celebrating. The referee informs him that’s not the case and Rusev argues. Cena must say he quits. Rusev exposes the top turnbuckle pad and unscrews the top rope. Rusev splashes water on Cena to wake him back up.

Rusev yells at Cena to get up. Cena drops Rusev into the STF and uses the loose top rope to keep the hold locked in. Rusev yells a bunch of stuff in Russian. Lana comes over and yells at the referee, screaming to him that Rusev quits. Cena wins.

Winner: John Cena

– After the match, Cena has his arm raised and Lana enters the ring to check on Rusev. The American flag drops down over the ring as Cena celebrates and makes his exit.

– We go back to the pre-show panel for some discussion.

– The New Day is backstage with Byron Saxton. They’re celebrating with glasses of milk. They don’t care who they face next. Saxton informs them that they will defend the titles inside the Elimination Chamber on May 31st. They’re surprised by this and walk away not happy.

The Bella Twins vs. Naomi and Tamina Snuka

We go to the ring and out comes Brie Bella with WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella. Tamina Snuka and Naomi are out next.

Naomi and Nikki go at it to start the match. Naomi unloads in the corner but Nikki drops her with a springboard kick for a 2 count. Brie comes in and drops Naomi for a 2 count. Brie with more offense and a knee to drop Naomi against the ropes. Brie with the running knee to the face as she sends Naomi to the floor. Brie rolls her back in but Naomi distracts the referee and Tamina hits a big kick on the apron, sending Brie back to the floor. Naomi brings Brie back in for a 2 count.

Naomi keeps control and keeps Brie down. She stands on Brie’s hair and stomps her some more. Naomi with more offense and a 1 count as she pins Brie with her foot. Naomi whips Brie into the corner and tags in Tamina to keep up the beatdown. Brie tries to fight back with kicks but Tamina rams her into the corner. Naomi comes back in and beats on Brie some more. Naomi drops Brie for a 2 count. Nikki finally gets the tag and hits a dropkick. Nikki unloads on Naomi and covers for a 2 count that Tamina breaks up. Nikki ends up kicking Tamina out of the ring but Naomi rolls her up from behind for 2. Tamina distracts Nikki from the apron. Nikki turns around and takes a Rear View for a close 2 count. Brie takes out Tamina on the floor. More back and forth in the ring now. Nikki with another big slam and a close 2 count. Nikki goes to the top. Tamina slams Brie into the barrier, distracting Nikki on the top. Naomi takes advantage and slams her from the top for the win.

Winners: Naomi and Tamina Snuka

– After the match, Tamina and Naomi celebrate as a referee checks on Nikki in the ring. Brie comes to on the floor and that’s it.

– We go backstage to Rusev yelling at Lana in their dressing room. Rusev tells her to get out and she does as fans boo.

King Barrett vs. Neville

We go to the ring and King Bad News Barrett is out first. Neville is out next to a pop.

They start the match and go to the corner with Neville landing an early roll up. Neville comes back with a crossbody and a head scissors that sends Barrett to the floor to regroup. Neville follows and connects with a kick to the gut. Barrett with another big kick to the midsection. Barrett keeps control and brings it back in the ring, sending Neville into the ring post. Barrett with more offense in the corner and a 2 count. Barrett keeps Neville grounded with a headlock now. Neville fights up and tries to do a springboard but Barrett cuts him off with a boot to the face. Barrett with another pin attempt.

Barrett with more offense and a knee to the back. Barrett chokes Neville with the middle rope as the referee counts. Barrett with high knees on the ropes now. Barrett knocks Neville over the top rope with a big boot. Fans boo as Barrett shows off. Barrett with another 2 count and a headlock. More back and forth as Neville makes a comeback. Barrett cuts him off with another big kick to the gut. Barrett talks trash and readies for the Bullhammer. Neville avoids it but gets caught with Winds of Change for a close 2 count.

Neville kicks Barrett off and comes in with a springboard. Barrett blocks it but Neville counters with an arm drag for a 2 count. Neville drops Barrett with an enziguri and positions him in front of the corner. Neville goes up for Red Arrow but Barrett rolls out to the floor. Neville leaps out of the ring and takes Barrett out anyway. Neville lands bad and clutches his leg. Barrett looks to make it back in at the 9 count but stops and gets counted out.

Winner by count-out: Neville

– After the match, Neville looks disappointed with the win. Barrett rushes back in the ring and drops Neville. Barrett tosses him over the top rope and sends him into the steel steps. Barrett tosses Neville into the barrier as fans boo. He comes back in the ring and takes his crow, scepter and robe. Neville gets up and Barrett tries to hit him with the scepter. Neville counters and hits a German suplex. Neville drags Barrett over and goes up top to nail Red Arrow. We go to replays and come back to Neville standing over Barrett before making his exit and greeting fans at ringside.

– Kane comes up to Seth Rollins backstage and wishes him good luck before walking off laughing.

– We get a video for tonight’s main event.

“Fatal 4-Way Match” for the WWE world heavyweight title: Dean Ambrose vs. Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns vs. WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins

We go to the ring and out first comes Kane. If the WWE World Heavyweight Title changes hands tonight, Kane will be fired from The Authority. Randy Orton makes his way out first followed by Dean Ambrose, both to nice pops. Roman Reigns is out next, also to a pop. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins is out next with Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble. Rollins also gets a good reaction from the crowd when his music hits.

We get formal ring introductions and as soon as the match begins, J&J get involved. It comes down to Reigns and Rollins going at it in the ring. Reigns goes for an early pin attempt. Reigns with more offense and a big right hand for another pin attempt. Rollins counters in the corner and drops Reigns’ face into the corner. Ambrose comes off the top rope with a big elbow on Reigns but Orton breaks the pin. Orton with right hands on Ambrose in the corner. Ambrose turns it around and mounts Orton with rights. Ambrose with a bulldog on Orton. They trade shots and Orton hits a backbreaker for a 2 count as Reigns breaks the pin. Rollins is still out on the floor. Orton and Reigns go at it now. Reigns blocks a RKO and sends Orton over the top with Ambrose. Rollins comes from behind and attacks Reigns.