WWE Payback Kickoff pre-show opens live from Chicago
Dolph Ziggler defeats Baron Corbin
The bell rings and they meet in the middle of the ring for some trash talking. Corbin shoves Ziggler. Ziggler fires back with right hands into the corner. Corbin pushes Ziggler off and whips him shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Ziggler hits hard and goes down. Corbin goes to work on Ziggler and chokes him on the bottom rope. Corbin slides out to the floor and nails Ziggler with a big right. Corbin with a 2 count. Corbin keeps control and argues with the referee. Corbin shows off and gets booed. Ziggler tries to fight back but Corbin catches him and drops him over the top rope.
Ziggler keeps trying to fight out but Corbin cuts him off. Ziggler finally gets a sleeper hold applied and Corbin goes down to one knee. Corbin breaks it in the corner and blocks a superkick. Ziggler hits another kick and a Fame-asser for a close 2 count. They end up on the floor and Ziggler jumps off the steel steps but Corbin boots him out of the air. Corbin launches Ziggler face first into the ring post and fans boo him. Corbin rolls Ziggler back in the ring and plays to the crowd for more heat.
After wasting time, Corbin comes back in and puts a boot on Ziggler. Corbin picks Ziggler up but stalls to argue with the referee. Ziggler rolls him up out of nowhere for the win.
After the match, Ziggler makes his exit as Corbin looks on.
Sami is in the Social Media Lounge now with Greg Hamilton. Sami says his biggest inspiration growing up was Bret Hart because of his tenacity and his matches. Sami isn’t sure if he would ever trust Kevin Owens again because of their history. He says they’re like brothers but probably never fought like this.
WWE United States Title Match: Kalisto defeats Ryback
Ryback fakes a handshake attempt and drops Kalisto with a right hand. Ryback takes control as the you can’t wrestle chants start. They run the ropes and Ryback goes to the floor. Kalisto leaps out and nails him. Kalisto runs the ropes again and nails a corkscrew plancha over the top. Kalisto brings Ryback back in and goes to work with kicks. Ryback pushes Kalisto off and wheelbarrows him into the turnbuckles.
Ryback counters a DDT and suplexes Kalisto for a 2 count. We cut to a break. We come back and Ryback is still in control, keeping Kalisto down. Ryback drops Kalisto with an elbow and covers for another 2 count. Ryback launches Kalisto into the corner as fans boo and he taunts the crowd some more. Ryback toys with Kalisto and wastes more time now. Kalisto comes back with kicks. Ryback catches him in mid-air but Kalisto counters with a DDT. Ryback rolls to the apron and tries for a suplex but Kalisto counters and ends up nailing a big DDT into the apron, driving Ryback face first. Ryback sells a shoulder injury now. Kalisto springboards in for a 1 count. Kalisto with a corkscrew for a 2 count. Ryback kicks him and goes for a powerbomb. Kalisto slides out and rolls him up for 2. Kalisto ducks a clothesline and kicks Ryback in the head. Kalisto plants Ryback face first and covers for a 2 count.
Ryback blocks Salida del Sol and goes for Shellshocked. Kalisto blocks it and rolls him up for 2. Ryback catches him in a big spinebuster for a close 2 count. Ryback goes to the top but Kalisto kicks him in the head. Kalisto climbs up but has to kick Ryback in the head again. He climbs back up but Ryback presses him high over his head and nails a super gorilla press. Ryback goes back to the top but misses a big splash. Kalisto nails Salida del Sol for the win.
The 2016 WWE Payback pay-per-view opens with WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day coming out.
Xavier Woods talks about the tournament, presented by Booty O’s, and Kofi Kingston says they will be sitting at ringside for the match. Woods gives a shout-out to Beyonce. Big E says there’s a new era in WWE because the New Day rocks chant starts as we go to an opening video package for Payback.
#1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Vaudevillains
We come back and out comes Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Enzo does the intro on the way to the ring as The New Day watches from ringside, Booty O’s in hand. More mic work from Enzo and Cass as they knock The Vaudevillains. The New Day approves of their SAWFT gimmick. Out next comes Simon Gotch and Aiden English.
Enzo starts off with Gotch and they lock up.
Enzo ends up getting caught by the bottom rope when Gotch launched him under it. He goes down at ringside. Gotch tries to attack but the referee backs him off. The referee calls for a doctor as Cass is also over. The referee quickly calls for the bell as a stretcher is brought out. The camera is trained on the announcers but cuts back to Enzo being put in a neck brace and loaded onto the stretcher. Fans chant Enzo’s name. Enzo is taken away with no winner announced.
Kevin Owens defeats Sami Zayn
Owens talks trash and taunts Sami. Sami rocks him and they go to work trading shots in the middle of the ring.
Owens ends up on the floor and Sami launches himself over the top rope. Sami also sends Owens into the barrier. Owens makes his way back in but Sami hits a heel kick for a 2 count. Lots more back and forth as Owens takes control. Owens works Sami over outside and in the ring. Sami finally makes a comeback with a big clothesline. They’re both slow to get up as fans rally for Sami. Sami with right hands. Owens kicks him in the head but Sami nails another clothesline. Owens tries to retreat but Sami stops him and mounts him with right hands int he corner as fans count along.
Sami ignores the referee and unloads in the corner. Sami goes on and hits a Blue Thunderbomb for a 2 count. More back and forth. Owens kicks out of another Thunderbomb. Owens takes control and goes to the top for a big frogsplash. Fans pop but Sami kicks out at 2. Owens goes on and hits the corner cannonball. He hits a second cannonball and tells Sami he’s done. Sami blocks the pop-up powerbomb with a dropkick. Sami drops Owens on his head but Owens comes right back with a hard clothesline. They both go down again.
More back and forth. Sami counters a pop-up powerbomb and rolls Owens up for 2. Sami goes for a big tornado DDT from the top but Owens catches him and drops him over his knee. Owens talks more trash and gets rocked. They trade shots on the apron and unload on each other now. Sami backs up and runs on the apron but Owens kicks him. Owens goes for a powerbomb on the apron but Sami backdrops him on the apron. Owens falls to the floor. Sami leaps through the ropes and nails the signature DDT on the floor. Fans chant “this is awesome” as the referee counts. Sami brings it back in. Sami charges for a Helluva Kick but Owens nails a superkick. Owens with the pop-up powerbomb and the win.
After the match,Owens calls Byron Saxton in the ring and orders him to ask about beating Sami. Saxton asks if Owens thinks the rivalry is finally over. Owens bullies Saxton around and brags about beating Sami. Owens says he finally put the question to rest that people have been asking for 14 years. Owens declares he is the better man. Owens says now he can focus on getting back his Intercontinental Title back. Saxton says that match is next and asks if The Miz will retain. Owens says he doesn’t care if Miz retains but he’s going to be doing commentary. Owens heads to the booth
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: The Miz defeats Cesaro to retain
Cesaro is wearing tape on his shoulders. They lock up and trade holds to start. Cesaro with an early 1 count. Cesaro with a gutwrench suplex for a 2 count. Cesaro goes on and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another 2 count. Cesaro continues to dominate as Maryse looks on from ringside. Cesaro keeps control until Miz turns it around with a shot to the shoulder. Miz with a suplex and a 2 count before going back to work on the shoulder. Miz wastes time and plays to the crowd as they boo him. Cesaro fights back in and rolls Miz up for a 2 count. Cesaro with right hands. Miz ducks and tries to get a sleeper locked.
Miz gets the hold applied and brings Cesaro to the mat, wrapping his legs around him. Cesaro powers up to his feet and turns the hold into a big suplex. Cesaro sells the shoulder injury but nails an uppercut. Cesaro with several more uppercuts into the corner as fans count along. Cesaro gets the Uppercut Express going on Miz now. Cesaro runs the ropes and nails a dropkick for a 2 count.
Cesaro keeps control and suplexes Miz in from the apron for a 2 count. Cesaro rolls Miz up after ducking a kick. Cesaro with a corkscrew uppercut from the ropes. Miz blocks the Cesaro Swing and goes for a DDT. Cesaro blocks that and drops Miz for a 2 count as he gets his foot on the bottom rope. More back and forth. Miz sends Cesaro shoulder first into the ring post and nails a Skull Crushing Finale but Cesaro kicks out in time. Sami Zayn comes out of nowhere and leaps over the announce table, taking Owens out. Sami unloads and they brawl at ringside. Sami clotheslines Owens into the timekeeper’s area. Miz turns around and gets caught in a Cesaro Swing.
Cesaro applies the Crossface. Owens and Sami fight up on the apron and Miz taps out but the referee doesn’t see it as he’s dealing with the brawl. Cesaro gets up and knocks Owens and Sami off the apron. Miz takes advantage and rolls Cesaro up with a handful of tights for the win.
After the match, Miz goes to ringside to celebrate but Cesaro nails a big running uppercut against the barrier. Cesaro brings Miz back in the ring and nails a Neutralizer. Owens immediately drops him. Sami attacks Owens but gets dropped with another powerbomb. Owens stands tall and whips Miz into the ropes for a pop-up powerbomb but Maryse pulls him to safety. Miz retreats but forgot his title. Owens raises the title and yells at Miz.
We see Stephanie McMahon and Apollo Crews backstage talking. Stephanie is campaigning. They shake hands.
Dean Ambrose defeats Chris Jericho
Funaki is working Japanese commentary again.
Cole sends prayers to Enzo Amore and says he is able to communicate with medical officials at the hospital. Jericho talks trash to Ambrose after the bell. Ambrose strikes first and they go at it. Ambrose takes Jericho to the corner with shoulder thrusts. Ambrose keeps control and Jericho retreats to the floor for a breather. Ambrose follows and chases him around the ring, then back in. Ambrose ducks a clothesline and hits a crossbody. Ambrose stomps and chops Jericho. Jericho backdrops Ambrose over the top. He hits the apron on the way down. Jericho runs the ropes and dropkicks Ambrose through the ropes.
Ambrose with a big clothesline on the floor. He brings it back in and Jericho holds on to the referee in the corner. He lures Ambrose in and gets a cheap shot. Jericho blocks Dirty Deeds and slams Ambrose over the top rope. Jericho with the dropkick that sends Ambrose out to the floor. The referee starts counting. Ambrose comes back to the apron and Jericho suplexes him in. Jericho slaps Ambrose around instead of pinning him. Jericho with a headlock now. Ambrose fights back but Jericho dropkicks him. Jericho keeps control and slingshots Ambrose under the bottom rope. Lots more back and forth. Jericho gets Ambrose in the Walls of Jericho but Ambrose finally makes it to the bottom rope. Jericho ends up on the floor and Ambrose nails a big dive through the ropes, sending Jericho into the German announce table.
Ambrose takes the German announce table apart and takes Jericho on top. Jericho blocks Dirty Deeds on top of the table. He goes for the Walls but instead slingshots Ambrose off the table, over into the timekeeper’s area. They come back in and Ambrose won’t give up. Jericho stomps on him and yells. Ambrose blocks a Codebreaker and hits a big clothesline for a close 2 count. Ambrose goes back to the top but Jericho cuts him off. Jericho climbs up and just sends Ambrose to the floor. Jericho goes for another springboard dropkick but it’s blocked. Ambrose goes to the top and hits the big elbow drop for a very close 2 count.
Ambrose goes for a superplex but Jericho fights him off and headbutts him to the mat. Jericho comes off the top but Ambrose boots him in mid-air. Jericho blocks Dirty Deeds with a roll-up. Jericho with the Walls of Jericho again. Ambrose tries for the bottom rope but Jericho pulls him back to the center of the ring. Ambrose breaks the hold and rolls Jericho up for a 2 count. Jericho nails an enziguri for a 2 count. Jericho drops Ambrose over his knee for another 2 count. Jericho talks trash to Ambrose now. Jericho slaps him around in the head. Ambrose fires back and unloads with chops and slaps. Ambrose runs into an elbow and goes down. Ambrose blocks the Lionsault with knees. Ambrose picks Jericho up for Dirty Deeds but there’s a struggle. Ambrose blocks Jericho with knees and nails Dirty Deeds for the win.
After the match, Jericho goes to ringside and throws a fit.
AJ Styles is backstage with Mauro, who asks about Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. AJ says we’re going to see him have the match of his life and win the WWE World Heavyweight Title tonight, on his own with no help.
We see Sasha Banks backstage talking with Shane McMahon.
WWE Women’s Title Match: Charlotte defeats Natalya with a screw job finish to retain
We go back to the ring and out comes WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte with WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair. Natalya is out next wearing a t-shirt for her uncle. She stops and stares down The Flairs before WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart makes his way out for a pop. They walk to the ring together for Bret’s first appearance since his prostate cancer battle. Natalya kisses Bret on the cheek and thanks him as she enters the ring. Bret points at Flair and warns him.
Charlotte whoooos in Natalya’s face to start the match. Natalya immediately goes for a Sharpshooter. They go on and finally lock up. Natalya takes her down. Charlotte with a big shove and more taunting. Charlotte catches a kick, delivers another “whooo” and slaps Natalya. Natalya takes her down but Charlotte applies a headlock. More back and forth. Natalya with a shoulder. Charlotte shows off and Natalya goes for another Sharpshooter as The Nature Boy and The Hitman look on. Charlotte retreats to the floor and back in as Natalya chases her. Charlotte catches Natalya in a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Charlotte keeps control and drops knees. Charlotte talks trash to the fans and rocks Natalya with knees.
Charlotte with another slap to the face and more showing off. Charlotte with big chops to the chest. Natalya ducks a chop and lands one of her own. Natalya with a German suplex for a 2 count. Natalya runs over Charlotte’s back and dropkicks her in the face. Charlotte pulls Natalya in face first to the turnbuckles. Natalya fights back but Charlotte goes to work on the knee. Charlotte keeps up the attack on the knee and tells Bret to watch so he can learn something. Fans chant for Natalya and she rolls Charlotte up for a 2 count out of nowhere. Charlotte with a half crab now.
Natalya catches Charlotte in an armbar but it’s broken. Charlotte fights back and suplexes Natalya’s bad leg into the ropes. More back and forth as they end up on the floor in front of Flair. Charlotte tries to powerbomb Natalya on the apron but it’s turned into a half hurricanrana on the floor. Natalya rolls Charlotte back in and stops to stare at Flair. She comes back in for the discus clothesline but Charlotte nails her in the face with a boot for a 2 count. Charlotte goes for the Figure Four but it’s broken with a chop. Natalya with strikes and the discus clothesline for a 2 count. Natalya looks at Bret and goes for the Sharpshooter but it’s countered. Charlotte drops Natalya and hits Natural Selection for a close 2 count. Charlotte mounts Natalya with forearms and another 2 count as she’s frustrated now.
Charlotte steps on Natalya and goes to the top for a moonsault. She nails it for another close 2 count. Charlotte applies the Figure Four but Natalya yells at her and won’t let her turn it into the Figure Eight. Natalya reverses the Figure Four but Charlotte makes it to the bottom rope. Charlotte gets up and slaps Natalya. Charlotte applies a Sharpshooter and referee Charles Robinson immediately rings the bell for the win. Natalya never tapped out.
After the bell, the referee immediately goes to the floor and brings the belt in to give to Charlotte. We just saw the Chicago Screwjob. Flair comes in the ring to celebrate with Charlotte. Bret comes in and argues with Flair. Bret drops Flair with a punch. Natalya takes care of Charlotte and they both lock in Sharpshooters at the same time. Charlotte leaves with the title in the air as Natalya’s music plays. Bret and Natalya look on as Flair hobbles to the back with Charlotte.
We get a promo from Extreme Rules.
Eden introduces Vince McMahon. Out he comes to a mixed reaction.
Vince hits the ring and a massive CM Punk chant breaks out. Vince motions for them to get louder. He starts touting how successful RAW has been over the years and the Punk chants start back up. Vince wonders how long they can go with that. Vince tells them to come on, they’ve got more than that. Vince calls them a crazy crowd. He goes back to talking about RAW and says it’s successful because they always reinvent things. He says his favorite era would have been the Attitude Era. Vince says we have a new era and we need a new leader. Vince names traits and gets the what!? treatment. Vince says the new leader has to be a person of great ethics. Vince asks who should run RAW, his son Shane or his daughter Stephanie. Shane gets the pop while Stephanie gets booed. Vince brings out Stephanie McMahon to more boos.
Vince says his daughter is beautiful and she blushes. The boos continue as she thanks everyone for their support after Roman Reigns viciously speared her at WrestleMania 32. Vince yells at the crowd and calls them animals, telling them to show some respect. Stephanie says it’s alright because she doesn’t want their support, compassion or sympathy. Stephanie goes on and says she’s a leader. She touts some of the stars we’ve seen come in under The Authority like The Shield, Kevin Owens, The New Day, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Charlotte and AJ Styles. She says The Authority also launched the WWE Network, touting the 1.8 million subscribers. She goes on and mentions Shane McMahon, saying he abandoned the WWE Universe for 7 years when the going got tough. She asks what would stop him from doing that again. Stephanie reminds her dad that Shane lost to The Undertaker inside Hell In a Cell and while his Cell leap was impressive, the risk was just pure stupidity. Fans chant boring now. Stephanie says the only way Shane got his foot back in the door was by blackmailing Vince. Stephanie says Vince needs the smartest, savviest and most experienced leader he can have, and it’s her. Shane’s music interrupts and out he comes to a pop.
Shane gets a big chant as he enters the ring. He usually doesn’t like to talk about himself but since Stephanie is, he will. He asks how many headlines The Authority got over the yeas. He shows a few headlines with Shane in the title from Sporting News, Sky Sports, FOX Sports, Bleacher Report and others. A big “yes!” chant breaks out. Shane gives Vince credit for the WWE Network but says Stephanie can’t take credit for the 1.8 million subscribers, only the subscribers can. Shane says there was a jump around WrestleMania 32 and while that was an amazing event, perhaps everyone was extra interested in his match. Fans chant you still got it now. Stephanie thanks them and agrees that she does still have it. They boo her. Shane goes on and says he came back to ensure the future of the company for his kids, Stephanie’s kids and all the fans. Shane gets the crowd to get really loud to help make his case. Vince talks now and says tonight is about him and what he wants. He wants blood, figuratively speaking. The CM Punk chants start again. Vince says he wants to see them slit each others throats, disembowel each other. Vince says this could be good for RAW and the family. He announces that they both have equal say and tells them to go figure it out. The music hits and Vince leaves smiling. Shane and Stephanie shake hands and they leave.
Cole announces that Enzo has a concussion but all other tests came back negative from the local hospital he’s at.
WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Roman Reigns defeats AJ Styles to retain in what ended up to be 3 matches in 1. AJ won by countout in match 1, AJ won by DQ in match 2. Reigns won by pinfall in match 3.
They lock up and Reigns shoves AJ into the corner for more boos.
Reigns with some overpowering to start but Styles counters. They go to lock up again as fans chant for AJ. Styles with kicks to Reigns’ legs. Styles works on the arm now. Reigns goes to the floor for a breather and takes his time coming back in. Some fans chant “Roman sucks” as he comes back in. Reigns tries to take it to the corner but AJ escapes and nails a forearm. AJ goes to the floor and tells Reigns to bring it. AJ rolls right back in and Reigns has to follow. AJ stomps away as Reigns comes back in. Reigns ends up hitting a big shoulder that knocks AJ out of the ring. More big boos from the crowd.
Styles comes back in and goes for the leg but Reigns knocks him down. Reigns with another big blow to the back of the neck. Styles staggers Reigns with a knee and a forearm. Reigns fights out of a clutch and turns AJ inside out with a big clothesline. Styles nails a running forearm as Reigns is on the mat. Styles with a 2 count. Styles puts Reigns on his shoulders and drops him over a knee for another 2 count. Styles has Reigns in the Calf Crusher. It’s broken and Reigns goes to the floor. Styles nails a Phenomenal Forearm from the ring to the floor, crashing Reigns through an announce table.
Styles makes it back in the ring but Reigns gets counted out.
Winner by Count Out: AJ Styles
After the bell, AJ doesn’t look happy as he’s announced the winner. His music hits but is paused as Eden announces Reigns is still the champion. Shane McMahon’s music hits. Shane says that’s not how a title match is going to end in the new era. Shane calls for the bell and says the match now has no count outs.
No Count Outs for the WWE World Heavyweight Title: AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns
The bell rings and AJ brings Reigns back inside. He goes to the top but Reigns rolls away to the other side of the ring. AJ goes over but Reigns suckers him in. AJ unloads with forearms.
AJ nails a pele kick. He goes up top for the 450 but Reigns gets his knees up. Reigns with a 2 count. AJ comes off the second rope but Reigns nails him in mid-air. The referee calls for the bell due to what appears to be an accidental low blow from Reigns to Styles.
Winner by DQ: AJ Styles
After the bell, AJ’s music hits and he’s announced the winner. Reigns is announced the champion still. Stephanie McMahon’s music hits and out she comes. She says as usual, Shane missed something. She announces the match to be restarted until there’s a clear winner, now it will be No DQ and No Count Out.
No DQ, No Count Outs for the WWE World Heavyweight Title: Roman Reigns defeats AJ Styles
The bell rings and they go at it. Reigns places Styles on the top rope and knocks him out of the ring with a right hand. Reigns sends him into the steps and into the Spanish announce table. Reigns with a kick into the barrier. Reigns tosses AJ over the barrier into the crowd.
Reigns follows but Styles nails a running clothesline back over the barrier. Reigns hits the announce table. AJ keeps control and brings it in the ring as fans do dueling chants. Reigns dodges a Phenomenal Forearm and nails a Superman punch in mid-air. AJ kicks out just in time. Reigns with another Superman punch as fans boo. Reigns readies for a spear but Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson pull Styles to the floor. Reigns looks at them as they hit the apron. Gallows and Anderson enter the ring and beat Reigns down. They destroy him and leave him laying. They go back to the floor and watch as AJ pulls himself to the apron. Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm and nails it but Reigns gets his foot on the bottom rope.
The Usos run down and brawl with Gallows and Anderson at ringside. Styles goes to the top but Reigns jumps up and pushes him off onto the other 4 men. Reigns shakes off the leg injury and tries to recover now. AJ gets up and moves to the side. Reigns runs the ropes and lands on The Usos, Gallows and Anderson outside. Styles with a big forearm off the barrier. Styles brings Reigns back in. Styles springboards in with a Shooting Star Press and nails it but Reigns kicks out right before the 3 count. Reigns blocks the Styles Clash and backdrops Styles to the apron. Reigns runs for a Superman punch but AJ nails him. AJ comes in with another Phenomenal Forearm but Reigns ducks it and nails a spear for the win.
After the bell, Reigns has the WWE World Heavyweight Title and AJ limps towards the back and looks on as Reigns raises the title. We cut to Vince, Shane and Stephanie watching backstage. Vince says that was a really great match. He applauds Shane for restarting the match but says Stephanie one-upped him a little bit. He congratulates them both. Vince wonders if AJ should have a rematch and they agree. It will take place at Extreme Rules and will be an Extreme Rules match.
