WWE Payback results: Dolph Ziggler loses world heavyweight title to Alberto Del Rio

Dolph Ziggler, just over one month removed from a severe concussion that left him with retrograde amnesia, was booked to defend his world heavyweight championship against Alberto Del Rio in just his second match back at tonight's (Sun., June 16, 2013) WWE Payback pay-per-view (PPV) at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

And he was taking far too many unprotected kicks to the head.

In fact, Del Rio was downright targeting Ziggler's skull, apparently in an attempt to work smart psychology into the bout, though one can easily question the decision making behind such a thing. After all, we aren't nearly far enough removed from Dolph having suffered a serious head injury.

The commentary team was hammering the point home and it wasn't long before it became clear that we were witnessing a double turn. Del Rio stopped caring about Ziggler's health because the title was that important to him while Ziggler battled as hard as he possibly could to keep the belt he worked so hard for before suffering his injury.

The booking was incredible and really served to get the fans into the match.

Ultimately, Del Rio kicked Ziggler in the head one too many times and Dolph simply couldn't kick out, losing his world title and breaking down into tears while the doctors checked on him.

That was, psychologically, one of the best matches in some time, even if it was unnecessarily dangerous.

For complete WWE Payback results and coverage of the entire card click here.