WWE 2015 Payback Match Card Preview: Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus

The Match Up:

Dolph Ziggler will face Sheamus in a one-on-one grudge match at the Payback pay-per-view.  This match is a follow up to the "Kiss Me Arse" match between the two at Extreme Rules last month.

The Road to Payback:

Sporting a new look and a new attitude, Sheamus made his return to WWE television the night after WrestleMania 31. A face and fan favorite by all accounts when he went down with an injury last November, Sheamus shocked the WWE Universe by delivering Brogue Kicks to both the then Intercontinental Champion, Daniel Bryan, and his opponent that night, Dolph Ziggler.  He made his intentions clear the following Smackdown, amid chants of "you look stupid", saying that guys like Ziggler and Bryan are runts who can't hack it in the main event.

Sheamus came back to crush the hopes and dreams of the WWE Universe.  You see, the fans root for the underdogs but end up disappointed when they fail.  Sheamus is here to rid the WWE of all these sawed-off losers.  I suppose in his own twisted way, Sheamus thinks he is helping the fans.  He certainly went out of his way to take out Daniel Bryan on the same Smackdown, leaving him a bloody mess in the aftermath of the match.

Ziggler becomes Sheamus main target in his crusade to rid the WWE of all the "runts".  Ziggler, being the prideful guy that he is, stands up to Sheamus and begins to fight back.  After Sheamus jumps another "runt" in the New Sensation, Neville, Dolph runs out to help and stops the attack.  He tells Sheamus that he is nothing more than a bully and Dolph has no problem standing up to him.

Sheamus seems none too worried about the challenge of Ziggler, telling him that he has been granted a match against Ziggler in a "Kiss Me Arse" match at Extreme Rules. Sheamus' plan is to embarrass Ziggler and make him get down on his hands and knees to kiss Sheamus's ass.  I suppose someone should have informed Sheamus that sometimes, things don't always go as planned because Ziggler actually ended up winning the match, meaning that the Celtic Warrior had to pucker up to Ziggler's backside instead.

Stay classy, Show Off.

In true heel fashion, Sheamus refused to kiss Ziggler, instead delivering a low blow and a Brogue Kick.  Afterwards, that dastardly bastard grabbed a microphone, hiked up his trunks, and stated, "I told the World that you'd kiss me arse".  Then Sheamus precedes to force an unconscious Ziggler to . . . make head to ass contact.  It was not necessarily a kiss but it certainly was enough to piss Chicago off.

Ziggler was pissed as well, taking out his anger on Sheamus the very next night during a qualifying round of the out-of-nowhere King of the Ring tournament.  Ziggler's interference caused a disqualification in the Celtic Warrior's favor but he ultimately would fall to Neville in the tournament, once again, because of Ziggler.  So now Sheamus is none too pleased with the Show Off.  Both men want payback.  Hmmm. . . .

The Stakes:

With the news that Daniel Bryan is out indefinitely, the Intercontinental Championship has been vacated.  The WWE has announced that a new IC champion will be crowned in an Elimination Chamber style match.  Since pulling Daniel Bryan from television and live events, Sheamus and the new King Barrett have formed a unique partnership against newfound allies Ziggler and Neville.  This match could very well feature your new WWE Intercontinental Champion and I have very little doubt that both men will be featured in the match, which is in two weeks, exclusively on the WWE Network.

Ziggler pulled out a victory at Extreme Rules and rightfully carries anger about the post match assault, but I feel as if Sheamus will get the victory here.   Either way, this match up has been very fun in the past and I do not see the two disappointing the crowd in Baltimore either.

Who do you think will get Payback this Sunday?

WWE Payback airs Sunday, May 17 on the WWE Network at 7 pm central time.  Join us here at Cageside Seats in the live thread.