WWE Payback is all set to pop off tonight (Sun., May 1, 2016) from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois at 7:00 p.m. ET, live on the WWE Network. You may also be able to watch this on pay-per-view (PPV) if your cable provider is carrying the event.
CagesideSeats.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, match-by-match coverage of Payback below, beginning with the first match of the evening and right on through to the main event.
Kick your off your shoes, relax, and enjoy all the action with your favorite pro wrestling website. And remember to keep refreshing! Note: To get in on the conversation on this show, visit our open thread here.
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WWE PAYBACK QUICK RESULTS
Roman Reigns def. AJ Styles
Charlotte def. Natalya
The Miz def. Cesaro
Dean Ambrose def. Chris Jericho
Kevin Owens def. Sami Zayn
Enzo & Big Cass vs. The Vaudevillans ends in no contest due to an injury to Enzo Amore
Dolph Ziggler def. Baron Corbin
Kalisto def. Ryback
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WWE PAYBACK LIVE BLOG & MATCH COVERAGE
Geno here. You're stuck with me for the pre-show match.
Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler
This was a late addition to the pre-show.
They were working the angle that Corbin has the size and power but Ziggler has the speed and veteran savvy. Ziggler got a two count on a Fameasser late that got a big pop from the crowd. They went to the outside and Corbin started beating Dolph up there, tossing him into the ring post. Because it's the Zig Man, it looked fantastic.
Mauro Ranallo put over Baron's mean streak.
He got cocky, though, hanging out on the outside too long and then standing on Dolph's neck once back in. Naturally, this led to Dolph recovering and rolling Corbin up to get the victory.
Ziggler def. Corbin
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Kalisto vs. Ryback
This is for the United States championship.
THE BIG GUY was heavily booed. You can probably point to the crowd being energetic as it's still early in the night. Ryback was wearing a belt that said "pre-show stopper" so he's obviously the greatest human who ever lived.
As with their other matches, it was about Ryback's size and power against Kalisto's technical mastery and high flying. One of those high flying spots was a springboard DDT on the apron, a ridiculous move that looked incredible. Not long after Ryback hit a big spot of his own, a press slam from the top rope. He tried to follow up with a frog splash but Kalisto moved, hit Salida Del Sol, and got the pinfall to retain the title.
Kalisto def. Ryback
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OK, Kyle here with the hot tag form Geno to cover the main show. Strap in and let's do this.
Then. Now. Forever.
The Vaudevillains vs. Enzo & Big Cass
Prior to the match, the New Day cut a promo in the ring. They say they're going to watch the match at ringside drinking lemonade like Becky with the good hair. Xavier tells Beyonce that if she wants to get one back on her guy to make things even, she can hit X up on the DM on his twitter.
The crowd is eating up Enzo and Cass. Even Cass gets some kicks in, when he says they flex like they're Arnold but more like 'Hey, Arnold" and they're going to kick their football heads off the stoop.
It's pretty even early on with Enzo and the Villains. Cass gets an early tag in against English and goes to town on him. Cass and Enzo are hot with Cass tossing Enzo into both men. However, when Gotch tossed Enzo from under the rope, Enzo hit his head on the middle rope, his head snapped back, he hits the mat hard, and he fell to the floor. The match slops as the ref throws up the X.
They bring the stretcher out and the ref calls for the bell.
This match ends in no contest due to an injury to Enzo Amore.
Man, let's all hope this injury isn't as bad as it looked.
The camera is mainly on the announcers who talk about the injury and then they throw to a Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens video package.
Enzo Updates:
#1 (during the KO/Zayn match): Cole reports they are moving him to a hospital. Enzo is talking and moving extremities.
#2 (9:10 pm): He's currently undergoing testing. Reiterates he is communicating and moving his arms/legs
#3 (10:20 pm): Cole reports that Enzo is still at the hospital. He has a concussion but all of the other tests are negative.
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Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn hits first and starts on the offensive. KO gets tossed out of the ring and Sami jumps the top rope to land on him. The attack continues on the outside. However, eventually KO slides out when Sami is on the apron, he pulls Sami down onto the apron and tosses him into the ring steps to take control.
Owens has control for awhile. Sami tries to fight out but Kevin picks Zayn up and drops him on the top ropes and hits the senton for a near fall. Finally, Sami hits a series of clotheslines and both men are down in the middle of the ring.
Sami now has control, nailing KO with a long series of corner punches and then a slam that Cole incorrectly calls the Blue Thunder Bomb. Then Sami hits the actual Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall! They have to censor a couple Sami F bombs.
Kevin hits a package shoulder breaker and then a frog splash for the 1-2... kick out Sami! Owens finally goes for the Pop Up Powerbomb, but Sami drop kicks him and then tosses KO over but as Sami goes to follow up on KO, Owens nails a huge lariat and both men are down!
This goes back in forth. It spills onto the ring apron as both men trade blows. KO goes for a powerbomb on the apron but Sami reverses it into a back drop! KO is outside next to the ring post which leads to.... turnbuckle DDT!
Back in the ring Sami sets up for the Helluva but gets hit with a superkick from KO. KO tosses a groggy Zayn against the ropes... Pop Up Powerbomb! 1-2-3!
Kevin Owens def. Sami Zayn via pinfall
After the match, KO tosses Sami out of the rings as the fans reign down boos. He then demands Byron come in the ring with a microphone. Saxton gets in the ring and KO demands he asks him about beating Sami. When Saxton asks if the rivalry is over, Owens goes on about he beat Sami Zayn and that makes him the better man. He says now he's going to win his IC belt back.
When Byron asks him about the Intercontinental title match tonight, which is next, Kevin takes that as an invite to call the match with them and he goes to ringside.
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The Miz vs. Cesaro
Cesaro has control in the beginning, showing off his power. When Cesaro was trying to suplex Miz into the ring from the apron, Maryse held Miz's leg preventing thing. Miz used this to get a shot in on Cesaro and followed up with an Ax Handle from the top rope.
Then Miz goes to work on Cesaro's shoulder. Cesaro tries to fight back, but Miz is able to lock in a sleeper that the Swiss Superman has a tough time fighting out of. Because Cesaro is super strong, he powers Miz from a sleeper, into a suplex.
Miz tries to go on the offensive, but it's uppercut time! Corner to corner uppercuts over and and over again! He follows up with a drop kick for a near fall! Cesaro is on fire. He finally hits a springboard corkscrew uppercut and goes for the swing, but Miz fights out and tries to go for his kneeling DDT. Cesaro reverses into Swiss Death for another near fall.
Cesaro missed an attack in the corner and hit his shoulder on the steel. Miz hits the Skull Crushing finale for the 1-2-KICK OUT!
Meanwhile, SAMI ZAYN ATTACKS KO ON COMMENTARY!
In ring... CESARO SWING! Then a Cross face! Meanwhile, KO and Sami are fighting on the apron! Miz taps but the ref is busy with KO and Sami. Cesaro knocks both men off the apron but Miz rolls up him for a pinfall victory.
Miz def. Cesaro to retain the IC title.
After the match, Cesaro hits the Neutralizer on Miz, but gets super kicked by KO. Sami tries to attack, but KO is the last man standing in the ring holding the Intercontinental belt.
There's a fatal four way in our future
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Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho
Ambrose is super serious while Y2J has his shit eating grin. Dean starts off on the offensive and sticks on it for a while. However, a back body drop from Jericho to Dean over the top rope onto the floor. He follows up with a drop kick outside. However, his run is short lived as Dean hits the rebound lariat outside.
Then Dean does Jericho's one legged cover pose on Chris outside the ring!
A drop kick to Dean that knocked him outside gives Jericho a longer run on offensive. After working over Dean for a little time, he goes for his running bulldog but Dean shoves him into the corner. This gives the Lunatic Fringe time to recover and go back on the attack.
This becomes a back and forth affair between both men. Ambrose hits a corner clothesline and running bulldog of his own for a near fall. He misses an ax handle from the corner and Chris Jericho locks in the Walls! Ambrose finally gets to the ropes. Jericho is pissed that he did and throws some knees at Dean while Dean is still on the ropes. He does it again, but Dean gets out of the way and Jericho falls out of the ring. Then a suicide dive by Ambrose!
Ambrose then starts preparing the announce table for some carnage. He sets up for Dirty Deeds on the announce table but Jericho reverses it and tries to hit the Walls again. He can't so he sling shots Jericho over the barricade instead. Jericho rolls in to try for a count out win.
Ambrose JUST beats the count which infuriates Jericho ("Stupid idiot!"). He misses a Code Breaker and then Ambrose hits a rebound clothesline for a near fall!
Eventually, Jericho goes for a move from the top but Dean gets out of the way and goes for Dirty Deeds. Jericho avoids it and locks in the Walls again! Ambrose fights out and turns it into a small package for a near fall! Jericho is back on the offensive again but cannot put Dean away.
Jericho tries a lionsault but Ambrose gets the knees up. Dean grabs Y2J's arms to try to hook in Dirty Deeds, but Jericho keeps fighting it. Finally, Dean is able to nail is for the 1-2-3.
Dean Ambrose def. Chris Jericho
After the match, Jericho throws a temper tantrum outside the ring.
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Charlotte (w/ Ric Flair) vs. Natalya (w/Bret Hart) for the Women's Championship
The match starts with Nattie trying a couple different submissions, including two attempted Sharpshooters. Charlotte gets control after she kicks the rope as Nattie tries to re-enter the ring from the outside.
The crowd starts a "We Want Sasha" chant, ignoring the fact that both women in the ring have put on great matches together.
Charlotte maintains control of the match and taunts a bit as she does. The ladies trade chops and then Nattie goes back on the offensive. That is short lived and soon Charlotte is working the left leg of Natalya. The champ then hooks in a modified half crab. Nattie fights out and turns it into an armbar. Charlotte's long legs help her get to the ropes quickly.
Charlotte then suplexes Nattie against the ropes, injuring her leg further. The champ goes up for the moonsault but Nattie shoves her straight to the floor!
To their credit, the crowd gets a "Nattie" chant going.
Charlotte tried to powerbomb Nattie outside, but Nattie hits a huricanrana instead. When Nattie gets back in, she goes for her discuss clothesline but eats a big boot instead. She's able to keep fighting though and stays on the offensive, hitting her clothesline.
Charlotte fights out of a Sharpshooter and hits Natural Selection but Nattie kicks out! The champ then hits the moonsault but again the challenger kicks out! Finally she locks in the figure four but is unable to bridge. Nattie reverses it and Charlotte grabs the ropes.
Then Charlotte applies the Sharpshooter to Nattie... and the bell rings! But Nattie never tapped!
(I'd like to note Lil' Naitch is the ref) Looks like they did a Montreal Screw Job finish.
Charlotte def. Natalya to retain the title.
After the match, both Bret and Natalya apply Sharpshooters to Ric and Charlotte.
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Vince's decision
Vince comes out and he's greeted by a loud and longer than usual CM Punk chant. He starts talking and they do it again. He then speaks about all the different eras of Raw and goes on to say we need someone for this new era of Monday Night Raw.
He introduces Steph, who the crowd boos mercilessly. She thanks them for their support for when Roman Reigns speared her at Mania. She puts herself over for the DivasRevolution, the Shield, AJ Styles, a slew of other wrestlers, and the largest WrestleMania ever. She also says that the WWE Network was the best thing under the Authority's leadership. She then derides Shane for leaving them and reminds Vince that Shane actually lost at WrestleMania.
"Here Comes the Money!" Shane comes down to a rousing ovation. The crowd LOVES him. He shows some headlines from news outlets that put him over as a good change for WWE. Shane says only the subscribers themselves can take credit for the 1.8 million Network subscribers. (We really can't though.) He notes that the subs went up around Mania and one of the matches on that card is in the ring. He explains he left years back because his voice wasn't being heard and he felt the company should go in a different direction. And since then, the Authority ran the show into the ground.
Vince says he wants blood. He wants to see them slit each others throats and disembowel each other. He decides to let Shane and Steph BOTH run Raw and they can figure it out from there.
Shane extends his hand and Steph reluctantly shakes it.
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AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship
The match starts off even as the crowd is loudly chanting "AJ Styles." AJ works kicks to Roman's legs while Roman relies on his power.
AJ maintains control but it just takes one huge shoulder block from Roman to knock AJ outside the ring and give Roman control. Styles knocks the champ with some elbows but Roman hits a monster lariat and a huge powerbomb. He is now in clear control.
Roman goes for a Superman punch but AJ counters it with a Pele kick! Styles is back in control with his high octane offense. He gets Roman in a fireman's carry (!) and hits a huge shoulder breaker. AJ keeps on the advantage and locks the Calf Crusher! Roman makes the ropes.
So far, AJ has stood toe to toe with Roman and has had an answer to everything Roman tried.
HOLY CRAP! PHENOMENAL FOREARM OFF THE TOP ROPE ONTO ROMAN ONTO THE FLOOR CRASHING THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!!
Styles makes it back into the ring but Roman doesn't and Styles wins by Count out? That can't be the end
Shane McMahon comes out and restarts the match with no count outs!
AJ gets Roman in the ring and despite a neck breaker from Roman, AJ is still on fire! Elbows and then a Pele! He goes up for a 450 splash but Roman gets his knees up! AJ kicks out at 2! AJ comes off the ropes and Roman hits him in the gut, but the ref thinks it's low and DQs Roman.
So of course Stephanie McMahon comes out and restarts this match and makes it no DQ. Makes things interesting for Anderson and Gallows I'm sure.
Now Roman is on the offensive, who is tossing AJ around outside the ring. However, AJ again isn't down long, hitting a flying clothesline to Roman, knocking him over the barricade, from outside the crowd. He gets Roman back in the ring and goes for the Forearm but Roman hits the Superman punch instead! Kick out from AJ! Reigns stands Styles up and hits another and then sets up for the spear in the corner... GALLOWS AND ANDERSON PULL AJ OUT OF THE RING.
NOW ANDERSON AND GALLOWS ARE BEATING UP ROMAN! THEY LAY HIM OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
AJ slowly climbs back onto the apron for the Phenomenal Forearm... and hits it! 1-2... foot on the ropes!
Now here come the Usos, who fight Anderson and Gallows outside the ring! As they are, AJ climbs to the top to hit Roman but Reigns is up quickly and knocks AJ off the top onto the four guys on the outside. Then Reigns jumps over the top rope to nail them all... except AJ WHO HITS A PHENOMENAL FOREARM FROM THE BARRICADE!
He gets Roman back in the ring and hits a spring board 450.... kick out Roman! Styles then sets up for the Clash but Roman flips him over the top rope onto the apron. Reigns goes for a Superman Punch, but AJ hits him and then goes for the Phenomenal Forearm but Roman gets out of the way and hits his spear for the 1-2-3.
Roman Reigns def. AJ Styles via pinfall
That may have been overbooked but it ended being really fun and AJ looked like a star despite losing.
Backstage, Vince is telling Shane & Steph that it was a great match and commends them for restarting it. He asks if AJ should have another match and they both think so. And it will be in 3 weeks at Extreme Rules!
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Thanks for watching, folks. It was a fun show overall and we hope Enzo Amore has the speediest of recoveries. Keep it here on CagesideSeats.com for the review and all the fallout.
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