WWE Payback 2014 Match Card, Predictions & How to Watch: Evolution vs. The Shield, Will Daniel Bryan Forfeit Title?
The WWE Payback card has changed a fair share since WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan went down with a neck injury.
Bryan, who won the title at Wrestlemania 30 in April, has been forced to decide between relinquishing his title or letting his wife Brie Bella be fired, after Stephanie McMahon demanded the champion "do the right thing. However, Payback -- taking place 8 p.m. Sunday at the AllState Arena in Illinois -- should offer plenty of excitement for the WWE Universe, with three titles on the line that night.
Hair vs Mask match: El Torito vs Hornswoggle
In what is becoming a storied rivalry for the ages, El Torito, who has eliminated 3MB one-by-one in singles matches in the weeks leading into Payback, faces Hornswoggle, putting his mask on the line should he lose the match to the Irishman, in the "Payback Pre-Show." El Torito is still fuming that Hornswoggle stole his tail and wants revenge by leaving Hornswoggle bald.
Prediction:
The mask means everything to Mexican luchadors and El Torito will pull out all the stops to not only keep his mask but get his tail back, with help from Los Matadores, to gain the victory over his nemesis.
Big E vs Alexander Rusov
Rusev has been mauling the WWE roster since being elevated to the main roster, bowling over the likes of R-Truth, Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston before the former Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston decided to stop him in his tracks.
Prediction:
Big E can match strength with the European juggernaut, but Rusov will be able to muster the brute force needed to get past Langston, with help from Lana, to take a major win early in his career.
WWE Divas Championship match: Paige (champion) vs Alicia Fox
Fox earned a title shot, having defeated Paige in a non-title on "Raw," but has been unhinged since the victory, wilding out on the commentators table -- whether after a win or a loss -- of late. The young champion has shown resiliency but must be careful of a title contender that seems out of control.
Prediction:
Paige, though still learning the ropes will hold on to the title, with Fox making an emotional mistake that will cost her the match and the championship at Payback.
United States Championship match: Sheamus (champion) vs Cesaro
Sheamus defends his title -- having beaten former champ Dean Ambrose and 28 other competitors in a 30-man Over-the-top-Rope Battle Royal for the title -- against Cesaro, the man who has been on a huge roll after winning the inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 30. Since joining forces with Paul Heyman, Cesaro has a new attitude where anything less than gold around his waist is unacceptable.
Prediction:
While the "King of Swing" has been on a hot streak, so has the Irishman since winning gold and will likely find a way to keep Heyman at bay en route to retaining his title against Cesaro.
Intercontinental Championship match: Wade Barrett (champion) vs Rob Van Dam
Since making his return to the WWE after Wrestlemania 30, "Bad News" Barrett has won the Intercontinental title, beating Big E at Extreme Rules after running roughshod through the tournament to determine the number one contender -- beating Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, and RVD -- to win gold.The Whole F'n Show" would like to add more gold to his resume, which includes an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) heavyweight title and a WWE Championship.
Prediction:
Barrett may prove to be too big and too strong for RVD and retain his title.
Last Man Standing match: Bray Wyatt vs John Cena
Wyatt has thrown everything at Cena -- even a choir full of kids -- to mess with his head, but the former champion is still standing strong -- with a little help from the WWE Tag Team Champions, the Usos. The Usos better be prepared to help Cena out considering Erick Rowan and Luke Harper will be lurking in the shadows looking for an opportunity to help their clan leader.
Prediction:
Cena has proven to be a tough challenge for those that face him in a Last Man Standing match, especially with the Usos watching his back, and should rise above Wyatts' mind games to take the win.
Six-Man Elimination No-Holds-Barred match: Evolution (Triple H, Batista, & Randy Orton) vs The Shield (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, & Dean Ambrose)
The hottest rivalry in wrestling will take the spotlight Sunday night as The Shield faces Evolution in an everything-goes match that will push all six competitors to the limits. Their last match ended with Seth Rollins taping into his inner "New Jack" and taking a sick dive off the balcony to take out Orton and Triple H as they were double-teaming Ambrose in the stands. That wipe-out allowed Roman Reigns to finish Batista off, with The Shield coming out victorious at Payback. But The Shield still want a piece of Evolution, as Triple H has laid a gauntlet of "Adapt or Perish" that has included siccing half the locker room on the "Hounds of Justice."
Prediction:
Evolution has the experience factor, with Triple H showing The Shield how handy he is with a sledgehammer last Monday night, but The Shield can match Evolution in ruthlessness and will use their youth to their advantage to once again hold a victory over Evolution.
Television
Please contact your cable or satellite provider for information on how to order the Payback WWE pay-per-view, with the broadcast set to begin at 8 p.m. EST.
Live Stream (online)
Live stream coverage of the Payback Pre-Show begins at 7:30 p.m. EST and can be seen on WWE Network. Live stream coverage of "Extreme Rules" can be seen on the WWE Network.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!