WWE Payback 2016: Full Predictions for Each Champion at Event

As a pay-per-view that has had just three title changes in three years, WWE Payback 2016 may turn out to be a relatively quiet one for the company's champions if history is anything to go by.

However, there's no reason to say 2016 may turn out completely differently, and with four of WWE's five belts on the line this Sunday, there's the possibility of some big title changes.

Although WWE has consigned Kalisto's match against Ryback to the pre-show yet again, it features in our rundown of what could be in store for every champion this weekend.

With the exception of The New Day, who are not slated to defend their tag titles at the time of writing, here's full predictions for the remainder of WWE's reigning champions this Sunday.

Kalisto (vs. Ryback, United States Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

The United States Championship has been on a roller-coaster ride of its own over the last year or so.

Despite the prestige John Cena's extensive reign seemed to give the belt, it's now massively dropped down the pecking order once again.

Hopes were high when Kalisto captured the title from Alberto Del Rio, but a number of quick switches back and forth between those two always seemed to devalue Kalisto's worth as champion.

And now? WWE is forcing him to defend his strap on the pre-show for the second consecutive pay-per-view. What makes things even more confusing is that his rivalry with Ryback has had almost next to no exposure, especially on Raw.

That all points to a title change this Sunday, as Kalisto's run as champion just hasn't picked up any momentum. A Ryback victory wouldn't completely solve the belt's woes, but it would be a decent start to allow a new babyface to step forward and take on The Big Guy.

Prediction: Kalisto drops the United States Championship via pinfall.

Charlotte (vs. Natalya, Women's Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

It seems that for the credibility of Charlotte and the Women's Championship, one of two outcomes needs to happen at Payback on Sunday.

The first is Charlotte finally scoring a clean win, with the presence of Bret Hart at ringside to keep Ric Flair quiet and allow the champion do her thing without any controversy.

The other option is having Hart even the scales to such an extent that Natalya actually scores the win and becomes the new women's champion.

But that doesn't feel quite right at the moment.

We're still waiting to see Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks one-on-one, and it would be a travesty if it didn't have the title as a prize for the victor.

To that end, we should see Charlotte win this weekend, and finally win clean. It would do her no harm at all. In fact, it would do her some good.

Prediction: Charlotte retains via pinfall.

The Miz (vs. Cesaro, Intercontinental Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

If there was a bigger surprise than Zack Ryder winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32, then it was The Miz taking it from him 24 hours later.

Few saw Miz as a worthwhile champion, but amongst a crowded roster with so much fresh talent, he and Cesaro have managed to craft out a decent rivalry.

The return of Maryse adds a vintage manager-wrestler partnership, which never seems to be a bad route to take, and that has strengthened The Miz's all-round character.

And at Payback, he should be too much for Cesaro to handle. This rivalry may roll on through the summer months, and that would be no bad thing.

But expect the crafty Maryse to play a part as she aids her husband and allows him to retain.

Prediction: The Miz retains via pinfall, with a distraction from Maryse.

Roman Reigns (vs. AJ Styles, WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

It feels like there are a plethora of options available for the direction of Roman Reigns this weekend.

For example, he could align himself with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in what would represent a major swerve from WWE. He could win clean or could cheat to win to at least give the company a reason to justify the booing he gets on a weekly basis.

But when looking at what's in store for Reigns at Payback, it's probably more logical to look at the fate of his opponent.

WWE has teased a reformation of The Bullet Club with AJ Styles at the helm for a number of weeks now, so it's only natural that the company would swerve fans and go in another direction.

Finn Balor dropping the NXT Championship hints at a switch to the main roster, and doing it as the leader of a new Bullet Club to screw Styles would make sense.

So Reigns escapes with the title, but not because of his own doing.

Prediction: Roman Reigns retains courtesy of interference from Balor, Gallows and Anderson.