WWE Payback 2014: Grading Best and Worst Performances from Allstate Arena
WWE Payback was strange, partially exciting and worrisome all at the same time.
Kind of like Bray Wyatt, I guess.
There were a few memorable matches on Sunday from Allstate Arena in Chicago, but it played out like a juiced-up episode of Monday Night Raw, as opposed to a full-out pay-per-view event.
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Let's treat this like a performance review at work and talk about the good stuff first.
Shall we?
Best Performances
Sheamus and Cesaro
In a match that felt like it should have been for more than just the United States Championship, Cesaro and Sheamus had one of the best scraps of the night.
It was unclear who was going to win through most parts of the match, and somehow, each man came out of the battle looking good.
Cesaro hit a plethora of European uppercuts, including a tossing version that was impressive considering the size of the Celtic Warrior.
Sheamus continues to show his underrated athleticism with floor-to-top-rope pull-ups and solid agility while in the ring with a stud like Cesaro.
In the end, Sheamus knocked off Cesaro and retained the U.S. title with a sneaky small-package pin seconds after 20 revolutions in the Swiss Superman's Giant Swing.
The Chicago crowd was clearly on Cesaro's side, but there weren't many boos in the crowd after a really solid match.
Perhaps these two can help elevate the U.S. title to a level that'll discourage me from saying things like, "it should have been for more than just the United States Championship."
Grade: B+
Bray Wyatt and John Cena
Quite honestly, it was difficult for any match to follow this one. Poor Paige and Alicia Fox had the unenviable task of doing just that.
Wyatt and Cena put on an epic Last Man Standing battle that ended with Cena landing an Attitude Adjustment on Wyatt through a large black box that probably has a technical name, but I don't know what it is.
It's not really relevant, as Cena pushed another of those big black boxes over the hole Wyatt's body created and stood on top of it while the referee counted to 10.
These two put each other through a ton during this match.
Cena literally threw the steel steps into Wyatt's face at one point, and the industry's best heel reciprocated with at least two Sister Abigails—in and outside of the ring.
Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and The Usos only added to the action with their well-timed interferences.
Critics can say whatever they want about Cena, but he's just been involved in yet another classic match. That's no coincidence.
Grade: A+
The Shield and Evolution
Fox and Paige fell flat in their attempts to follow Wyatt and Cena, but The Shield did not. While the ultimate result was predictable, the manner in which it arrived was not.
Who saw a 3-0 sweep from The Shield coming?
Chad Dukes Wrestling didn't seem to expect it:
The Hounds of Justice channeled their inner Mortal Kombat after the match, via Twitter:
Though they won, The Shield got the living daylights beat out of them in the process.
Roman Reigns took the most isolated beating as he was spread out medieval style across the steel steps and beaten with kendo sticks by each member of Evolution.
It was borderline too much for TV actually.
Still, he had his usual dynamic moments. There was no shortage of Superman punches and gut-shaking spears from the future WrestleMania main event attraction.
Consider that a guarantee.
The guy has more star power and charisma than any other Superstar in the WWE. It's just a matter of time.
While Dean Ambrose's in-ring work is usually overlooked, he was predictably solid and continues to function as the technical glue for The Shield's wrestling machine.
Rollins' leap from the top of the Titantron was like a miniature version of the plunge Shane McMahon took at another Chicago pay-per-view, Backlash back in 2001.
How long can these three Superstars continue to function as a group with a promotion in such need for new individual stars?
Frank Cossentino of Pro Wrestling Report wonders the same thing:
Who knows, but The Shield and Evolution put on a heck of a show on Sunday night in the main event. Hopefully, the feud evolves or perishes from here.
Grade: A-
Stephanie McMahon
How good is Stephanie on the microphone?
Really good.
Whether it was pre-rehearsed or off the top of her brilliant dome, this line to Daniel Bryan and the pro-CM Punk crowd was genius.
In the middle of Bryan's mic work, the crowd began to chant: "CM Punk!"
As Stephanie pushed Bryan to quit and give up his title, she fired this seemingly improvisational shot at Bryan and the crowd: "See Daniel, they want you to quit, just like CM Punk did."
And with that, she could've dropped the mic and walked off.
She stayed and got slapped in the face by Brie Bella, which was odd and uncomfortable, but entertaining nonetheless.
Grade: A
Worst Performances
Paige and Alicia Fox
Perhaps there's a point being missed, but Paige isn't spectacular at all. Her moves are clumsily executed, and her in-ring presence is lacking.
Fox was better in the ring and more entertaining with her weird crazy-girl antics.
Don't get it twisted. Neither of them were special, but you'd expect the champion to be a little better than this.
Grade: D
Rhodes Brothers
Just have them fight already.
It's clear we're moving toward a Rhodes Brothers feud. Perhaps it'll happen at SummerSlam, but something has to give with their boring program.
The team can't get a win, and insult was added to injury when they lost to RybAxel at Payback. Fans should have been insulted by the quality of the match and perhaps injured themselves running away from one of the low points of the show.
Grade: D
RVD
I'm afraid I've got some bad news.
Rob Van Dam is one of the most exciting performers ever, but his character has zero depth right now.
The WWE can no longer hide his lack of vocal talents with a handful of rolling thunders, spinning back kicks and Five-Star Splashes.
He's bland and not worthy of a feud with a rising star like Bad News Barrett.
This match was never really in doubt as it would have been ridiculous to see Barrett lose the intercontinental strap to RVD at this point in his push.
Grade: C-
Follow me. I go back like Jumpin' Jim Brunzell and Paul Roma.
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