Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus: Winner and Reaction from WWE Payback 2015

After several weeks of bullying Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus didn't get his comeuppance Sunday night as the Celtic Warrior managed to defeat the Showoff at WWE Payback in a bloody affair.

The WWE Universe Twitter account had the result:

Sheamus was fast to tweet his thoughts after the match: 

WrestleZone.com and Robert Littal of BSO Sports provided their quick takes on the match:

WWE revealed that Ziggler received 10 stitches after the match: 

Ziggler and Sheamus have been at odds ever since the latter returned from injury the night after WrestleMania. The Irish-born Superstar has made it his mission to embarrass Superstars who are smaller than him, and Ziggler has been his primary target.

They looked to settle the score at Extreme Rules in a Kiss Me Arse match, and while Ziggler was able to win that bout, Sheamus won the psychological game as he refused to settle the stipulation and ultimately pummeled the former Money in the Bank holder.

That pattern continued during the weeks leading up to Payback, and Sheamus did everything possible to degrade Ziggler, including poking and prodding him on Twitter:

They even ended up costing each other in the King of the Ring tournament, so there was no shortage of bad blood between them when they locked horns once again on pay-per-view.

Unlike Extreme Rules, Ziggler was the one on the losing end this time around, which sets up some interesting scenarios for both men moving forward.

Even though Ziggler has taken the brunt of the abuse throughout this rivalry—and now has a loss on his record as well—he has looked valiant. Because of that, he has all the makings of a big-time contender for the vacant intercontinental championship at Elimination Chamber.

With that said, Sheamus figures to be in the mix as well. He finally has some momentum on his side in the form of a pay-per-view win, and he has been established as an aggressive heel. The 37-year-old veteran has never held the IC title, but he is as good of a candidate as anyone.

There have been some highlights throughout this feud, but the creative team hasn't been committed enough to make it great. With that in mind, there isn't much reason to continue the angle. Luckily, the Elimination Chamber event gives WWE an easy exit plan.

While the Ziggler-Sheamus program didn't always hit the right notes in terms of mic work and storytelling, they worked hard when they were in the ring together, and Payback was yet another example of that.

Both Ziggler and Sheamus have been midcard workhorses for some time, so it is no surprise that they meshed well together.

They are both deserving of more significant spots on the card and more substantial storylines, though, so perhaps they are now poised to be placed in more advantageous positions.

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