WWE Payback 2015: Date, Start Time, Matches, Live Stream, PPV Info

In many ways, WWE Payback 2015 will feel like the sequel to Extreme Rules.

Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus will go at it again. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd will battle The New Day once more. John Cena and Rusev will fight for gold and pride, just as they did at the last pay-per-view.

Even with all the rematches on tap for Sunday, May 17 (8 p.m. ET)—and even with "payback" being in the event's title—revenge is not as prevalent a theme as one might expect. With just a three-week turnaround between Extreme Rules and Payback, WWE hasn't had time to let these rivalries intensify.

Instead, when WWE travels to the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, fans will be assured a look at several young talents in action but not a strong supply of buildup.

Stellar in-ring work will have to make up for a lack of hype for Payback to be a hit. With Ziggler, Neville, Cesaro and Seth Rollins on the card, there's a strong possibility of that happening.

Live Stream, PPV Info

The push for new WWE Network subscribers continues. WWE has made the month of May free to new subscribers after offering the same deal in April.

That means that Payback is available at zero cost for newcomers to the streaming service. The trial subscription also includes access to NXT, a long list of original specials and WWE's extensive pay-per-view archive.

Payback will stream live on Apple TV, Kindle Fire, Roku, video game consoles and a variety of other devices.

Before the event begins in earnest, WWE will air a pre-show for free at 7 p.m. ET on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Pheed, as well as via the WWE App. A panel will preview the night's biggest matches and offer recaps of all the current storylines.

As for Payback proper, a large number of international viewers will get to see all the action on the WWE Network.

Fans in places like the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico and Turkey can now take advantage of the 24/7 streaming service. Canadian viewers can get the network through Rogers Cable and other providers. WWE followers in Germany and Japan are still waiting for the network to come to their country.

Check out the network help section on WWE.com to check availability around the world.

It's hard to pass up going the WWE Network route, whether one is getting it for free or paying the standard $9.99 monthly fee. Still, if you live in an area with limited access to high-speed Internet, cable companies provide an alternative viewing method.

Suddenlink, Cox Communications and other providers will broadcast the pay-per-view. The show will run about $45 through them. To check viewing options via cable companies in other countries, visit WWE.com's How to Watch section.

Match Card

• Curtis Axel and Damien Sandow vs. The Ascension (Pre-show)
• Bray Wyatt vs. Ryback
• Neville vs. Bad News Barrett
• Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
• The New Day vs. Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (2-out-of-3 Falls, Tag Team Championship)
• John Cena vs. Rusev (I Quit, United States Championship)
• Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton vs. Dean Ambrose (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Mega Powers Reprise, Sort of

Axel has borrowed heavily from Hulk Hogan's bag of tricks, from ripping his shirt to throwing around the word "brother." Sandow is following Axel's lead, choosing to emulate Randy Savage.

Together, they form an odd tribute to The Mega Powers.

Their first act together is to take on The Ascension, a team struggling to make an impact in the tag team division.

This has comedy match written all over it unless, of course, WWE decides to finally portray Viktor and Konnor as formidable beasts.

Wyatt-Ryback I

After moving on from a loss to Undertaker, Wyatt sought out new prey. He has hunted down Ryback because he believes him to be too vain.

Their rivalry has mostly consisted of Wyatt threatening The Big Guy or ambushing him once the lights go off. Now it's time for the violence to truly get started.

This feels like the first part in a long series. Don't expect a conclusion here. A cliffhanger is likelier.

King Versus Rookie

Neville's pay-per-view debut saw him upset Barrett, who paid the high-flyer back in the King of the Ring tournament finals. Barrett earned the right to call himself king by knocking off Neville.

Payback provides the stage for their rematch.

This isn't a bout rich with storylines. WWE has had little time to pump much narrative into this. As a result, it's likely to be a well-worked match but not especially memorable.

The two rivals have looked good against each other in their previous clashes. They get another crack to impress here.

The Showoff Seeks Revenge

This is the only bout that truly makes use of the pay-per-view's theme.

Ziggler is seething after their last pay-per-view meeting. The Showoff won their Kiss Me Arse match, but Sheamus knocked Ziggler out rather than kissing his backside. The babyface then did some booty-smooching after he was out cold.

Credit: WWE.com

WWE hasn't done nearly enough to take advantage of that moment. In the weeks after Extreme Rules, the animosity level hasn't risen much.

Still, there is a story of revenge for the wrestlers to work with here, as Ziggler is looking to pay Sheamus back.

They produced a quality match the last time around. It's a safe bet they will do so again, especially without all the butt-kissing shenanigans that went on at Extreme Rules.

Tag Title Rematch

Kofi Kingston and Big E surprised the WWE audience by snatching the gold from Cesaro and Kidd. That win was the catalyst for a heel turn for the clap-happy team. Cesaro and Kidd, meanwhile, have morphed into babyfaces since.

The New Day will enter as a heel stable on the rise. Its shift in character has made it a far more interesting squad.

That likely means it will keep the tag titles. Cesaro and Kidd, though, will have several opportunities to reclaim the championship. The match stipulation allows them to avoid a fluky finish, which has this contest looking like the one likeliest to steal the show.

Will Cena Quit?

"Never give up" is one of the mantras Cena often barks into a microphone and wears on his T-shirts. Whether he can stay true to that will be at the center of the fourth straight pay-per-view bout between him and Rusev.

Credit: WWE.com

Rusev is just 1-2 in their ongoing series. To avoid a third loss, he has to force Cena to verbally quit. That's a tough assignment.

Cena has never lost this kind of bout before.

It doesn't help that Rusev's manager is seemingly poised to turn on him. Lana has played to the crowd a lot in recent weeks. She then received a tongue-lashing from Rusev and sulked as she exited the ring area. That points to her becoming a face at some point and quite possibly being the key factor in the outcome of this match.

Fatal 4-Way

Rollins faces two of his former brothers in arms in addition to the man who defeated him at WrestleMania.

The crowded main event is the most electric match on the card. It features a trio of WWE's best rising stars, as well as the possibility that Orton, Ambrose or Reigns could walk out of Baltimore as the champion.

Don't go betting on that outcome, though. This has all the makings of a situation where the slimy champ finds a way to survive. WWE has been sure to play up how poor Rollins' chances of retaining are, which feels a lot like reverse psychology in action.

However things shake out, Kane will be involved. Just like at Extreme Rules, WWE is inserting the Director of Operations into the thick of this narrative.

Triple H has suggested that if Rollins loses the title, Kane will lose his job. Kane, however, is growing increasingly irritated with the whiny ingrate he has to prop up as champ. Tensions are brewing and a rift in The Authority is set to tear wide open.

That explosion and hints of what's to come at Elimination Chamber and beyond are sure to be a vital part of how the marquee match unfolds.