WWE Payback 2015: Biggest Themes Established in Build to Event

After Extreme Rules utterly disappointed the vast majority of wrestling fans, the hope is that WWE understands it most come up with something huge and make the 2015 edition of Payback unforgettable.

On paper, the card doesn’t look overly impressive. However, there have been several marquee storylines built on the road to the pay-per-view, and the WWE Universe is willing to give the show a chance.

Here are the biggest themes established during the build to WWE’s Payback 2015.

The Odds Are Stacked Against Seth Rollins

Over the last several weeks, WWE has done everything in its power to make it look like Seth Rollins has the odds stacked against him and could lose the WWE World Heavyweight title at Payback. Just like Cena, Rollins isn’t going to lose his belt.

As if making it a Triple Threat match featuring Randy Orton and Roman Reigns wasn’t enough, the company went one step further and made it a Fatal 4-Way that also includes the Lunatic Fringe Dean Ambrose.

To a casual fan, the odds do look stacked against Rollins, but with Brock Lesnar eventually coming back, Rollins must hold the world title until at least SummerSlam. The result now is a predictable outcome.

WWE deserves some credit for at least putting together an intriguing Fatal 4-Way bout that will, at the very least, be fun to watch in the ring. Most fans know Rollins is going to win, but the 25 minutes before the pinfall could see some of the best wrestling all year.

Neither John Cena nor Rusev Will Quit

Everyone who has watched WWE over the last decade knows that Cena does not quit, but the company has also spent the last several weeks showcasing that neither does Rusev. Something must give at Payback.

The vast majority of the WWE Universe knew that Rusev was in trouble as soon as the "I Quit" stipulation was announced, but the caveat that this will be the final match of the series regardless of who wins or how it happens leads people to believe a swerve could be planned.

With visions of the Rock and Mankind from 1999 dancing in our heads, the hope is that Lana and Rusev’s tension has been a ruse all along. When Cena passes out in the Accolade, Lana—who was sent to the back early in the match—can play the pre-recorded clip of Cena saying “I Quit.”

Cena and the WWE officials can do whatever they want to discredit the win, but with the no-rematch clause, this would be Rusev’s way of stealing the victory and building even more heel heat.

Most of Payback Doesn’t Matter

The biggest theme established during the build to Payback is that the PPV doesn’t matter at all, with another WWE Network exclusive show announced for just two weeks later: Elimination Chamber.

From the tag team championship match that is now moot due to an Elimination Chamber tag team match later in May to all of the singles matches that will be grouped together for the Intercontinental Championship Elimination Chamber match, Sunday's outcomes are irrelevant.

Why should the WWE Universe care about the outcome of Dolph Ziggler versus Sheamus when it is clear both men will be entering the Elimination Chamber PPV with the same chance of winning the IC title?

With much of the card predictable and made even more moot by its proximity to the Elimination Chamber PPV, the biggest note about Payback is that it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of WWE booking.

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