WWE Payback 2016: Odds, Final Picks and Predictions for All Matches on the Card
WWE has assembled an intriguing card for the 2016 edition of its Payback pay-per-view, which takes over Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, later on tonight.
While plenty of fans will be tuning in to see whether there will be some sort of Bullet Club reunion in a WWE ring before the end of the show, a strong undercard has also been assembled with some must-see matches.
Contrary to WWE's standard post-WrestleMania strategy, tonight's card is free from the onslaught of rematches we usually see on the first pay-per-view after the Showcase of the Immortals. As such, we might see a few surprises before all is said and done.
Here's some last-minute predictions for Payback 2016, as well as the favourite to win each match and the safest option for a bet on tonight's show based on the last several weeks of television.
Pre-Show: Ryback vs. Kalisto
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In tonight's sole rematch from WrestleMania 32, we'll see Kalisto once again defend his United States Championship against Ryback.
The little-and-large pairing of Kalisto and Ryback produced a great match in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament leading up to Survivor Series 2015 and another enjoyable contest at last month's Showcase of the Immortals.
However, there hasn't been a great deal of excitement to the rivalry beyond its in-ring component. As a result, the feud has fallen a little flat.
Tonight seems like the apt time to draw a line under this program—so hopefully both men throw everything they have at this encounter.
Jones' Prediction: Kalisto
Odds-on favourite to win: Kalisto
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
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Fresh off a successful debut at WrestleMania 32, it would seem that Baron Corbin is the likely winner of his match against Dolph Ziggler later tonight.
However, that would ignore the fact that most NXT graduates pick up a few early losses during their transition to the main roster. Compared to other recent call-ups such as Sami Zayn and Apollo Crews, Corbin has a distinct lack of experience—so he's likely to work his way up the card gradually.
It wouldn't be surprising at all for Corbin's feud with Dolph Ziggler to last longer than a month. A sneaky win by The Showoff at tonight's pay-per-view would be one way of keeping fans engaged as the rivalry continues.
If Corbin is really going to head straight for the top, then you can see him getting a win tonight to start that process. However, a slower climb seems to be the more likely option.
Jones' Prediction: Dolph Ziggler
Odds-on favourite to win: Dolph Ziggler
Cesaro vs. The Miz
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After several months of inactivity due to injury, Cesaro made a well-received return on this year's Raw after WrestleMania and quickly settled into a feud with The Miz.
The current champion is so detested that Cesaro will surely have the support of most in attendance tonight. However, the odds don't seem to be on the Swiss Superman's side.
Miz has only held the title for a few weeks, ending Zack Ryder's reign after just one day. Moreover, his wife, Maryse, has just made her return to WWE television after a five-year absence—and the partnership is working out very well.
In short, The Miz is an ideal midcard champion for fans to rally against. Cesaro certainly has the support of the people, but there's a greater advantage to Miz holding the gold at this point in time.
Jones' Prediction: The Miz
Odds-on favourite to win: The Miz
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. The Vaudevillains
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Two tag teams familiar to NXT viewers will be making their WWE pay-per-view debuts this evening. Both The Vaudevillains and Enzo and Cass have been impressive during their first few weeks on the main roster, but this is a significant test of their abilities.
This contest will decide the next team to challenge The New Day for the WWE Tag Team Championships. The popularity of Enzo and Cass might seem to give them the advantage, but it's really not that easy to decide a winner.
Amore and Cassady have arguably already got the crowd behind them. It's going to be more difficult for The Vaudevillains to gain a foothold on the main roster.
Fans will almost certainly continue to support Enzo and Cass whether they win or lose tonight. However, The Vaudevillains would benefit much more from the win and the resulting title shot—even if they need to resort to extreme measures to get the victory.
Going into tonight's show, this is perhaps the most difficult outcome to predict on the entire card.
Jones' Prediction: Enzo and Cass
Odds-on favourite to win: The Vaudevillains
Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho
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Hot off the heels of a major win over AJ Styles at WrestleMania, the in-form Chris Jericho will face Dean Ambrose at Payback.
Given that Jericho is a bona fide legend, there's little benefit to him beating the Lunatic Fringe tonight. On the other hand, Ambrose is in need of a win after his WrestleMania program with Brock Lesnar left him lacking momentum.
Compared to certain matches on the card, this contest feels like a foregone conclusion. Ambrose is in need of some wins and some character rehab, and it seems that Jericho was simply the right man for the job.
Jones' Prediction: Dean Ambrose
Odds-on favourite to win: Dean Ambrose
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
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Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have battled across the independent scene, through NXT and even on the grand stage of WrestleMania. Tonight, we'll see their first singles encounter on a WWE pay-per-view.
This is a program that could easily continue through the summer, and as such, it's rather difficult to predict the outcome of this first match.
There are so many ways the feud could play out—and that's assuming we will indeed see this rivalry stretch across several matches in the immediate future.
However, looking at the pair's previous form might offer a few clues toward the outcome; Zayn has always been able to shrug off losses thanks to his ultimate underdog persona, whereas Owens needs to win consistently to maintain his edge.
Jones' Prediction: No-contest
Odds-on favourite to win: Kevin Owens
Natalya vs. Charlotte
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Tonight's WWE Women's Championship match is a rematch from Roadblock this past March—and the very first NXT Takeover event in May 2014.
Natalya and Charlotte are both exemplary athletes, and the presence of Ric Flair and Bret Hart at ringside will only contribute to a big-fight feel in Illinois later on tonight. However, Charlotte seems to be the likely winner by some margin.
When the current champion's lengthy reign finally comes to an end, it will be at the hands of another NXT standout such as Becky Lynch or Sasha Banks. Natalya is an asset to the division—but she's not the sort of competitor that said division is going to be built around.
Jones' Prediction: Charlotte
Odds-on favourite to win: Charlotte
AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns
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In his first televised title defence since winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Triple H at WrestleMania, Roman Reigns defends his gold against AJ Styles.
However, there's more to this main event than just champion and challenger; over the last few weeks, we've been given plenty of evidence that Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are set to get involved on behalf of Styles.
Whether the former Bullet Club members are aligned with The Phenomenal One or someone else is still up in the air. However, there should be little doubt that Anderson and Gallows are poised to have a decisive influence over the way this bout plays out.
All this being said, can we really expect to see Reigns drop the title after just a few weeks as champion? It's clear that WrestleMania 32 was meant to be the culmination of a long journey for The Big Dog, and as such, we should expect to see him with the strap around his waist for the foreseeable future.
Jones' Prediction: Roman Reigns
Odds-on favourite to win: Roman Reigns
What are your predictions ahead of WWE Payback 2016? Make your voice heard in the comments section below.
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