WWE Payback 2016 Results: Power Ranking Every Match at PPV
On Sunday night, the WWE Universe descended upon Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, for Payback 2016, and fans certainly got their money's worth.
We saw bouts with championship implications as well as grudge matches—and the ongoing issue of control over Monday Night Raw was finally addressed by Mr. McMahon.
In keeping with WWE's stance since WrestleMania, the focus was on great wrestlers doing what they do best. In terms of pure in-ring competition, this was an exemplary pay-per-view, with only a couple of matches that couldn't keep up with the high standard set by others on the card.
Here are complete power rankings for every match on last night's show.
8. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. The Vaudevillains
1 of 8
This promising tag team encounter is placed last in the pay-per-view power rankings for reasons obvious to anyone who watched the show. Early on in the bout, Enzo Amore connected awkwardly with the ropes and suffered a nasty concussion, causing the bout to be thrown out.
Happily, it was announced before the end of last night's show that tests at a local hospital had come back negative. We'll perhaps learn more about Amore's condition on tonight's edition of Monday Night Raw.
After a major scare for Amore's legion of fans—not to mention his visibly shaken tag partner, Colin Cassady—the biggest takeaway from this match is relief that Amore was not injured as badly as he could have been. However, it will be interesting to see who is named the No. 1 contenders to The New Day's tag team championships.
Given that Amore will likely be taking some time off from in-ring competition, you would have to think that The Vaudevillains will be announced as the challengers for the titles at Extreme Rules. However, there could always be a twist in the tale.
Result: No Contest
7. Natalya vs. Charlotte
2 of 8
There was plenty of talk of a "new era" last night, but unfortunately, this women's match suffered from being caught up in the past.
The presence of Bret Hart and Ric Flair at ringside was unnecessary, but not altogether unwelcome—the pair added some zest to the 2014 encounter between Charlotte and Natalya at the inaugural NXT Takeover event.
However, it's the way that the match finished that left a sour taste in the mouths of fans. For reasons currently unexplained, referee Charles Robinson called for the bell to be rung in a forced reference to the Montreal Screwjob.
The Screwjob is a defining moment in pro wrestling history, but bringing it up last night only served to detract from a title defence that should have been better than it was.
WWE has put a great deal of effort into rehabbing its presentation of women's wrestling, so to see a pay-per-view championship match devolve into a tribute to an event from almost 20 years ago is disappointing—not to mention rather confusing. Hopefully the follow-up to this storyline will be worthwhile.
Result: Charlotte retains.
6. Cesaro vs. The Miz
3 of 8
There was nothing wrong with last night's Intercontinental Championship match, but it never quite found the pace it needed to stand out on an entertaining card.
Anyone familiar with The Miz and Cesaro would have been able to predict the run of competition; Cesaro was on offence for much of the match, only to fall victim to a sneaky manoeuvre pulled off by the champion after a distraction.
Seeing Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens continue their battle from earlier in the night added some interest to proceedings toward the end of the contest. KO was on commentary throughout and did a tremendous job.
However, it could certainly be argued that Zayn and Owens outshone the two men in the ring. Given the quality of their match earlier in the night, that's no great surprise, but it does seem counterintuitive considering the Intercontinental Championship was in the mix.
Result: The Miz retains.
5. Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
4 of 8
Despite getting bumped to the pre-show, this entertaining match between Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler undoubtedly exceeded the expectations of many fans.
Corbin is doing a good job of transitioning from NXT to the main roster, and Ziggler is an ideal opponent to help him acclimatize. Moreover, it's good for The Lone Wolf to have picked up his first loss in a WWE ring, especially in the fashion that it came to him at Payback.
Ziggler, settling into his role as the veteran, managed to steal one with a roll-up after Corbin got cocky. This sort of storytelling will help flesh Corbin out, which is crucial since his one-dimensional character could end up being his downfall.
Nevertheless, there was some good action between the ropes here. It seems likely the feud will continue at least a little while longer, which can only be a good thing for Corbin's continuing development.
Result: Ziggler wins.
4. Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho
5 of 8
The revitalized Chris Jericho continued a good run of form last night with an above-average encounter with Dean Ambrose.
While this feud has largely revolved around talk show segments, both men brought their best when they met in the ring. This is exactly what the doctor ordered for Ambrose, who didn't gain anything from his WrestleMania match against Brock Lesnar.
The Lunatic Fringe made sure to engage in some brawling on the outside, but this contest was at its best inside the squared circle. Both men had plenty of answers for their opponent's regular offence, with some real chemistry on display in parts.
There's enough to this rivalry in terms of match quality that it could easily stretch out to Extreme Rules and beyond. However, given the conclusive nature of the finish, it's perhaps best to draw a line underneath this one before it grows stale.
Result: Ambrose wins.
3. Ryback vs. Kalisto
6 of 8
This pre-show encounter for the United States Championship may have started slowly, but an electric closing sequence cemented the bout as one of the best on the card.
Kalisto and Ryback put on an engaging match at WrestleMania, but this effort was even better. Both men were clearly attempting to stretch beyond their comfort zones, and the results were positive.
However, things almost took a turn for the worse when an outside dive from Kalisto fell short of its target. Fortunately, Ryback had the presence of mind to adjust his position and the exchange came off as planned.
Awkward instances like that one couldn't tarnish the match as a whole, though—especially given the pace both men built up toward the end. After an intense period littered with near-falls, Kalisto finally managed to hit Salida del Sol and retain his title.
This feud has produced some of the best matches of Ryback's career, and it should distinguish Kalisto as one of the most promising young stars on the roster. But now it's time for both men to seek other competition.
Result: Kalisto retains.
2. AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns
7 of 8
Whatever you think of the result, it's difficult to deny that last night's main event was an excellent WWE World Heavyweight Championship match.
AJ Styles looked like a star even in defeat, and Roman Reigns can look back upon his first successful title defence as a great match.
The bout did rely on some tired storytelling—the two resets from Stephanie and Shane McMahon did add to the excitement but also took the focus away from the competitors in the ring. In the end, the match could have certainly done without their involvement.
The much-hyped interference from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson unfortunately fell flat. This duo could have been built up as a genuine threat to anyone they chose to target. Instead, they were dealt with rather handily by Reigns and The Usos.
Ultimately, it was a hugely enjoyable main event with a few imperfections. Those few blemishes aside, most would be happy if this sets the standard for main events in the Reigns era.
Result: Reigns retains.
1. Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
8 of 8
Faced with the unenviable task of reigniting the crowd after Enzo Amore's injury, you might have forgiven Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens for looking shaken as their match began last night.
However, the pair of independent scene veterans displayed their resolve, delivering the best match of the night. Few would have expected less from this pair of standouts, but any remaining doubters were silenced by a compelling contest.
Tight pacing, an engaged crowd and the well-honed chemistry Zayn and Owens share all came together last night. The match felt like the opening salvo in a program that could extend into the summer—and if it produces more action like this, here's hoping that's the case.
Zayn and Owens are the perfect pairing; Zayn can make Owens look even more brash and brutal, whereas Owens emphasizes Zayn's role as the ultimate underdog.
That's a solid foundation, but it's the history between the two that makes their encounters so special. The fact that both men are so familiar with one another allows them to gel incredibly well between the ropes, producing matches like this one—slickly executed, consistently inventive and completely engrossing to the viewer.
Result: Owens wins.
What was your favourite match from WWE Payback 2016? Let us know in the comments section below.
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