WWE Payback 2017: Ranking the Top Moments in PPV History

Of the four editions of WWE Payback to have aired so far, there have been a number of memorable moments for fans to enjoy.

Traditionally a show still reeling from the carnage of WrestleMania each and every year, this year's show, a Raw-exclusive pay-per-view, will be the first to be held after Mania 33.

That means there are bound to be plenty of unpredictable exchanges this year and more moments that will rank among the best in the pay-per-view's short history.

But for now, here's a glimpse at the standout moments in Payback's history thus far.

CM Punk Returns (2013)

In the aftermath of WWE WrestleMania 29, CM Punk's absence from TV was all too noticeable.

He had just suffered defeat to The Undertaker at the biggest show of the year and picked up a knee injury that ruled him out for a period, but through the mouth of Paul Heyman, Punk had been booked into a feud with Chris Jericho, which was scheduled to be settled with a fight at Payback.

By this point, Punk was still massively over with WWE, even if in hindsight he was only a few short months away from exiting the company at the start of the following year.

Punk's return was booked for Payback, coincidentally in his hometown of Chicago. To say he got a thunderous reaction would be an understatement.

The crowd went crazy for him in Chi-Town, and the bout was a really good one before Punk just about managed to get over the line.

The entrance, the crowd and the bout itself all combined to create a really memorable Payback moment.

The Shield's Last Stand (2014)

The Shield's face turn shortly after WrestleMania XXX was one of the best parts of 2014. It was a long overdue turn from the trio, who had become obscenely popular with WWE fans.

So when they turned on Evolution to set up a feud which went into Payback, fans were right to be excited. In hindsight, though, it is even more memorable because it was the last time they all stood together as The Shield.

The bout itself between the two factions was magnificent, and the result, seeing The Shield win in a clean sweep by eliminating all three members of Evolution, swerved fans even more for what would happen next.

In the closing stages of Raw less than 24 hours later, Triple H declared that "there was always a Plan B." Cue Seth Rollins causing carnage by laying waste to Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose before joining forces with Triple H, forming The Authority in the process.

Fans will look back to the night The Shield ended as the most memorable part of their split, but their last dance together 24 hours earlier was just as fantastic—and just as noteworthy.

A Shield Reunion? (2015)

Almost 12 months on since they spectacularly combusted on Raw, The Shield briefly came back together in a hugely memorable moment at Payback 2015.

Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins were competing alongside Randy Orton to try to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and the trio quickly saw an opportunity to take Orton out of the picture.

The old gang got back together, for a few minutes at least, as Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins sent Orton hurtling through an announce table.

It looked like the band was back together, or so Rollins thought. Quickly, Ambrose and Reigns turned on Seth, just as it looked like The Shield were going to get together for a second run.

It was really well worked by WWE, and it certainly fooled plenty of fans. Who knows, perhaps one day it will happen for real.