Jeez, it's already time for another WWE PPV? Feels like we just had one three weeks ago. Oh wait..... And evidently we'll have ANOTHER of these "special events" in two weeks when Elimination Chamber returns. Both of these events are free this month on WWE Network, cuz Vinny Mac wants to hook ya!
Preshow Match: Macho Mandow/Curtis Axel vs. The Ascension
Well they've made perennial midcarders Damien Sandow and Curtis Axel a MegaPowers ripoff of sorts, but this is the most over Axel's ever been, and Sandow can seemingly make any comedy gimmick work. Too bad they don't care to make Sandow actually relevant. Speaking of non-relevance, The Ascension is still around.
Dan's pick: What is the point of the Ascension? I heard nothing but glowing reviews
from their time in NXT and nothing they've done has impressed me. Sure
they're being booked as doormats, but they don't wrestle too well when
they're given time anyway. Stiffs. Damien FTW.
King Barrett vs. Neville
This was a solid match last month and will be again at Payback. I'm pleasantly surprised how much action Neville's seeing. I was afraid he'd go the way of so many other Cruiserweight-types in WWE but he's been booked as an immediate I-C Title contender and has held his own against multiple uppercard guys. What with Daniel Bryan having to vacate the belt (Goddammit, why can't that guy catch a break???), Neville and Barrett will both undoubtedly be involved in the Chamber match on May 31st, to determine a new Champ. So both guys need to be protected here.
Dan's pick: The King was just crowned. Gotta let him win. Also, I should retroactively get points for predicting Daniel Bryan was gonna vacate that IC title. (JB: You actually predicted Barrett would win due to Bryan dropping the Title. Neither of those things happened at Extreme Rules, so you get nothing. Beat it! Scram!)
Bella Twins vs. Naomi & Tamina
(**Not Yet Announced**)
I like the pairing of Naomi and Jimmy Snuka's kid. Both are fine athletes who can be dominant over the skinnier ladies. This should be fine if given ten minutes or so.(**Not Yet Announced**)
Dan's pick: Bellas
Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler
Their Extreme Rules match was short but solid. Ziggler won in an upset but spent much of the bout getting his arse kicked. Hopefully this'll get more time than their first match.
Dan's pick: Sheamus just got back, he needs a win after already losing in the previous PPV
WWE Tag Team Title 2/3 Falls Match: The New Day vs. Cesaro/Kidd
I love this idea. These two teams stole the show last month, and given the 2/3 Falls format they should have no trouble doing so again. The New Day have become one of my favorite acts since their heel turn. I love douchebag heels that manage to repeatedly escape comeuppance. If the company sticks with this feud and creates a few more teams we could see another resurgence in the tag division.
Dan's pick: I also enjoy this iteration of the New Day much better than whatever lame-o happy fellows they were playing before. They'll retain.
Bray Wyatt vs. Ryback
This is an intriguing pairing. Nice to see Wyatt finally feuding with a full-time roster member again. Christ, it's been what, five months since his feud with Ambrose ended? This should be a nice opportunity for Ryback to prove that he's growing as an in-ring performer as well. Could be a sleeper hit of a match. 
Dan's pick: Bray. His character is getting stale though. He comes on TV and says a Buncha creepy shit each week and then...nothing really. He has had no real motivations in any of his feuds.
US Title 'I Quit' Match: John Cena vs. Rusev
For the fourth consecutive month Cena and Rusev are fighting. This feud should've been over at Extreme Rules, and now they've painted themselves into a corner where Rusev really shouldn't be losing three in a row, but he probably will. John Cena's just begun to revitalize the US Title and I love the weekly Open Challenges. They ensure a solid RAW match every week and help elevate someone new. I'm not sure where Rusev goes from here, but WWE is clearly positioning Lana to turn babyface and become a major ambassador-type character for mainstream audiences.
Dan's pick: I have no idea why they're gonna let Rusev lose again after building him up brilliantly for a year but hey...Cena's got shirts to sell.
WWE Title Fatal 4-Way Match: Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose
This should be a highly entertaining clusterfuck of a match. For the first time all three former Shield members will be competing for the WWE Title at the same time. There's rumors flying that The Shield will reunite and turn against Orton but I don't see that happening at all. It would make no sense. Though The Authority faction desperately needs some young secondary stars to become Rollins' enforcers. I'd suggest Sheamus and Barrett myself.
Dan's pick: Rollins and his AWESOME entrance music will take it down.
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