The Judgment Day had a phenomenal night at WWE Payback, showcasing their dominance and leaving with gold. Finn Balor and Damian Priest shocked Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to become the Undisputed tag team champions, while Rhea Ripley successfully defended her Women’s Heavyweight championship against Raquel Gonzalez. The faction feels stronger than ever, with Priest refraining from a Money in the Bank cash-in on Seth Rollins. However, the highlight of the night was Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus stealing the show with their captivating cage match in the opener, finally putting an end to their feud. Here are five key takeaways from Payback.
1. A Day to Remember: Finn Balor and Damian Priest, with assistance from NXT North American champion Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Rhea Ripley, emerged victorious in a Pittsburgh Street Fight against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, capturing the undisputed WWE tag team championships. Balor now joins the elite group of grand slam champions in WWE history.
2. Classic in a Cage: Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus delivered an exceptional steel cage match, showcasing their athleticism and putting their bodies on the line. The match built up suspense as both competitors attempted multiple escapes. Lynch eventually secured the win with an avalanche Manhandle Slam, bringing an end to their feud that began in April.
3. Back in Business: Seth Rollins proved his resilience as World Heavyweight champion, delivering a quality match against Shinsuke Nakamura despite his injured back. Nakamura strategically targeted Rollins’ weak spot throughout the match, but Rollins managed to prevail with a Pedigree and a Stomp to secure the victory. Nakamura’s attack after the match suggests that the feud between them will continue.
4. He is the Knight: LA Knight’s match against The Miz may not have been a technical masterpiece, but Knight achieved what he needed—a win and a show of respect from special guest referee John Cena. The tension between Knight and Cena added drama to the match, with Knight narrowly avoiding a collision with Cena. Knight’s next move remains uncertain, but he showcased potential for a future United States championship opportunity.
5. Chemistry Lesson: Real-life friends Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez delivered an intense match, showcasing their strength and resilience. Despite a lackluster finish, the match displayed Ripley’s strategy to target Gonzalez’s injured knee with a chop block and a Prism Lock. While the abrupt finish may lead to a rematch, Ripley emerged as the victor with a Riptide.
In other news, Cody Rhodes revealed on The Grayson Waller Effect that Jey Uso has joined the “Monday Night Raw” brand, marking the first time the Uso brothers have been split up by brand in WWE. It remains unclear if Rhodes will be moving to SmackDown as part of a trade. Overall, WWE Payback delivered a strong performance, earning a grade of B+ and leaving fans eagerly anticipating future matches and storylines.
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