WWE Payback 2014 Kickoff Show
The WWE Payback 2014 Kickoff Show kicks off with Josh Mathews, Booker T, Kofi Kingston and Alex Riley at the expert panel. The foursome talk about some of tonight’s matches, including the lone Kickoff Show match, which features Hornswoggle vs. El Torito in a hair vs. mask match.
Mask vs. Hair
– El Torito vs. Hornswoggle
After some more discussion at the expert panel, we are brought to ringside, where Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler introduce us to the first match of the evening. El Torito, dressed as the Chicago Bulls mascot, makes his way to the ring with Los Matadores. Out next is Hornswoggle, who is accompanied by 3MB. There is a barber stool/setup at ringside in case Horny loses.
The bell rings and here we go. As soon as the action begins, the Chicago fans break out in a “we want tables” chant. Horny takes the early offensive lead in the match. The guys do a bunch of comedy spots early, with Los Matadores and 3MB cheering on their respective man at ringside.
There’s a spot where Torito goes for the pin on Horny and Horny kicks out so hard that Torito flies into referee Charles Robinson’s hands. Robinson then throws Torito back on top of Horny. This happens a few times until Torito gives up on the pin attempt.
Back up, Horny argues with the ref until he turns around right into a gore from Torito. An “Ole! Ole!” chant breaks out as the guys all brawl on the floor outside the ring. Torito crawls under the ring. Torito ends up coming out of the other end of the ring with a big pair of scissors, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake style.
Horny and Torito battle on the floor some more as their team members watch on. Back in the ring, both guys are down. 3MB and the Matadores get involved, with Torito hitting a big splash on one of the 3MB members on the floor. This all leads to all three 3MB members being on the floor as Torito does a big top-rope dive onto all of them.
After another big splash spot on the floor onto all of the big guys happens, a loud “this is awesome” chant breaks out. Torito hits the Bronco-Buster on Horny in the corner. Horny recovers, gets control of Torito and yanks his mask off. Torito has another mask on underneath it, however, and a pre-celebratory Horny suffers the consequences, as he turns around into a rollup from Torito. 1-2-3. Torito wins.
Winner: El Torito
After The Match: Horny Gets His Head Shaved
After the match, Horny is put into the barber chair outside the ring. Torito, with help from Los Matadores, cuts Horny’s hair. They get the trimmers out now and they are shaving Horny’s head bald. Horny, of course, is screaming and selling the entire time. The announcers, of course, are selling this like it’s the greatest thing ever. Finally, they break out the shaving cream and disposable razors and begin shaving him completely and totally bald.
Backstage: A New Match Is Revealed
We are told at the expert panel that The Rhodes Brothers vs. RybAxel is set for tonight’s show. We see a WWE.com exclusive video of what led to this match. Backstage, we see Goldust and Cody Rhodes talking.
Another New Match Set For Tonight
Back at the panel, yet another new match is revealed, as Booker T informs Kofi Kingston that he just received breaking news, which is that Kingston is scheduled to compete against Bo Dallas later tonight.
WWE Payback 2014 Pay-Per-View
A video package, which is actually even cooler than most PPV intro video packages, airs, highlighting everything that happened to lead into tonight’s WWE Payback pay-per-view, with the primary focus being on The Shield vs. Evolution No Holds Barred Elimination and Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena Last Man Standing matches.
WWE United States Championship
– Sheamus (c) vs. Cesaro
As soon as the video package concludes, Sheamus’ theme music hits and the WWE U.S. Champion makes his way to the ring. During his ring entrance, we head to ringside where Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler officially welcome us to the 2014 edition of WWE Payback. Highlights are shown to explain what led to tonight’s Sheamus vs. Cesaro match.
Out next, while Sheamus’ music is still playing, is Paul Heyman. He informs us that his name is Paul Heyman and that he is the advocate for Cesaro. The fans break out into a loud CM Punk chant. Heyman says he’s not here. He says Punk is at the United Center watching the Chicago Blackhawks play. The fans explode with cheers. He says he’s watching them get their streak broken, just like his client, Brock Lesnar, ended The Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania. He introduces “The King of Swing,” Cesaro. Cesaro’s theme music plays and the two make their way to the ring.
The bell rings and here we go with our first match of the evening. Sheamus gets the early offensive advantage over the challenger. Cesaro hits some big European uppercuts to turn the tide. Sheamus ends up being too much for “The King of Swing,” as the U.S. Champion is now taking over.
Sheamus hits his 10-forearms to the chest spot on the apron to Cesaro, but that wasn’t enough. He grabs Cesaro and blasts him with another 10 big clubbing blows to the chest. The action spills out to the floor, where Sheamus continues his dominance outside the ring.
After a bunch of near falls and high spots, including Cesaro swinging Sheamus 20 times, as soon as the swing was over, Cesaro walks right into a roll-up pin attempt by the U.S. attempt. 1-2-3, Sheamus retains.
Winner and STILL WWE United States Champion: Sheamus
Goldust & Cody Rhodes vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel
We see highlights of Goldust and Cody Rhodes talking backstage from the Payback Kickoff Show, where it was revealed that The Brotherhood would be competing tonight against RybAxel. Goldust and Rhodes make their way to the ring. Out next is the team of Ryback and Curtis Axel.
The bell rings and our second PPV match of the evening is now officially underway. Goldust and Axel start things off for their respective teams. Goldust takes the early offensive lead and then tags in his little brother. Rhodes comes in and picks up where Goldust left off, taking it to Axel in the center of the ring.
Axel fights back and tags in Ryback. Ryback takes control of Rhodes until Rhodes hits a dropkick that allows him to tag Goldust back into the match. The fans break out in “Goldberg” chants directed towards Ryback. Ryback is taking it to Goldust now and then tags Axel back in.
The heels continue to dominate as a random “let’s go Blackhawks” chant breaks out. The match continues with the heels dominating, with Goldust being stuck in the ring for a while as Ryback and Axel tag in and out, keeping fresh guys on the battered and beaten golden-one.
Rhodes finally makes the hot tag and is hitting any-and-everything that moves. The heels try and double-team Rhodes, but Goldust comes in to even the score. Rhodes hits Cross-Rhodes on Ryback for a close near fall that is broken up at the last second by Axel.
Rhodes clears Axel out of the ring and calls for the Disaster Kick. Rhodes leaps onto the ropes to go for the move, but jumps right into a Shellshock from Ryback. Ryback covers the younger Rhodes brother and pins him. 1-2-3. RybAxel wins.
Winners: Ryback & Curtis Axel
After The Match: The End Of The Brotherhood?
After the loss, Goldust goes over to console his little brother. Rhodes, disappointed, asks for a microphone. He is handed a mic and he says, “Brother, brother. You deserve a better tag-team partner than me.” He drops the mic and walks off as Goldust looks on confused.
Rusev (with Lana) vs. Big E.
Justin Roberts introduces “The Ravishing Russian” Lana. She makes her way out to the top of the stage. She cuts a typical Lana-type promo and then introduces Rusev. “The Bulgarian Brute” comes out and the two make their way to the ring. Out next, waving an American flag, is Big E.
The bell rings and our third official pay-per-view match of the evening is officially underway. Big E. tries taking it to the big man as soon as the bell rings, but Rusev walks through his punches and takes it to the Tampa native. Rusev dominates Big E. as the Chicago fans break out into a “U.S.A.” chant.
A very random “we want Ziggler” chant breaks out as Rusev goes for a big splash onto Big E. in the corner. Big E. ends up catching Rusev coming in and slams the big Bulgarian down to the mat. Rusev ends up sliding out to the floor in a daze. He only makes it to the apron, as Big E. dives into Rusev, spearing him through the ropes and onto the floor. Awesome spot and the crowd is alive now.
Back in the ring, Big E. goes for a pin, but Rusev kicks out. Rusev floors Big E. with an enormous kick to the face. Rusev fires up and looks at Lana. Lana tells him to “crush.” Rusev obliges, and locks Big E. into “The Accolade.” Big E. taps out.
Winner: Rusev
Backstage: Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella
Backstage, we see — but don’t hear — Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella talking to each other. We hear the fans erupt inside the arena with “Yes!” chants.
Kofi Kingston vs. Bo Dallas
After the quick backstage segment, Kofi Kingston’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Out next is Bo Dallas. This match was announced earlier tonight during the WWE Payback Kickoff Show.
“I am Bo Dallas,” begins the leader of the “Bo-Lieve” movement. Dallas tells the Chicago fans that their beloved Blackhawks are going to lose tonight, much like Kingston will.
The bell rings and here we go. Before the two even lock up, however, Kane’s fire pyro explodes, his music plays, and “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” makes his way to the ring. The bell rings again and Kane takes it to Kingston.
The action spills out to the floor where Kane continues his attack on Kingston. Back in the ring, Kane hits a big chokeslam on Kingston. We see Dallas on the floor avoiding any interaction with “The Big Red Machine.” Kane picks Kingston up and hits him with a Tombstone Piledriver.
Kane does his pose, the fire explodes on the ring posts and his music plays again. Kane leaves the ring as referees attend to Kingston. His music stops, Dallas re-enters the ring. He gets on the mic and tells Kingston not to worry. He says he’ll be back on his feet in no time and better than ever. All he has to do is “Bo-Lieve.” The fans chant “we Bo-Lieve.”
Winner: No Contest
WWE Intercontinental Championship
– Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Out next is the current I-C champ, Bad News Barrett. While making his way to the ring, he delivers tonight’s “Bad News,” which is that RVD won’t be winning the I-C title tonight, and that Barrett will be sending Van Dam on a permanent summer vacation.
The bell rings and our second championship match of the evening is now officially underway. The “RVD” fans immediately break out in Chi-Town as Van Dam takes it to the leader of “Bad News.” Now a dueling “RVD” and “Bad News Barrett” chant breaks out.
RVD and BNB end up on the floor, where Van Dam hits his big kick off the apron onto Barrett on the barricade. The fans break out into a big “ECW” chant after that. Back in the ring, Barrett starts taking over the offensive flow of the match.
Barrett goes for the Bad News Bull Hammer, but Van Dam counters with a scissor-sweep pin attempt for a near fall. Out on the floor, Barrett goes for the Bull Hammer again, but Van Dam moves and BNB blasts his elbow into the ring post.
Back in the ring, Van Dam plants Barrett with a big DDT for a close near fall. Van Dam goes for the split-legged moonsault, but Barrett gets the knees up. As soon as Van Dam stands up, he walks right into a Bad News Bull Hammer from Barrett. 1-2-3. Barrett wins and retains.
Winner and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Bad News Barrett
In-Ring Segment: Stephanie McMahon, Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella
After the I-C title match, Stephanie McMahon’s music hits and she makes her way to the ring. She orders Daniel Bryan to come out to the ring and give her his decision. Out comes the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, accompanied by his smokin’ hot wife, Brie Bella. The Chicago fans explode with “Yes!” chants.
As Bryan continues to talk, he is interupted by a very loud “CM Punk” chant. Before Bryan can continue, Steph chimes in and says, “See, these people want you to quit just like CM Punk did.” She orders him to do the right thing or she’s going to fire his wife.
Bryan talks trash to Steph, building up to a spot where Brie calls her a “bitch.” The fans chant “Yes!” over and over again.
Stephanie orders Bryan to hand the titles over. Bryan gets ready to do so, but Brie stands in front of him. Stephanie orders Brie to move. Brie says no. Stephanie goes to tell Brie she’s fired, but Brie instead gets in her face and tells Stephanie she quits. Then she bitch-slaps Stephanie in the face. Stephanie runs out of the ring and runs to the back as Bryan and Brie lead thousands of Chicago fans in a big “Yes!” chant. Stephanie, by the way, pissed herself after getting slapped — no lie. Her dress was soaked in the back as she ran to the backstage area.
Last Man Standing
– Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena
A video package airs highlighting the history of the Bray Wyatt and John Cena feud, and all that went down leading into tonight’s Last Man Standing match between these two. After the video package concludes, Justin Roberts quickly runs down the rules of a Last Man Standing match. Next, Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Family make their way to the ring. Out next, to a loud negative reaction, is John Cena.
Before the bell even rings, the WWE Tag-Team Champions, The Usos, make their way to the ring to even the odds and help Cena. The bell rings and now here we go with our Last Man Standing matchup.
Bray takes the early offensive lead in the match, as he’s taking it to Cena in what has been a one-sided beatdown thus far. Wyatt has blasted Cena a few times now, leaving him laying while the refereee does the attempted ten count, reaching as high as eight so far.
The dueling “let’s go Cena” and “Cena sucks” chants start up now as Wyatt continues to take it to the leader of the “Ce-Nation.”
Wyatt goes for a super-plex, but Cena headbutts his way out of it and drops Wyatt. Cena follows up with a huge top-rope leg-drop onto the leader of The Wyatt Family. Cena and Wyatt are both up now and Wyatt hits Cena with Sister Abigail out of nowhere. The ref gets close to the count of ten, but Cena makes it back up.
When Cena gets up, he grabs Wyatt and immediately blasts him with an Attitude Adjustment. The ref counts as both guys are down. Cena gets up and now the count is only on Wyatt. Wyatt does his back-bridge to stand up out of nowhere, and now all six guys (Rowan, Harper and The Usos included) are going at it inside and outside of the ring.
Cena gets distracted by some of the action on the floor, and winds up turning around right into multiple chair shots from Bray. Bray beats Cena with a chair so hard it knocks him out of the ring. The ref counts to Cena, but Cena makes it up by six. Cena now grabs the chair and now he is beating Wyatt with it. The ref does some counting towards Wyatt as well, but Wyatt also makes it back to his feet before the count of ten.
The leader of the “Ce-Nation” goes under the ring and grabs a table. He sets it up in the middle of the ring, but Wyatt is back up and he knocks Cena down. Wyatt ends up suplexing Cena through the table. The referee immediately begins his count. Cena ends up making it before the count.
Wyatt gets the ring steps and brings them into the ring. He stands atop them and leads the fans in a sing-along of “he’s got the whole world.” Cena gets hold of a chair and blasts Wyatt with it. He grabs the ring steps and blasts Wyatt with those as well.
A lot of Harper-Rowan and Uso involvement happens now, resulting in Harper hitting a superplex on Uso off the top-rope and through a table on the floor. This is followed by a huge “holy shit” chant from the fans in the All State Arena. Meanwhile, Cena and Wyatt brawl until Cena puts Wyatt through the timekeepers table at ringside. Another “holy shit” chant breaks out in Chicago. Now we have a loud “this is awesome” chant as everyone is down and out.
Cena and Wyatt battle up near the top of the ramp. Wyatt throws Cena into a bunch of production equiptment. Upon landing, a bunch of pyro and stuff goes off. Cena survives, however, and soon-after hoists Wyatt up for an Attitude Adjustment onto some equiptment. Cena throws a big box on top of Wyatt so he can’t move and then instructs the referee to count. The ref does. He reaches the count of ten. “Super-Cena” wins again.
Winner: John Cena
WWE Divas Championship
– Paige (c) vs. Alicia Fox
The “Meltdown Queen” Alicia Fox makes her way out to the ring. Out next is our WWE Divas Champion, Paige. It’s time for another championship match here at WWE Payback.
The bell rings and here we go. Fox takes control of the offense as soon as the match gets officially underway. Fox is controlling the Divas Champion with ease so far in this one. Fox remains in control, as Paige has yet to get in any offense at this point.
Paige finally gets in some offense, as Fox is now on the defensive. Paige applies her submission finisher and Fox is forced to tap out. Paige wins and retains the WWE Divas Championship.
Winner and STILL WWE Divas Champion: Paige
After The Match: Fox Freaks
After losing her shot at the WWE Divas Championship by submission, the Chicago fans jump all over Alicia Fox, chanting “you tapped out” at her. Fox ends up freaking out, but not as bad as usual. She screams from the apron and then runs and storms off to the backstage area.
No Holds Barred Elimination Match
– Evolution vs. The Shield
An extensive video package airs highlighting the history of the feud between Evolution and The Shield. Evolution’s theme music hits and Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista make their way to the ring. The Shield’s music hits and Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins make their way to the ring through the crowd.
The bell rings to make our No Holds Barred Elimination main event official, as all six-guys collide in the center of the ring. Different pairs of people split off on different spots of the arena. The battle is underway, folks!
When the smoke clears, and all of the outside-of-the-ring brawling concludes, we arrive in the ring, where Triple H and Roman Reigns end up as the legal men in this match. The heat from the crowd grows as the two stare each other down from opposite sides of the ring.
The two collide, and as you’d expect, Reigns is throwing “The Game” all over the ring. He gets full control over HHH and then tags in Ambrose. Ambrose picks up where Reigns left off, dominating Hunter in the middle of the ring.
A bunch of tags happen, with each guy on each team having their moments in the ring, but ultimately things spread out with different pairs of guys fighting each other all over the arena once again.
Evolution gets the better of The Shield members, as all three members of Evolution end up leaving Ambrose and Rollins laying as their turn their focus to Reigns, who is by himself. They end up hitting him with a huge triple-powerbomb through the announce table at ringside.
HHH, Batista and Orton use chairs to leave Ambrose and Rollins laying at the top of the ramp. All three guys head back to the ring, where they manhandle Reigns with ease due to the three-on-one advantage. They rip Reigns’ vest off and set up some ring steps in the ring, as well as grab a kendo stick.
They drape Reigns across the steps and Orton and Batista, each with a kendo stick, beat the hell out of Reigns’ back. Now HHH has one too, so three kendo sticks are in play, as all three members of Evolution beat away at a lone Roman Reigns. Meanwhile, we’re at a quarter-til-11pm and no one has been eliminated thus far in this No Holds Barred Elimination match.
Out of nowhere, Reigns hits a big Superman punch on Orton, but Batista and HHH quickly jump on him and beat him back down with their kendo sticks.
Back up at the top of the ramp, Orton hits his draping-DDT spot on Ambrose off part of the Payback stage setup. All three guys are there now, with steel chairs and kendo sticks, beating away at Ambrose. All of a sudden, the camera pans up, and Rollins is way above the ramp, hanging off part of the high-portion of the Payback setup. He leaps off and splashes onto all three members of Evolution in an awesome high-spot. Everyone is down and out now.
Rollins goes back to the ring, as does Batista. Rollins goes to the top rope but when he comes off, Batista catches him with a big spear. Batista goes for a Batiata-bomb, but Reigns spears him out of nowhere. Rollins covers him and 1-2-3. Batista is eliminated. The fans, knowing that this was likely Batista’s PPV swan-snog for now, sings “na-na-na-na, hey-hey-hey, goodbye” at him.
Shortly after, Ambrose hits his finisher on Orton. He pins him and also scores the 1-2-3. Orton is eliminated. HHH is now left by himself to try and fight off all three members of The Shield by himself.
As soon as Orton is eliminated, HHH low-blows Rollins. Reigns hits him with a Superman punch, but is quickly speared afterwards by Batista. Orton, before he leaves, does his part as well, as he slides a sledgehammer into Hunter.
Ambrose charges at HHH, but “The Game” catches him coming in with a sledgehammer-shot. Rollins ends up catching HHH off the top with a big knee, which stuns HHH long enough for him to turn around right into a spear from Reigns. 1-2-3. HHH is eliminated. The Shield wins. The show goes off the air with The Shield standing tall, doing their joint-fist-bump thingy.
Winners: The Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins all survive.)
