Payback (2020)
| Payback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuring Roman Reigns | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown | ||
| Date | August 30, 2020 | ||
| City | Orlando, Florida | ||
| Venue | Amway Center | ||
| Attendance | 0 (behind closed doors)[Note 1] | ||
| WWE Network event chronology | |||
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| Payback chronology | |||
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Payback was a professional wrestling pay-per-view and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. It took place on August 30, 2020, and was broadcast from the WWE ThunderDome, hosted at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. It was the sixth event in the Payback chronology and the first to be held since the 2017 event.
The card comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Roman Reigns defeated "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman, who Reigns pinned, in a No Holds Barred Triple Threat match to win the Universal Championship. On the undercard, Dominik Mysterio and Rey Mysterio defeated Seth Rollins and Murphy, Keith Lee defeated Randy Orton, and Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defeated Bayley and Sasha Banks to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
Production
Background
Payback is a pay-per-view event that was established by WWE in 2013. The event ran annually from 2013–2017, with the 2017 event being the final event until it was brought back in 2020. The 2020 event was the sixth event in the Payback chronology and featured wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE had to present the majority of its programming for Raw and SmackDown from a behind closed doors set at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida beginning mid-March,[1] although in late May, the promotion began using Performance Center trainees to serve as the live audience,[2] which was further expanded to friends and family members of the wrestlers in mid-June.[3] On August 17, WWE announced that all future shows and pay-per-views would be held at Orlando's Amway Center for the "foreseeable future," beginning with the August 21 episode of SmackDown. Furthermore, the shows now feature a new fan viewing experience called the "ThunderDome," which utilizes drones, lasers, pyro, smoke, and projections. Approximately 1,000 LED boards were installed to allow fans to virtually attend the events for free and be seen on the rows and rows of LED boards. Arena audio is also mixed with that of the virtual fans so that chants from the fans can be heard.[4][5]
Storylines
The card comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The matches resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,[6][7] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.[8]
On the August 14 episode of SmackDown, it was revealed that Bayley and Sasha Banks would defend the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at Payback.[9] Their opponents were revealed on the August 24 episode of Raw; the team of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.[10]
At SummerSlam, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt defeated Braun Strowman to win the Universal Championship for the second time. Following the match, Roman Reigns made his return after a five-month hiatus and viciously attacked The Fiend and Strowman.[11] The following day, it was announced that The Fiend would defend the title against Strowman and Reigns in a no holds barred triple threat match at Payback.[10] On that Friday's SmackDown, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon assigned producer Adam Pearce to obtain signatures from the three competitors for their match by the end of the night. After obtaining Wyatt and Strowman's signatures, Pearce located Reigns, where it was revealed that he had aligned himself with Paul Heyman. Reigns affirmed he would be at Payback and win the match, however, he did not sign the contract.[12]
On the August 24 episode of Raw, after attacking WWE Champion Drew McIntyre with two Punts, Randy Orton, who lost to McIntyre at SummerSlam, wanted another rematch for the title, but he was interrupted by former NXT wrestler Keith Lee, making his Raw debut. On behalf of McIntyre, Lee challenged Orton to a match only for Orton to decline. However, the two fought each other later on, with Orton winning via disqualification after McIntyre attacked him. Orton later attacked McIntyre backstage with a third Punt, taking McIntyre out. A rematch between Lee and Orton was subsequently confirmed for Payback.[10]
At SummerSlam, Seth Rollins (who was accompanied by his disciple Murphy) defeated Dominik Mysterio (who was accompanied by his father Rey Mysterio) in a Street Fight.[11] The following night on Raw, Rey Mysterio and Dominik defeated Rollins and Murphy by disqualification when Retribution attacked the Mysterios.[10] A rematch between the two teams was scheduled for Payback.[13]
At SummerSlam, Apollo Crews defeated MVP to retain the United States Championship.[11] The following night on Raw, Crews was scheduled to defend the title against MVP's stablemate of The Hurt Business, Bobby Lashley, at Payback. Later on Raw, Crews and Lashley competed in an arm wrestling match. Crews won by stomping Lashley's foot.[10]
Event
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| English commentators | Michael Cole (SmackDown) |
| Corey Graves (SmackDown) | |
| Tom Phillips (Raw) | |
| Samoa Joe (Raw) | |
| Byron Saxton (Raw) | |
| Spanish commentator | Marcelo Rodriguez |
| Ring announcers | Greg Hamilton (SmackDown) |
| Mike Rome (Raw) | |
| Referees | Danilo Anfibio |
| Shawn Bennett | |
| Jessika Carr | |
| Dan Engler | |
| Darrick Moore | |
| Eddie Orengo | |
| Chad Patton | |
| Charles Robinson | |
| Interviewers | Charly Caruso |
| Kayla Braxton | |
| Alyse Ashton | |
| Pre-show panel | Charly Caruso |
| John "Bradshaw" Layfield | |
| Peter Rosenberg | |
| Booker T | |
| Jerry Lawler |
Pre-show
During the Payback Kickoff pre-show, The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) faced The IIconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay). In the end, Morgan performed the Jersey Codebreaker on Kay followed by Riott performing a Riott Kick on Kay to win the match.[14]
Preliminary matches
The actual pay-per-view opened with Apollo Crews defending the United States Championship against Bobby Lashley (accompanied by MVP and Shelton Benjamin). After a competitive match, Lashley forced Crews to tap out to the Full Lashley Lock to win the title for a second time. Following the match, Crews attacked Lashley and stated that he would win his title back.[15]
Next, Big E faced Sheamus. In the end, Big E performed the Big Ending on Sheamus to win the match.[15]
After that, Matt Riddle fought King Corbin. In the climax, Riddle performed the Floating Bro on Corbin to win the match. Following the match, an irate Corbin attacked Riddle during a backstage interview.[15]
In the next match, Bayley and Sasha Banks defended the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. In the closing moments, Baszler applied the Kirifuda Clutch on Bayley while simultaneously applying the death lock on Banks. As Banks attempted to poke the eyes of Baszler, Baszler used Banks' own arm to choke Bayley, who tapped out, to win the title. Following the match, an elated Jax and Baszler celebrated their victory in the ring while a disappointed Bayley and Banks sat at ringside.[15]
Next, Keith Lee faced Randy Orton. During the match, Orton would constantly taunt Lee by stating that Lee should respect him. Outside the ring, Lee threw Orton on the announce table. In the climax, as Orton attempted an RKO, Lee countered into a Spirit Bomb to win the match.[15]
In the penultimate match, father-and-son team, Rey and Dominik Mysterio faced Seth Rollins and Murphy. In the climax, as Rollins attempted a Powerbomb on Mysterio, Mysterio countered out of it, throwing Rollins back. Murphy (the legal partner) then accidentally kicked Rollins in the head, taking him out. Dominik then took advantage and performed a 619 and a splash on Murphy to win the match.[15]
Main event
In the main event, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns in a no holds barred triple threat match. The Fiend made his entrance first and after the lights illuminated, he was attacked by Strowman to start the match, despite Reigns having yet entered. This led to The Fiend and Strowman fighting each other. Strowman performed a Powerbomb on The Fiend for a near-fall. The Fiend then performed a Sister Abigail on Strowman for a near-fall. The Fiend then performed an uranage on Strowman through the announce table. The Fiend then obtained his Fiend-themed mallet, however, Strowman rose to his feet and attacked The Fiend. The Fiend then attacked Strowman with the mallet. The Fiend attacked Strowman with the steel steps, after which, both fought on the entrance ramp, where The Fiend threw Strowman into the LED screen atop the stage. As The Fiend attempted Sister Abigail on Strowman on the stage, Strowman countered and performed a spear on The Fiend, knocking The Fiend and himself off the stage. Strowman and The Fiend then fought back in the ring where Strowman attempted a splash on The Fiend. The Fiend, however, countered and performed a superplex off the top rope, causing the ring to implode. Roman Reigns (accompanied by Paul Heyman) then finally made his entrance wielding a chair and signed the match contract, officially entering him into the match. Reigns entered the ring and attempted to pin The Fiend and Strowman, however, both were near-falls. Reigns then attacked Strowman with multiple chair shots and attempted another pin, only to get another near-fall. As Reigns attempted to attack The Fiend with the chair, The Fiend rose to his feet and applied the Mandible Claw on Reigns, who performed a low blow on The Fiend, taking him out. Reigns then performed a Spear on Strowman and pinned him to regain the title for a second time.[15]
Aftermath
Raw
The following night on Raw, three singles matches were set up with the winners of each facing each other in a triple threat match that night to determine the number one contender against Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Clash of Champions. Randy Orton, Keith Lee, and Seth Rollins won their respective matches over Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, and Dominik Mysterio. Orton then won the ensuing triple threat match to secure another shot at McIntyre and the WWE Championship.[16]
Also on the following Raw, The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) faced The IIconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay) in a rematch, with the added stipulation that the winning team would earn a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship while the losing team would disband. The Riott Squad won the match and the title opportunity, while The IIconics had to disband as a team.[16] Their title match was later confirmed for Clash of Champions.[17]
SmackDown
On the following SmackDown, new Universal Champion and a now heel Roman Reigns along with Paul Heyman opened the show. Heyman explained their new partnership in which he said he was serving as the "special counsel" for Reigns (unlike his role of "advocate" for Brock Lesnar). He stated that it was Reigns who brought him back, because just as WWE had essentially all but forgot about Reigns during his hiatus, they had also done the same to Heyman following his own on-screen absence since WrestleMania 36 (albeit a brief appearance at Money in the Bank). He also criticized the fans for their lack of respect for Reigns and his work ethic despite his health issues. He also mocked the fact that Braun Strowman and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt were chosen to reign as Universal Champion during the past five months, and that neither deserved the title. Heyman also announced that Reigns' challenger for the title at Clash of Champions would be determined in a fatal four-way match that night. Big E, Matt Riddle, King Corbin, and Sheamus were set for the match, however, Big E was deemed unable to compete due to a backstage attack from Sheamus. Reigns' own cousin Jey Uso replaced Big E in the match and subsequently won.[18]
Bayley and Sasha Banks faced Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler in a rematch for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. During the match, Banks attempted to attack Baszler, who was teetering on the ring post, with a double knee maneuver, however, Baszler avoided Banks, who injured her left knee on the post. They ultimately lost the match after Jax performed a diving crossbody on Banks and Bayley and pinned both women to retain the title. After the match, medical personnel tended to Banks while a visibly horrified Bayley watched on. Bayley then feigned helping Banks to the backstage area, only to turn on Banks and viciously attack her, effectively disbanding the team.[18]
Results
| No. | Results | Stipulations | Times[14][15] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) defeated The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) | Tag team match[19] | 9:00 | ||
| 2 | Bobby Lashley (with MVP and Shelton Benjamin) defeated Apollo Crews (c) by submission | Singles match for the WWE United States Championship[20] | 9:30 | ||
| 3 | Big E defeated Sheamus | Singles match[21] | 12:20 | ||
| 4 | Matt Riddle defeated King Corbin | Singles match[22] | 10:55 | ||
| 5 | Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax defeated Bayley and Sasha Banks (c) by submission | Tag team match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship[23] | 10:20 | ||
| 6 | Keith Lee defeated Randy Orton | Singles match[24] | 6:40 | ||
| 7 | Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio defeated Seth Rollins and Murphy | Tag team match[25] | 15:58 | ||
| 8 | Roman Reigns (with Paul Heyman) defeated “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt (c) and Braun Strowman | No Holds Barred, Triple Threat match for the WWE Universal Championship[26] | 12:46 | ||
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Notes
- ^ The event was held without a paying audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, though it featured a live crowd of virtual fans via WWE's ThunderDome viewing experience.
References
- ^ Johnson, Mike (March 21, 2020). "WWE TAPING UPDATES". PWInsider. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ Casey, Connor (May 25, 2020). "WWE Fans Are Thrilled to See Crowds Back on WWE Raw". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ Oestriecher, Blake (June 17, 2020). "WWE Live Events With Fans Could Reportedly Return Very Soon". Forbes. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "WWE introducing new state-of-the-art viewing experience with WWE ThunderDome". WWE. August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 17, 2020). "WWE Announces ThunderDome Arena; Enhanced Fan Experience, Residency At Amway Center; First Look Video Shown". Fightful. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed. "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (May 25, 2016). "WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Powell, Jason (August 15, 2020). "8/14 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of the latest Retribution attacks, a Triple Brand Battle Royal for a shot at the Smackdown Women's Championship at SummerSlam, Big E vs. John Morrison, Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Powell, Jason (August 24, 2020). "8/24 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Keith Lee's debut, Drew McIntyre's opening segment, Apollo Crews vs. Bobby Lashley in an arm wrestling contest officiated by Mark Henry, SummerSlam fallout and WWE Payback hype". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
- ^ a b c Powell, Jason (August 23, 2020). "WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Braun Strowman vs. The Fiend for the WWE Universal Championship, Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville in a No DQ, loser leaves WWE match, Asuka challenges for two titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Powell, Jason (August 28, 2020). "8/28 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of the contract signing for "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman for the WWE Universal Championship at Payback, Big E on Miz TV". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
- ^ Toro, Carlos (August 28, 2020). "Dominik And Rey Mysterio Teaming Up For Tag Match At WWE Payback; Updated Card". Fightful. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (August 30, 2020). "WWE Payback Kickoff Show results: Powell's review of Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott vs. "The IIconics" Peyton Royce and Billie Kay". Pro Wreslting Dot Net. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Powell, Jason (August 30, 2020). "WWE Payback results: Powell's review of The Fiend vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in a Triple Threat for the WWE Universal Championship, Keith Lee vs. Randy Orton, Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Tag Titles, Matt Riddle vs. King Corbin". Pro Wreslting Dot Net. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (August 31, 2020). "8/31 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Dominik Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins, Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens, and Keith Lee vs. Dolph Ziggler become No. 1 contender to the WWE Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ Powell, Jason (September 14, 2020). "9/14 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Drew McIntyre vs. Keith Lee in a non-title match, Seth Rollins vs. Dominik Mysterio in a cage match, Asuka vs. Mickie James for the Raw Women's Championship, The Street Profits vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in a champions vs. champions match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (September 4, 2020). "9/4 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman addressing the fans, Matt Riddle vs. Sheamus vs. King Corbin vs. Jey Uso for a shot at the WWE Championship at Clash of Champions, Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley for the WWE Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "The Riott Squad def. The IIconics (Kickoff Match)". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "Bobby Lashley def. Apollo Crews to become the new United States Champion". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "Big E. def Sheamus". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "Matt Riddle def. King Corbin". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax def. Bayley & Sasha Banks to become the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "Keith Lee def. Randy Orton". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "Rey & Dominik Mysterio def. Seth Rollins & Murphy". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Garretson, Jordan (August 30, 2020). "Roman Reigns def. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and "The Monster" Braun Strowman to become the new Universal Champion". WWE. Retrieved August 30, 2020.