WWE Payback 2017: Preview and predictions
Previewing and predicting the 2017 WWE Payback pay-per-view.
On Sunday night, the WWE Payback pay-per-view will take place. It’s the first big show since WrestleMania 33, and it’s advertised as a RAW-exclusive event. However, two matches with SmackDown Live Superstars will be featured.
Four championships will be on the line at Payback, none of which are World titles. Universal Champion Brock Lesnar won’t compete at the show, and Randy Orton’s WWE Championship is also absent from his match with Bray Wyatt.
Aside from this, the action should be entertaining at Payback. Of course, someone has to walk out a winner in each match, so let’s take a look at who may succeed on Sunday.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries
For the second consecutive WWE pay-per-view, Austin Aries and Neville will battle for the Cruiserweight Championship. They’ve been feuding for around two months, having started when Aries became the No. 1 Contender for this belt at WrestleMania 33. He didn’t walk out successful, though.
Since this match, things have changed at the top of the Cruiserweight division. TJ Perkins, who had once been the Face of the Cruiserweights, turned heel. He did so after Neville got into his head, setting up their alliance on 205 Live.
The ideal time for Aries to win the title would have been at WrestleMania, but it should come three weeks later at Payback. Despite Neville’s work with the belt, it’s time to freshen things up in the division, giving the championship to the most over babyface since 205 Live began.
What helps is there’s a ready-made program with Perkins. They can take their tensions through the spring, possibly going to battle at one or two WWE PPVs. It won’t be before Neville gets his rematch, though, which could expand this rivalry another month.