Tonight’s WWE Payback 2023 premium live event is airing LIVE from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This is the first Payback PLE since 2020, where Roman Reigns’ ongoing title reign began.
The show begins with the Steel Cage Match. Becky Lynch came out first, followed by WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is seated ringside in the crowd for this match.
At one point, Trish was hanging from the top of the steel cage upside down, and got suplexed back down into the ring from the top.
Zoey Stark tried to help Trish and even entered the ring, but it wasn’t enough. Becky laid out Zoey with a Manhandle Slam and then delivered a Manhandle Slam on Trish from the top rope for the win.
Becky Lynch def. Trish Stratus in a Steel Cage Match
Trish slapped Zoey after the match and told her to get out of the ring, but Zoey closed the cage door.
Zoey then laid out Trish with her finishing move, the Z-360.
Trish got a bump on her forehead during this match:
WWE Legend John Cena came out next. Since he’s the Host of WWE Payback, he announced that he’s going to be the Special Guest Referee for LA Knight vs. The Miz match.
The Miz came out and expressed his displeasure to Cena, and gave Cena advice on how to be a good host (and also on how Cena shouldn’t do Barbie movies). All Cena understood was that he should be the Special Guest Referee.
LA Knight then came out and the match started. At one point, Knight had an argument with Cena and said he’d slap Cena’s head off.
Miz tried to use the ropes to pin LA, but Cena kicked Miz’s arm off the ropes. Miz tried to mock Cena with the 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but LA countered and hit his own series of moves, followed by the BFT (Blunt Force Trauma) for the win.
LA Knight def. The Miz (with John Cena as the Special Guest Referee)
Cena was waiting for LA on the stage and LA had some words for Cena. Cena removed his Referee T-Shirt and there was some tension between both men, but Cena offered a handshake and then raised LA’s hand to put him over.
Up next is the United States Championship match and it is sponsored by Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
After back & forth action, Austin Theory went for his finisher on Rey Mysterio, but Mysterio countered and pinned Theory to win.
Rey Mysterio (c) def. Austin Theory to retain the United States Championship
Becky Lynch was getting interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage, when NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton interrupted her.
Tiffany mentioned how she recently said in a promo that Becky is a former NXT Women’s Champion, but now apologized for not remembering that Becky never won that title.
Becky told Tiffany to worry about her upcoming title defense against Kiana James this Tuesday and said that she’ll see Tiffany soon.
Up next is the Street Fight for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. Kevin Owens took a crazy bump off the stands, a Swanton Bomb through a Table on Dominik Mysterio in the crowd.
JD McDonagh interfered during the match and so did Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, who speared Owens through the barricade at ringside.
Sami Zayn hit Finn Balor with a Helluva Kick and went for the cover, but Dirty Dom hit Sami with the Money In The Bank briefcase. Balor then pinned Zayn!
Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Mr. Money In The Bank Damian Priest) def. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens (c) to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Cody Rhodes appeared on The Grayson Waller Effect. Waller said he wants to hear Cody’s big announcement, as he has heard some rumors. Waller said he is ready to give Cody a rub.
The American Nightmare then revealed that he has used whatever backstage power he has to bring “Main Event” Jey Uso to the RAW roster. Jey Uso then came out.
Waller says Jey has accomplished absolutely nothing as a singles competitor and needs the Grayson Waller rub. Jey laid him out with a Superkick.
Up next is the Women’s World Championship match.
During the ending moments of the match, Dominik Mysterio interfered, but Raquel Rodriguez laid him out with a Powerslam. You can watch it below:
— @LuigiWrestling (@luigiwvideos2) September 3, 2023
Rhea Ripley took advantage of the distraction and hit Riptide to pick up the win.
Rhea Ripley (c) def. Raquel Rodriguez to retain the Women’s World Championship
John Cena interviewed new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & Damian Priest backstage.
Up next is the main event of the evening and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship between Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura. WWE Hall of Famer The Great Muta is seated ringside in the crowd for this match.
After back & forth action, Rollins hit the Stomp for the win.
Seth Rollins (c) def. Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
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