If SummerSlam was the main course, then consider Payback to be the dessert or a nightcap. With only a week’s build, this show didn’t really have much right to be any good at all. And while it certainly didn’t have the grandeur of a Big Four show, it was still pretty good. This was almost like a soft reboot, calming things down a little, resetting the landscape as we build towards Survivor Series and the final quarter of a strange year.

None of the matches was overly long, so there was never any danger of outstaying their welcome. Plus, there were only three Championship matches and some notable big names missing. That said, there’s still more than enough here to enjoy, so let’s take a look at the matches.

Kick-off: The Riott Squad defeated the IIconics via Riott Kick

They may have only recently reunited, but there was tension between the Riott Squad early on when Ruby tagged herself into the match. The IIconics took advantage, double-teaming Ruby on the outside, they then used frequent tags to keep themselves fresh while wearing down Ruby. Whenever Ruby was covered, Liv didn’t seem to be in a rush to get involved and break the pin attempt.

When Ruby needed to make a tag, Liv was knocked off the apron and the IIconics tried to convince her that Ruby had turned on her. Liv, eventually, made the tag but looked conflicted as she did so. Morgan botched a move when she slipped on the second rope (that’s live TV for you). After saving Ruby from a Deja Vu, the Riott Squad got back on the same page and picked up the win following a double team Riott Kick.

This was what you would expect from a pre-show match. The villains made the most of their early advantage and tried to play off Morgan and Riott against each other, that did have me second-guessing this match for a moment, but it did get back on track. I’m not sure how much this would have warmed up the crowd – under normal circumstances – as we’ve seen these foud work together on RAW quite a lot lately.

Bobby Lashley defeated Apollo Crews via submission to become the NEW United States Champion

This was a story of Power vs Speed. The big, bad Bobby Lashley does everything with purpose, and it almost all looks like it hurts. While Apollo Crews relied on his wits and speed to try and avoid the big power moves and catch Lashley unaware. Lashley used the environment his advantage, smashing Crews into the ring post and ringside barrier. Lashley maximised the use of the ten-count to avoid an unnecessary loss.

The assault continued back in the ring, while MVP and Shelton Benjamin cheered on their man from ringside. A Dominator only earnt Lashley a frustrating two-count. Crews avoided the Spear and got a bit of a breather after landing a cross-body. Lashley blocked a Toss Powerbomb, but walked into a Spinebuster, followed by a standing moonsault. Crews grounded Lashley with a couple of German Suplexes, but the subsequent Frog Splash only resulted in a two-count. The ending of this match was much like the last time these two met. Bobby locked in the Full-Lashley and Apollo tapped out.

With only three Championship matches on this show, it made sense for the first match of the actual show to result in a title change. This was an enjoyable back and forth match that could have realistically gone either way at any point. While Apollo did his best to avoid the Full-Lashley, if Bobby could lock that in, the ending would always be academic, and now the Hurt Business have something to celebrate.

A picture is worth a thousand words. #AndNew #THB #WWEPayback @fightbobby @Sheltyb803 @The305MVP pic.twitter.com/T3ogHg7Sex

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 30, 2020

Big E defeated Sheamus via Big Ending

With two of the bigger men on the SmackDown roster involved, this was always going to be a hard-hitting, rough and tumble affair. After exchanging waist-locks and big fists, Sheamus took advantage after Big E missed a Splash onto the ring apron. From then on, Sheamus targeted the injured left knee of Big E at every opportunity. An Irish Curse Backbreaker only got Sheamus a two-count, but stayed on the attack, going for a Half Crab to further exploit Big E’s left knee.

Big E got some momentum back in his favour using a belly-to-belly throw and a Uranage. Big E foolishly took time to taunt, and it allowed Sheamus to land an Alabama Slam for another two-count. Big E was kept grounded, his knee targeted in a modified Sharpshooter. Big E had to fight his way out of a Heel Hook and then kicked out of a Bicycle Knee Strike. Big E evaded a Brogue Kick, into a powerbomb, followed by a Big Ending for the three-count.

I don’t think anyone who’s only watched WWE for a couple of years would believe you if they were told that Sheamus is a former multiple-time World Champion because these days he’s used as a middle-of-the-road act. That said, I never saw this match going any other way. How far Big E can go as a solo act remains to be seen, but it can’t hurt him to get a PPV singles victory.

Matt Riddle defeated King Corbin via Floating Bro

Ahead of the match officially starting, Corbin attacked Riddle while the Original Bro was still kicking off off his flip-flops. Corbin used his size advantage to get ahead in the match, but Riddle was able to ground the bigger man with a Sleeper Hold. While this seemed to slow the King down a little, his strikes still seemed to have some devastating power behind them. A chicken wing followed by a side-slam scored Corbin a two-count. For some reason, Corbin decided to taunt the screens that were there in place of a live crowd, but Riddle didn’t make enough of this advantage.

The tide started to turn in the favour of the Original Bro when Riddle managed to kick Corbin in the head. A Broton and a Running Knee earned Riddle a two-count. Back to their feet, both men exchanged forearms and strikes. Corbin landed a Deep Six for a two-count. The King was then getting very frustrated and turned his attention to some old fashioned ground and pound. Riddle fought back with a Bro-To-Sleep, followed by a Floating Bro for the victory.

The future looks bright for Riddle on the main roster. His on-screen character is certainly Marmite – you either love him or you hate him, but those backstage must love him. He’s not going anywhere, but this feud with Corbin and the King’s ransom is far from over.

Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defeated Sasha Banks & Bayley to become the NEW Women’s Tag Team Champions

In the week since SummerSlam, it did look like Sasha and Bayley’s friendship was hanging by a thread (although it has been looking that way for months), yet they still seemed to get on better than their challengers: the thrown together team of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. The Golden Role Models benefited from an extended time tagging together, working together to ground Nia Jax, while Baszler was the frustrated observer on the apron. That said, when Jax could get in the offence, she hit hard.

A tandem of an Elbow Drop, from Bayley, and a Frog Splash from Banks wasn’t enough to end this match. Shayna made a bling tag and put Sasha into a Muta Lock while also locking Bayley in a Kirifuda Clutch. Sasha tried to fight out and help her ‘friend’ but Bayley tapped out.

WWE’s depth, when it comes to women tag teams, is paper-thin. It looks like time has run out on Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. The Riott Squad are barely back together, while the IIconics don’t seem to be a credible threat. For that reason, it had to be an odd-couple tag team that would dethrone Banks & Bayley. The sad part is, it could have been anybody. Shayna and Nia are the background scenery, as this is all about the impending break-up of the Golden Role Models.

Keith Lee defeated Randy Orton via Spirit Bomb

The Legend Killer demanded respect that the Limitless Keith Lee was unwilling to give. After our appetites were whetted on RAW, this was the all-out brawl between two powerhouses that we’ve been waiting for. Orton, the veteran, took his time to wear down the bigger man. The experience of Orton seemed to give him the edge until an RKO attempt was avoided. Keith Lee landed a Spirit Bomb for a surprising clean win.

Nine days is a long time in the world of Keith Lee. To lose the NXT Championship and then have his debut main roster PPV match. The new music and attire might leave a lot to be desired, but Lee’s performance certainly hasn’t diminished. While this loss won’t really harm Orton in the long run, I am stunned to see Keith Lee not only beat him clean but to also do it quite a short match, especially for a PPV match. Lee won in less than seven minutes.

Dominik & Rey Mysterio defeated Murphy & Seth Rollins via Frog Splash

The Mysterios jump-started the match, blindsiding Rollins and Murphy. Dominik continued to put on a very impressive performance for a newcomer. Still selling the idea that he only has one eye, Rey worked with an eyepatch, as well as his mask. To work at as high a standard as Rey can, with a limited field of vision, is nothing short of impressive. The way this feud has unfolded means that Murphy can get some valuable PPV time, just as much as Dominik can.

After being ground down for an extended period of time, Dominik made the hot tag to his father, but Rey missed the chance of a 619 on Rollins. Following a brief scuffle that involved all four men, Rey landed a Seated Senton, then Rollins landed a backbreaker, that slowed the match down. A kneeling Superkick on Rey only gained Rollins a two-count.

Rollins and Murphy worked together to drive both Mysterio’s into the ringside barricade. Rollins then took the time to taunt Rey and talk trash about the Mysterio family. A double team move went wrong when Murphy kicked Rollins in the head. Dominik could then land a 619 followed by a Frog Splash for his first victory in WWE.

This match served its purpose from the off with its intention to enhance Dominik. While Seth and Rey arguably carried the bulk of the match, Dominik and Murphy got plenty of chance to shine. The way of getting Rollins out of the closing segment was believable, while Murphy’s error cost them the win here. Personally, I have had my fill of this feud, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see WWE stretch it out until October where it can culminate inside Hell in a Cell.

Roman Reigns defeated Braun Strowman and The Fiend Bray Wyatt to become the NEW Universal Champion

Considering a Triple Threat match is traditionally a No DQ one anyway, the announcement that this was No Holds Barred seemed redundant.

Strowman jumped the Fiend during his entrance, the bell then rang for the match to start. The story was that Roman hadn’t officially signed the contract, so this match started one-on-one. Strowman and Wyatt each landed a finisher on the other for a two-count. Then outside the ring, Wyatt put Braun through the announce table. Alexa Bliss was shown watching on a screen backstage twirling her fingers through her Harley Quinn-Esque hair.

The Fiend’s comical mallet (remember that from Hell in a Cell last year) was brought into play. Wyatt swung it into the chest of Strowman, still outside the ring. Wyatt then floored Strowman with the ring steps and then continued to beat down the bigger man all the way up the ramp. Strowman avoided a Sister Abigail atop the stage, but he then drove both men off the stage and through a table.

Strowman dragged Wyatt back down to the ring (the only place a fall could happen). Strowman tried to climb the ropes but he never looked comfortable doing so and was a little slow. This allowed Wyatt to land a Superplex and the ring imploded, much like Big Show vs Brock Lesnar on SmackDown in 2002. At this point, Roman’s music started and he came out accompanied by Heyman and a steel chair. At that point, Roman finally signed the contract. He tried pinning both Wyatt and Strowman but they both kicked out.

A frustrated Roman attacked Strowman with a steel chair while Heyman smirked from the stage. The Fiend attempted a Mandible Claw on Roman but was kicked away. Both men fell out of the ring sue to the ropes being slack. Roman then landed a Spear on Strowman to win the Universal Championship.

This match made things crystal clear: Roman is back and he’s a bad guy. The way he was an opportunist who sat in the back while the other two men beat each other down and only then did he come out and pick up the scraps. That was a textbook heel. Dare I say, it was a little Lesnar-Esque. I’ve been craving this version of Roman for a long-time. Sadly, he just doesn’t work as a babyface, he was born to be a badass. I also dig the alliance with Heyman, it makes too much sense especially when Heyman managed the Wild Samoans back in the day and Roman’s rarely been the most comfortable on the mike. A Triple Threat was a smart booking decision here because Strowman took the pinfall, The Fiend can claim he never lost and that continues this feud a little longer.

This was a PPV of two halves. The first four matches could have arguably been more at home on RAW or SmackDown. All of the talking points came from the second half of the show, with The Golden Role Models being dethroned, Keith Lee defeating Randy Orton quickly, Dominik Mysterio’s first win and, of course, Roman Reigns turning heel. WWE have struggled a little in recent months to tell compelling stories, but I think Payback created planted the seeds and asked the questions to build intrigue for return viewership in the weeks ahead.

All pics and videos courtesy of WWE