Bold WWE Payback 2023 Forecast: Jaw-Dropping Surprises Await!

WWE Payback is just a few hours away and offers an exciting lineup of championship matches. Fans can catch all the action on Peacock, an added perk for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. In comparison to SummerSlam, Payback may not have generated as much anticipation, considering SummerSlam's reputation as a major event equivalent to WrestleMania. At SummerSlam, fans witnessed the culmination of the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar, witnessed the downfall of The Bloodline as Jey Uso faced off against Tribal Chief and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, and much more.

Interestingly, fans might have assumed that Payback would not feature any Bloodline drama, but that changed after the September 1 episode of SmackDown. John Cena's return brought about numerous possibilities, but his first promo was abruptly interrupted by Jimmy Uso, who showcased new entrance music. The tension between the two is undeniable, especially as Jimmy lashed out and drew comparisons between Cena and Roman Reigns. It appears that Jimmy may be trying to fill the void left by Jey's departure, and with Cena hosting Payback, it is possible that the WWE Bloodline drama spills over into the event. It would be intriguing to witness the veteran Cena getting involved, potentially mentoring and preparing Jimmy, reminiscent of how Brock mentored Cody but with a more positive approach. In any case, it is safe to assume that Cena's role as a host could be more than just ceremonial.

WWE Payback 2023 Card

The anticipated face-off between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus at Payback is expected to finally put an end to their ongoing feud. Although Zoey Stark may have a role to play, the most fitting outcome, considering Stratus' iconic status, would be a definitive victory or defeat. When comparing the two, it appears more likely that Lynch will emerge triumphant. To put it simply, while Lynch has undeniably established herself in the world of WWE, securing a clean win over Trish Stratus in a Steel Cage match would be a remarkable achievement for anyone.

The LA Knight vs. The Miz rivalry is incredibly exciting, mainly due to the rising popularity of LA Knight. His promo battles with The Miz have been exceptional, propelling LA Knight forward. The demand for merchandise showcasing LA Knight's popularity is undeniable, and it wouldn't be unexpected to witness him featured on the cover of a WWE 2K game in the future. Defeating The Miz, who is known for his exceptional work in WWE, marks the beginning of a strong push that could potentially lead to more appearances for LA Knight, and perhaps even a shot at championship glory.

John Cena has been announced as the host for WWE Payback 2023*.

Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus in a Steel Cage Match

Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Austin Theory for the WWE United States Championship

Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez for the Women's World Championship

LA Knight vs. The Miz

Seth Rollins (c) collides with Shinsuke Nakamura for the coveted World Heavyweight Championship, with the added twist of a Money in the Bank cash-in opportunity.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (c) lock horns with The Judgment Day duo of Finn Balor and Damian Priest in an electrifying Steel City Street Fight for the undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.

Cody Rhodes to Appear on the Grayson Waller Effect*

Predictions in bold

Predictions in text form only.

John Cena hosting Payback invites drama and brings the superstar into the picture. Similarly, Cody Rhodes participating in a PLE implies that there will likely be a physical altercation during or after the Grayson Waller Effect promo, involving someone.

Payback features four championship titles up for grabs, making it the perfect opportunity for a title change. It's crucial to have quality storytelling, and shows where all champions retain their titles don't deliver that. Therefore, it's highly unlikely to see Rey Mysterio lose the title to Austin Theory without some deeper storytelling involving Theory or a conflict with fellow LWO member Santos Escobar. Keeping the gold around Mysterio's waist is the best option to give LWO the push they deserve. As for the Women's World champion, Rhea Ripley, she is also expected to retain her title, as she plays a significant role in the popularity of Mami. While her title reign may end eventually, it would be more fitting for an event like WrestleMania 40 rather than Payback. The feud between Ripley and Rodriquez will likely continue, as there are more opportunities for storytelling there.

The championships most likely to change hands at Payback are the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship. Both have compelling arguments. Owens and Zayn haven't had a proper run as champions and have been constantly facing The Judgment Day. Retaining and developing a more substantial storyline for them makes sense. However, it is also reasonable to have them prove their worth against the formidable team of The Judgment Day. On the other hand, having Seth Rollins continue as a proactive champion helps build legitimacy for the World Heavyweight Championship, asserting that it's not secondary to Roman Reigns' title. While Shinsuke Nakamura has created an intriguing storyline for his match, WWE Creative must handle it with caution.

The likely scenario could revolve around the MITB briefcase. It is possible that Balor and Priest are defeated by KO and Zayn, while Rollins retains the championship against Nakamura. However, Priest cashes in his MITB contract and takes advantage of Rollins' vulnerability. This would have several consequences: it would further establish Judgment Day as a prominent faction, provide a captivating twist for the championship to maintain its star power, create friction within the faction as Balor remains the only one without a title (as Dominik Mysterio holds the NXT North American Championship), and allow Nakamura to continue his pursuit of the championship while Rollins takes a step back. Drama is a fundamental aspect of sports entertainment, making this our prediction. It is possible that we may be completely wrong, but it will be intriguing to witness how Payback unfolds nonetheless.

WWE Payback will be broadcasted on Peacock, with the pre-show beginning at 7 ET and the main event at 8 ET.