With the dust settling on WrestleMania 32, some Superstars are on top of the mountain, while others will be seeking some vengeance.
The next big pay-per-view event and WWE Network special is Payback, and it emanates live from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. on May 1. In the wake of a memorable WrestleMania, there will be a lot of scores to be settled once Payback rolls around.
Here is our projected card for the event. To view this article in slideshow form, CLICK START at the top right of this page. Given the murky statuses of John Cena and Brock Lesnar, we've left them off the card.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match: Zack Ryder (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Ryder shocked the world when he made his WrestleMania debut and outlasted six other men in a Ladder Match to spoil KOMania and win the Intercontinental Championship. Owens is due a rematch, which the WWE could put on during what is usually a red-hot "RAW" following WrestleMania. The other star who shined in the match was Zayn, so he could also get involved with his old rival in Owens and eye his first gold on the main roster to make this into a Triple Threat showdown.
WWE Tag Team Championships: The New Day (c) vs. The League of Nations
The Sheamus-led stable scored a gigantic victory over Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E in a 4-on-3 handicap match at WrestleMania, which should position them in line for a title shot. The New Day can pick two members to defend the gold against two of the League of Nations members since the titles weren't on the line Sunday night in Dallas.
Submission Match: Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles
The "Phenomenal One" should be out for revenge after "Y2J" scored a victory over him at the "Show of Shows." Since these two have fought a lot already (including an amazing match at WrestleMania), adding the wrinkle of a submission stipulation could help keep things fresh. It would be Jericho's Walls of Jericho against Styles' Calf Crusher in what would be an epic battle between two tremendous veterans.
Singles Match: Kane vs. Baron Corbin
While admittedly not the best-looking matchup on paper, Kane is the perfect guy to put the former NXT standout over to start his career. Corbin's statement win of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal seemed to indicate he will now be a part of the main roster going forward. Since he last eliminated Kane to win that match, it only makes sense they'd have some animosity heading into Corbin's first singles match on WWE pay-per-view.
WWE United States Championship: Kalisto (c) w/ Sin Cara vs. Bray Wyatt w/ The Wyatt Family
The Wyatt Family was curiously left off the WrestleMania card as competitors, but they did have an interesting segment with The Rock and John Cena. If The Wyatts are truly headed toward a clash with Brock Lesnar, possibly at SummerSlam, it's time for them to pick up some much-needed momentum. A six-second squash match for Erick Rowan against The Rock, while entertaining, is not the answer. The "Eater of Worlds" can finally pick up his first title by defeating Kalisto to become U.S. Champion.
WWE Women's Championship: Charlotte (c) vs. Sasha Banks
Since "The Boss" didn't factor into the WrestleMania decision and was held out of the ending by Ric Flair, it would only make sense for her to have a gripe for a one-on-one shot. Becky Lynch tapped out to the Figure Eight, keeping the belt on Charlotte while not forcing Banks to absorb the pin. These two appear headed on a collision course for Payback.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Triple H vs. Dean Ambrose
With Lesnar presumably taking time off, the "Lunatic Fringe" needs something new to do and he's unlikely to get a crack at his former Shield stablemate by himself. Triple H is of course due a rematch after losing to reigns at WrestleMania. "The Game" could demand his shot for Payback, only to have Ambrose interrupt and throw his name into the ring since he would have beaten Triple H for the belt at Roadblock had it not been for a technicality. This could all lead to a Triple Threat Match for the richest prize in the game come May 1.
