On the first of June, WWE will be airing Payback 2014 live on the WWE Network of course. It seemed like a lot was being built well to a big event like this one, but there are only six matches on the card. More could be added, but I will only predict the announced contests. There is no WWE World Heavyweight title match, but Daniel Bryan must surrender the belt to save his wife’s job. WWE could be procrastinating until Bryan is healthy. However, he might be injured longer than that can handle. I predict Bryan surrenders the title.
Kickoff Match: Hornswoggle vs. El Torito (Hair vs. Mask)
I don’t love that this match is happening again two kickoffs in a row. Despite the nice difference in stipulations, this feud isn’t that interesting. Last month, I praised WWE for booking a match that at least was being shown on television regularly. However, when you don’t have a match for the tag titles, but instead Hornswoggle and El Torito? No! No! No! With that said, no way the mask comes off so bye bye hair.
Winner: El Torito
WWE Divas Championship: Paige © vs. Alicia Fox
WWE has done a fantastic job with making Alicia Fox the same diva she was back in 2010 when she won the title at the Fatal Four Way pay per view event. However, the combination of her spending so much time as a jobber and Paige being the ideal champion right now means the title won’t change hands. Paige represents a young new champion and coming from NXT, the perfect champion to have right now.
Winner: Paige retains
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Wade Barrett © vs. Rob Van Dam
I may be the only one, but I don’t like Rob Van Dam as the number one contender. There are so many superstars in the midcard right now, I prefer someone who is as current as Bad News Barrett. The current Intercontinental champion is so over with his new gimmick. I find myself using his catchphrase in my personal life. It’s not the best catchphrase to use with your significant other, but it’s very fun to say in a British accent. Who can forget when even Stephanie did it?
By the way, I prefer any member of The Shield (it’s time for them to get some gold after the feud with Evolution is over, don’t you think?), Bray Wyatt (anyone else more curious what these two do after?), Cesaro (just as popular as Barrett), even Dolph Ziggler, Fandango or the others who are also getting regular tv time.
Winner: Bad News Barrett retains
WWE United States Championship: Sheamus © vs. Cesaro
This is actually a match I’m really looking forward to. As many others would agree, Cesaro’s relationship with Paul Heyman have pushed him to another level. I was surprised Cesaro wasn’t booked to face Barrett for the Intercontinental title, but facing a brand new a United States Champion in the back to relevancy Sheamus is very intriguing. Would WWE take the title off Sheamus so soon? I am pretty torn as to who will win, so I will choose the one I want to win and that is Cesaro.
Winner: Cesaro becomes NEW United States Champion
(That is if Brock Lesnar doesn’t come back to start his feud with Cesaro)
Last Man Standing Match: John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
While this feud has been very strong and a great way to elevate Bray Wyatt, I’m hoping it ends here. And since Wyatt has proven to be so over as a modern day Mankind and the creepiest character on WWE programming, he deserves to win. Cena will always be Cena and Wyatt looks stronger and hotter than ever.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
Side note: I won’t be surprised if there is an impromptu tag title match between the Usos and other two members of the Wyatt Family. I’d be even less surprised if Luke Harper and Erick Rowan win the titles.
No Holds Barred Elimination Match: The Shield vs. Evolution
Winner: Evolution
What are your thoughts on my predictions? Agree or disagree? Tweet me and let me know @sethgutt
Seth Guttenplan is the owner of GuTTWrenchPowerBlog and WWE blogger for ProWrestlingPowerhouse.com. When Seth is not writing about wrestling, he is a Special Education teacher in New Jersey. To read more from Seth, follow him on twitter (@sethgutt) and visit http://guttwrenchpowerblog.com
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