Four huge Championships matches have already been scheduled for the first post-Wrestlemania PPV event, Wwe Payback 2017, at SAP Centre San Jose, California on April 30.
Originally planned as RAW’s exclusive event, WWE Payback will now feature matches to be contested by superstars from opposing brands due to the recent Superstar Shakeup. With two more episodes left on “Monday Night RAW” and “SmackDown Live” before the PPV date, the chances are high that more matches will be added to the card in the coming weeks.
Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt for WWE Championship (House of Horrors Match)
‘The Eater of Worlds’ lost the WWE Championship to Orton at Wrestlemania 33, but still has a chance to retain the belt, thanks to a rematch clause. In an attempt to gain advantage for their title advantage, RAW-bound Wyatt challenged Orton to a House of Horrors match, which the latter immediately accepted.
According to wrestling insiders, WWE match-makers have yet to decide on what gimmick/stipulation they will introduce in a House of Horrors match. The promotion has already sent an e-mail to its ‘fan council,’ asking for suggestions on will be the central theme (casket, eerie music, projector, cages, and mirrors) of that particular match.
Jeff and Matt Hardy (The Hardy Boyz) vs. Sheamus and Cesaro for WWE RAW Tag-Team Championship
The Hardy Boyz backed up their shocking WWE comeback at Wrestlemania 33 with a decisive win over the Club (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) to retain the tag-team titles the following night on “RAW.” On that same episode, Sheamus and Cesaro secured a shot at the tag-team titles after defeating Enzo Amore and Big Cass in a no.1 contender’s match.
The Hardy Boyz, now in their 7th reign as WWE tag-team champions, will be facing the hardest test since returning to WWE. Cesaro and Sheamus are main-event caliber players as singles’ competitors, but they proved more potent as a team recently with their new-found in-ring chemistry.
Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho for United States Championship
Another Wrestlemania rematch, this United States Championship showdown will more likely be the final match of Chris Jericho before he leaves WWE again to join his touring band Fozzy. Y2J has been an entertaining act throughout his latest WWE run, as he captivated wrestling fans with his ‘List of Jericho’ gimmick, and of course, the best-friend storyline with Owens that lasted for six months. As for the Prizefighter, he is already bound for another intriguing feud with AJ Styles for the US title on “SmackDown Live.”
Neville vs. Austin Aries for WWE Cruiserweight Championship
The King of Cruiserweight has become more powerful entering his second match with no.
1 contender Austin Aries after successfully enlisting the service of inaugural cruiserweight champ TJ Perkins. With a new henchman by his side, Neville will be a lot harder to dethrone this time around.
