Payback (2015)

WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming event

Payback

Promotional poster featuring Randy Orton

Promotion| WWE
Date| May 17, 2015
City| Baltimore, Maryland
Venue| Royal Farms Arena
Attendance| 10,000
Buy rate| 54,000[1] (excluding WWE Network views)
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The 2015 Payback was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was the third annual Payback and took place on May 17, 2015, at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, marking the first Payback held outside of the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. The theme of the event was wrestlers seeking payback against their opponents.

Nine matches were contested at the event, including two on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Randy Orton in a fatal four-way match to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. In other prominent matches, The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) defeated Cesaro and Tyson Kidd in a two out of three falls match to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship, Bray Wyatt defeated Ryback, and John Cena defeated Rusev in an "I Quit" match to retain the WWE United States Championship. The event sold 54,000 buys (excluding WWE Network views), down from the previous year's 67,000 buys.

## Production

[edit]

### Background

[edit]

The event was held at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

Payback was an annual professional wrestling event that was established by WWE in 2013. The concept of the event was the wrestlers seeking payback against their opponents.[2] The 2015 event was the third Payback and was held on May 17, 2015, at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The event aired on pay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and was livestreamed on the WWE Network.[3] Payback was available free to new subscribers on the WWE Network, as part of a 30-day free trial in over 140 countries.[4]

### Storylines

[edit]

The event comprised nine matches, including two on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Raw and SmackDown.[5][6]

At Extreme Rules, John Cena retained the United States Championship by defeating Rusev in a Russian Chain match. Later in the event, after consulting with The Authority, Lana stated that Cena would defend the title against Rusev in an "I Quit" match at the event.[7]

At Extreme Rules, Seth Rollins defeated Randy Orton in a Steel Cage match to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after interference from Kane, Jamie Noble, and Joey Mercury.[7] On the April 27 episode of Raw, it was announced that, as a result of a vote on the WWE App, Rollins was scheduled to defend the title against Orton and Roman Reigns in a triple threat match at the event.[8] On the May 4 episode of Raw, Dean Ambrose defeated Rollins in a non-title match, and per the pre-match stipulation, he was added to the match, thus making the match a fatal four-way match.[9] On the May 11 episode of Raw, Triple H decided that if Rollins lost the title, Kane would no longer be the WWE Director of Operations.[10]

On the Extreme Rules Kickoff pre-show, Neville defeated Bad News Barrett.[11] On April 28, Barrett defeated Neville to win the King of the Ring tournament, changing his ring name to King Barrett.[12] On the May 7 episode of SmackDown, Neville and Dolph Ziggler defeated Barrett and Sheamus in a tag team match.[13] On the May 11 episode of Raw, a match between Barrett and Neville was scheduled for the event.[10]

At Extreme Rules, Dolph Ziggler defeated Sheamus in a Kiss Me Arse match.[7] On the May 7 episode of SmackDown, Ziggler and Neville defeated Sheamus and Barrett in a tag team match.[13] On the May 11 episode of Raw, Ziggler was scheduled to face Sheamus at the event.[10]

At Extreme Rules, The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E, accompanied by Xavier Woods) defeated Tyson Kidd and Cesaro to win the WWE Tag Team Championship.[7] On the April 30 episode of SmackDown, Kidd and Cesaro defeated The New Day by disqualification in a rematch for the titles.[14] On the May 11 episode of Raw, The New Day were scheduled to defend the titles against Kidd and Cesaro in a two out of three falls tag team match at the event.[10]

On the May 11 episode of Raw, The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) interrupted a match between Curtis Axel and Damien Sandow, in the guise of Macho Mandow, and attacked both wrestlers, resulting in Axel and Mandow teaming together to attack The Ascension. A match between the two pairs was scheduled for the Payback Kickoff pre-show.[10]

Bray Wyatt began sending messages to Ryback in April. On the April 27 and April 30 episodes of Raw, Wyatt attacked Ryback following the latter's victories over Bo Dallas[8] and Luke Harper, respectively.[14] On the May 11 episode of Raw, Ryback attacked Wyatt.[10] On May 13, a match between the two was scheduled for the event.[15]

Naomi was defeated by Divas Champion, Nikki Bella, at Extreme Rules,[7] and by Nikki's twin sister, Brie Bella, on the April 27 episode of Raw.[8] A week later, a returning Tamina Snuka joined Naomi in an attack on both Bella Twins.[9] On the May 11 episode of Raw, Tamina defeated Brie.[10] On the May 14 episode of SmackDown, a match between the two teams was scheduled for Payback.[16]

## Event

[edit]

Other on-screen personnel Role:  | Name:

|

English commentators | Michael Cole
Jerry Lawler
John "Bradshaw" Layfield
Spanish commentators  | Carlos Cabrera
Marcelo Rodriguez
Backstage interviewers | Tom Phillips
Eden Stiles
Ring announcers | Eden Stiles
JoJo
Referees | John Cone
Darrick Moore
Dan Engler
Jason Ayers
Pre-show panel  | Renee Young
Booker T
Corey Graves

### Pre-show

[edit]

During the Payback Kickoff pre-show, R-Truth defeated Stardust after a "Lie Detector". Later, "The Mega Powers" (Macho Mandow and Curtis Axel) faced The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor), which The Ascension won after a "Fall of Man" to Mandow.[17]

### Preliminary matches

[edit]

The actual pay-per-view opened with Dolph Ziggler facing Sheamus. In the end, Sheamus performed a "Brogue Kick" on Ziggler to win the match.[18]

Next, The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against Tyson Kidd and Cesaro. Kidd and Cesaro won the first fall after Kidd performed a dropkick following a "Cesaro Swing" on Kingston. The New Day won the second fall after performing the "Midnight Hour" on Kidd. The New Day won the third fall after Xavier Woods sneaked in and pinned Cesaro with an inside cradle, meaning The New Day retained the titles.[18]

In the third match, Ryback faced Bray Wyatt. After Ryback collided with an exposed turnbuckle, Wyatt executed "Sister Abigail" on Ryback to win the match.[18]

The fourth match saw John Cena defend the United States Championship against Rusev in an "I Quit" match. At one point during the match, the fight spilled into the crowd, as well as the production area. Rusev eventually applied the "Accolade" on Cena. Cena did not quit, but passed out. Referee Mike Chioda informed Rusev that the match can only end when someone quits, so unlike a submission match, this one continued. Steel steps, a steel barricade, Cena tackling Rusev through the barricade, Cena using a laptop as a weapon, and Rusev using the pyro table for an explosion all came into play during the match. In the end, Cena ended up using the ring ropes for extra torque on the STF he applied on Rusev. Lana then claimed that Rusev was saying "I Quit" in Bulgarian. As Lana was Rusev's manager, the referee obliged and Cena retained the title.[18]

Next, The Bella Twins (Brie Bella and Nikki Bella) faced Naomi and Tamina. The match ended when Naomi executed the "Rear View" on Nikki to get the win.[18]

In the penultimate match, Neville faced King Barrett. In the end, Barrett was intentionally counted out. Following the match, Barrett attacked Neville, including putting on his royal attire, but Neville gave Barrett a German suplex and performed the "Red Arrow" on him.[18]

### Main event

[edit]

In the main event, Seth Rollins defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Randy Orton in a fatal four-way match. During the match, there was a mini-Shield reunion when Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose performed their signature triple powerbomb on Orton through a broadcast table. Rollins then wanted the group to reunite, however Reigns and Ambrose attacked him. Kane interfered to aid Rollins. Reigns and Ambrose executed a powerbomb on Kane on top of Rollins, who was on another broadcast table. Reigns and Ambrose performed another powerbomb on Kane sending both Kane and Rollins through the broadcast table. Ambrose and Reigns then started to wrestle each other. Reigns missed two Superman punches, but finally connected the third one on Ambrose. Reigns performed a spear on Ambrose and made a cover, but Rollins broke up the cover. Ambrose performed "Dirty Deeds" on Rollins and made a cover but Kane pulled Ambrose out of the ring, voiding the pinfall at a two count. Kane attacked Ambrose with the steel steps and performed a chokeslam on Reigns onto the steel steps. Orton executed "RKOs" to both Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury, and performed a spike DDT on Rollins. Orton then prepared for an "RKO", but Kane would try to interfere, only to receive an "RKO". Rollins capitalized and executed a "Pedigree" on Orton to retain the title.[18]

## Aftermath

[edit]

During Payback, The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods) were scheduled to defend the WWE Tag Team Championship in an Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber.[18] On the following episode of Raw, after Cesaro and Tyson Kidd defeated New Day (Kingston and Big E, with Woods banned from ringside) via disqualification, the teams engaged in a brawl with Los Matadores (Diego, Fernando, and El Torito), The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor), The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara), and The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil), who revealed themselves to be the challengers in addition to Cesaro and Kidd.[19]

On the following episode of Raw, Dean Ambrose challenged WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins to a title match, but Rollins refused. Later, Ambrose attacked Rollins until The Authority granted Ambrose a title match at Elimination Chamber.[19]

Also on Raw, Divas Champion Nikki Bella defeated Naomi via disqualification to retain the title after interference from Tamina. Afterwards, Tamina and Naomi attacked Nikki until Paige returned from injury and attacked them.[19] On that week's SmackDown, Naomi and Tamina attacked Paige before Nikki attacked Tamina, Naomi, and Paige. It was then announced that Nikki would defend the Divas Championship against Paige and Naomi in a triple threat match at Elimination Chamber with Tamina banned from ringside.[20]

## Results

[edit]

No.| Results| Stipulations| Times[17][18]

|
|
|

1P| R-Truth defeated Stardust by pinfall| Singles match[21]| 6:50
2P| The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) defeated The Mega Powers (Curtis Axel and Macho Mandow) by pinfall| Tag team match[22]| 2:50
3| Sheamus defeated Dolph Ziggler by pinfall| Singles match[23]| 12:20
4| The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) (c) (with Xavier Woods) defeated Cesaro and Tyson Kidd (with Natalya) 2-1| Two out of three falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championship[24]| 12:40
5| Bray Wyatt defeated Ryback by pinfall| Singles match[25]| 10:54
6| John Cena (c) defeated Rusev (with Lana)| "I Quit" match for the WWE United States Championship[26]| 27:58
7| Naomi and Tamina defeated The Bella Twins (Nikki Bella and Brie Bella) by pinfall| Tag team match[27]| 6:13
8| Neville defeated King Barrett by countout| Singles match[28]| 7:22
9| Seth Rollins (c) (with J&J Security (Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury) defeated Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns by pinfall| Fatal four-way match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship[29]
Had Rollins lost the title, Kane would be fired from being Director of Operations.| 21:06
| (c)|  – the champion(s) heading into the match

|

P|  – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Namako, Jason (July 30, 2015). "Extreme Rules, Payback and MITB 2015 PPV buyrate figures". WrestleView. Archived from the original on August 2, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
2. ^ "Payback 2013 (DVD)". WWE Home Video UK. WWE. June 18, 2013. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
3. ^ Martin, Adam (September 9, 2014). "Baltimore to host the WWE Payback PPV in 2015". WrestleView. Archived from the original on September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
4. ^ Martin, Adam (April 30, 2015). "New subscribers will get the WWE Network for free in May". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
5. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
6. ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
7. ^ a b c d e Caldwell, James (April 26, 2015). "Caldwell's Extreme Rules PPV Report 4/26: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV – Rollins vs. Orton steel cage, Cena vs. Rusev, Last Man Standing, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
8. ^ a b c Tedesco, Mike (April 28, 2015). "WWE Raw Results – 4/27/15 (Payback main event set)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on April 30, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
9. ^ a b Tedesco, Mike (May 5, 2015). "WWE Raw Results – 5/4/15 (Changes to Payback main event)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
10. ^ a b c d e f g Tedesco, Mike (May 12, 2015). "WWE Raw Results – 5/11/15 (Final hype for WWE Payback)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
11. ^ Caldwell, James (April 26, 2015). "Caldwell's Extreme Rules PPV Report 4/26 (pre-show): Complete coverage of Barrett vs. Neville, Dean crashes set, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
12. ^ Tedesco, Mike (April 29, 2015). "2015 WWE King of the Ring Results – 4/28/15 (Barrett is King)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on April 30, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
13. ^ a b Grubba, Randy (May 8, 2015). "WWE Smackdown Results – 5/7/15 (Contract Signing)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
14. ^ a b Martin, Adam (May 1, 2015). "WWE Smackdown Results – 4/30/15 (Rollins vs. Ambrose)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
15. ^ Namako, Jason (May 13, 2015). "New match added to this Sunday's WWE Payback PPV". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
16. ^ Parks, Greg (May 16, 2015). "Parks's WWE SmackDown Report 5/14: Complete coverage of the Thursday night show, including Seth Rollins vs. Ryback, Kane vs. Roman Reigns". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
17. ^ a b Caldwell, James (May 17, 2015). "Caldwell's WWE Payback PPV Report 5/17 (pre-show): R-Truth vs. Stardust, Ascension vs. nostalgia pairing, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Caldwell, James (May 17, 2015). "Caldwell's WWE Payback PPV Report 5/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of four-way WWE Title match, I Quit War, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
19. ^ a b c Tedesco, Mike (May 19, 2015). "WWE Raw Results – 5/18/15 (New #1 Contender announced)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
20. ^ Martin, Adam (May 22, 2015). "WWE Smackdown Results – 5/21/15 (Ambrose vs. Wyatt)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
21. ^ Passero, Mitch (May 17, 2015). "R-Truth def. Stardust (Kickoff Match)". WWE. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
22. ^ Burdick, Michael (May 11, 2015). "The Ascension def. 'The Mega Powers'". WWE. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
23. ^ Clapp, John (May 11, 2015). "Sheamus def. Dolph Ziggler". WWE. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
24. ^ Wortman, James (May 11, 2015). "WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day def. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)". WWE. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
25. ^ "Bray Wyatt def. Ryback". WWE. May 11, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
26. ^ Melok, Bobby (April 26, 2015). "United States Champion John Cena def. Rusev ("I Quit" Match)". WWE. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
27. ^ Laboon, Jeff (May 11, 2015). "Naomi & Tamina def. The Bella Twins". WWE. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
28. ^ Taylor, Scott (May 11, 2015). "Neville def. King Barrett by Count Out". WWE. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
29. ^ Murphy, Ryan (April 27, 2015). "WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins won a Fatal 4-Way Match". WWE. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.

## External links

[edit]

* Payback Official Website

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