WWE Payback 2013: Coverage, Results, Social Media and more!

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Three Title changes, the return of CM Punk and hell came to Chicago. The All State Arena hosted the inaugural WWE Payback event, and indeed it was one wild night...

The Intercontinental Championship was up for grabs in a Triple Threat match. Wade Barrett had the odds stacked against him as he defended against The Miz and Curtis Axel. A vibrant Chicago crowd were believing many-a-time that one had got the win, but near fall after near fall, the match continued. Curtis Axel's wrestling excellence was on full display, and his tactics were spot on. The Miz was fingertips away from making Wade Barrett tap-out to the Figure-Four Leg Lock, but Curtis Axel was the ultimate opportunist and pinned Barrett when he was in the leg lock. The New Intercontinental Champion, Curtis Axel. Significantly on Fathers' Day, a fitting tribute to his father, Mr. Perfect - one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time. Amazing moment for Axel, let the PERFECT title reign commence!

Very clever, opportunistic conclusion by the NEW IC CHAMPION @RealCurtisAxel! Happy Father's Day. Curt is smiling.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) June 17, 2013

The Diva's Championship was in contention as Kaitlyn defended against AJ Lee. A personal rivalry that had escalated on RAW took to another level with both Diva's throwing all they had at each other. Great action on the part of both superstars and they knew each other well. Kaitlyn had once managed to outdo the Black Widow submission by AJ Lee, and responded with an emphatic Spear. However, Kaitlyn did not seize the opportunity to pin immediately and tried to embarrass AJ. She went for another Spear but his the turnbuckle and AJ capitalised to lock in the Black Widow and Kaitlyn tapped. AJ Lee had captured the Gold for the first time, meanwhile Kaitlyn had lost her title and it finished a terrible week for the former Champion. Having lost her title she had a breakdown and was left distraught.

United States Champion Dean Ambrose successfully defended his title against Kane. Ambrose took some of Kane's very best shots and put up a very good fight against a veteran such as Kane. An angry and fired up Kane looked to inflict damage on Ambrose and get Payback on a member of The Shield. Ambrose found the opportunity outside the ring, as Kane prepared to throw him through the table, Ambrose reversed and delivered a DDT on the outside. Dean Ambrose retained via Countout, leaving Kane injured and angered.


BREAKING: WWE made a HUGE announcement during WWE Payback announcing the return of a former World Champion!
Learn More >>


Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler battled for the World Heavyweight Championship. Ziggler had come of a concussion that had sidelined him for 5 weeks, and this was to be utilized as a key target for Del Rio in the match. Time and time again, the effects of the concussion were taking an effect, but Ziggler showed the heart of a Champion and managed to soldier on. The Chicago Crowd were against Del Rio as he savagely attacked Ziggler. Dolph almost pulled off the upset with a ZigZag finisher but was unable to score the victory. What Ziggler did not see coming next was an Enziguri that put Ziggler away, the concussion effects were too much to overcome this time. Alberto Del Rio had captured the Gold and became the new World Heavyweight Champion to the disarray of the WWE Universe because of the manner of how he won it. A heel turn was next for Del Rio who came back out and had some choice words for the crowd at the All State Arena. Ziggler's concussion may be worse than expected and it resulted in him losing the World Heavyweight Championship.
ZIGGLER INJURY UPDATE

The Chicago Crowd were in anticipation of the return of the Best in the World, CM Punk, as he was scheduled to face Chris Jericho. Y2J received a hostile reception at the All State Arena, and speculation about CM Punk not turning up was immediately ended when CM Punk made an entrance.
Insanity was around the arena as everyone went crazy as he entered. Punk was ready to go and pulled off an epic match with Chris Jericho. Back and forth it went, both showing that they have some of the best wrestling talent in the WWE. Chicago were spurring on CM Punk throughout the night, but it was a hard task for Punk trying to beat Jericho. Both men showed their resilience with kick outs following devastating finishers, and threw their best at each other. Punk prevailed in the epic encounter, when he finally managed to hit another GTS and triumph in his hometown. Amazing match.


Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins defended their tag team titles against Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, also known as Team R-K-NO! The Shield capped off another successful night by successfully defending their tag team Championships. Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton did not really work as a cohesive unit, with Daniel Bryan accidentally having Orton on the receiving end of a Suicide Dive. In the latter moments of the contest,  Randy Orton threw Daniel Bryan into a Spear by Reigns, before Orton gave him an RKO. Rollins got rid off Orton and finished Bryan to retain.



It was time for the main event in Chicago, John Cena defended his WWE Championship against Ryback in a Three Stages of Hell Match.
The first stage was a LumberJack match, with Ryback dominating the start. As Cena got back into it, things were on the brink of utter chaos. The lumberjacks engaged in an insane brawl, and then Cena shocked everyone by diving from the turnbuckle into the sea of bodies that were the WWE Lumberjacks. When they were back in the ring, Ryback managed to hit the Shellshocked on John Cena, pin him and win the first stage.
Now for the tables. Ryback immediately tried to break Cena through with Shellshocked, but to no avail. Ryback unleashed another savage attack on Cena using numerous foreign objects. Ryback almost smashed Cena through the table but Cena reversed an AA'd Ryback through the table. 1 - 1, an ambulance would now decide it.
A war ensued outside the ambulance as the final stage took place. It was carnage as both destroyed each other, using whatever possible to inflict damage. It was an insane ending, as John Cena and Ryback were both top of the ambulance, and John Cena gave Ryback an Attitude Adjustment.
Ryback went through the ambulance! John Cena retains the WWE Championship.

VERY enjoyable show once again as WWE continue to produce some awesome PPV's recently. Welcome back @CMPunk.
— Kierann ♔ (@StraightEdge_CR) June 17, 2013

I'll give a 7/10 to #Payback solid wrestling but too predictable
— #GoJaysGo (@Pookeo9) June 17, 2013

With CM Punk returning, a double turn occurring, and three title changes, this was a VERY newsworthy show. Loved it all. #Payback
— Graham Mirmina (@SAVE_US_GSM) June 17, 2013

CLASSIFIED RESULTS
Kick-Off Show: Sheamus def. Damien Sandow
Curtis Axel def. The Miz, Wade Barrett (New Intercontinental Champion)
AJ Lee def. Kaitlyn (New Diva's Champion)
Dean Ambrose def. Kane via Countout (Retains United States Championship)
Alberto Del Rio def. Dolph Ziggler (New World Heavyweight Champion)
CM Punk def. Chris Jericho
Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins def. Randy Orton & Daniel Bryan (Retain Tag Team Championship)
John Cena def. Ryback (Retains WWE Championship)

And there it is. A big night at WWE Payback, with three titles now changed hands, there is a lot coming off this. What is next for CM Punk? Rob Van Dam is set to return! Who is John Cena's next challenge? 

Payback has been served. But there is more coming.

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