WWE Payback Results – May 1, 2016 – Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles

WWE Payback Results
May 1, 2016
Chicago, Illinois
Report by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com

Kickoff Show Results:

1. Dolph Ziggler def. Baron Corbin

2. Kalisto def. Ryback to retain the WWE United States Championship

We go live in Chicago as Big E kicks off the show introducing the WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day. Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods head to the ring with mics in hand. Woods welcomes everyone to WWE Payback and talks about how one team will have the opportunity to become No. 1 Contenders for the WWE World Tag Team Championships. Kingston said they want a ringside view tonight. Big E said it is a new era in WWE…because…”New…Day Rocks!”

A video package runs focusing on the new era in WWE following WrestleMania 32 with the tagline, “We Have Arrived.” The video package then looks at Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles, Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens, Enzo Amore and Big Cass, The Vaudevillains and Mr. McMahon making an announcement on who will control RAW going forward. “The First Pay Per View of a New Era” closes the video package. A graphic opening hits welcoming us to Payback as we go back live to Chicago. Out first is Enzo Amore and Big Cass.

WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contenders Tournament Final
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. The Vaudevillains

We start with Enzo Amore and Simon Gotch. Enzo with a monkey flip on Gotch. Gotch bridges out and kicks Enzo away. Gotch with a series of shoulder tackles and Enzo catches him with a dropkick. Tag to Aiden English who blocks a drop toe hold. Big Cass tags himself in and stares down English. Big Cass with body shots to English in the corner. Tag back to Enzo who is launched into Gotch and English by Big Cass. Big Cass then press slams Enzo over English for a two count. Enzo cuts off Gotch with a high knee and then eats a corner dropkick from English. Gotch sends Enzo through the ropes and Enzo catches his head on the bottom rope. Enzo appears to be legitimately knocked out. A WWE referee immediately attends to Enzo Amore at ringside.

WWE medical staff run down. The referee calls for the bell. We see a replay and Enzo knocked his head off the second rope. They did a close up and Enzo is gasping for air and appears to be legitimately knocked out. The referee has called for the bell. Medical staff are now at ringside and are putting Enzo on a stretcher. Big Cass is looking on and speaking with WWE staff. Xavier Woods had a very concerned look on his face as he was sitting at ringside with Big E and Kofi Kingston.

Winner: No Contest

A video package runs hyping Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn.

Michael Cole provided an update on Enzo Amore saying he has been taken to the hospital and described it as a very serious situation.

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

Owens and Zayn immediately start brawling and Zayn quickly tosses Owens out of the ring. Zayn leaps over the top rope and takes out Owens. Zayn sends Owens back first into the ring barricade two times. Back in the ring, Owens bounces the jaw of Zayn off the top rope. Zayn rebounds with right hands and body shots to Owens. Owens drops Zayn face first off the ring apron and then tosses him shoulder first into the steel steps. The referee starts the count. Owens kicks Zayn right in the face on the steel steps.

Enzo Amore is now talking and moving according to an update by Michael Cole.

Back in the ring, Owens with a big chop to Zayn. Zayn with elbows. Owens returns with an elbow of his own. Owens with a front suplex on Zayn bouncing him off the top rope and following it up with a quick splash for a two count. Owens with a high elbow and Zayn immediately returns with a clothesline. Zayn with another clothesline that levels Owens.  Zayn with right hands to Owens standing in the corner and then throws lefts and rights. Owens with a boot to the face on Zayn. Zayn returns with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Zayn with a traditional Blue Thunder Bomb and gets a very close two count on Owens. Owens cradles Zayn and drops him over his knee. Nearfall for Owens. Owens gets up on the top turnbuckle and connects with a huge frog splash. Owens hooks the leg of Zayn and Zayn kicks out. Owens with a cannonball to Zayn in the corner. Owens connects with a second cannonball. Zayn counters a Pop Up Powerbomb attempt with a dropkick. Zayn with a big hook back suplex on Owens and Owens immediately levels Zayn. The fans in Chicago go crazy. Zayn with a roll up for another close two count on Owens. Zayn springboards off the ropes attempting a tornado DDT and Owens counters dropping Zayn off his knee. Owens and Zayn exchanging shots. Owens with a kick to Zayn, Zayn with a back body drop and Owens lands back first over the ring apron. Zayn dives through the ropes in the corner and takes out Owens with a DDT on the outside! Back inside the ring, Zayn is firing himself up as Owens is getting to his feet. Owens catches Zayn with a superkick and the Pop Up Powerbomb. Owens covers and gets the pinfall.

Winner: Kevin Owens

After the match, we can see that the nose of Kevin Owens is busted open. Owens then tosses Sami Zayn over the top rope. He then yells at Byron Saxton at ringside to get a microphone and to get inside the ring. Saxton gets in the ring and Owens tells him to ask him about beating Sami Zayn tonight. Saxton asks if the rivalry is finally over. Owens takes the mic away and yells, “I beat Sami Zayn! You saw it. You all saw it. I beat’em and I finally put to rest the question that people have been asking about us for 14 years. I beat Sami Zayn. Kevin Owens is the better man.” He said now he can refocus and get back “my Intercontinental Championship.” Saxton says that match is next and Owens offers up commentary duties. Owens grabs a chair at ringside.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
The Miz (c) w/ Maryse vs. Cesaro

Cesaro with a pinfall attempt and gutwrench suplex on Miz early. Cesaro drops Miz off his knee when Miz was jumping at him. Cesaro knocks Miz off the top rope as Maryse looks on from ringside. The referee doesn’t notice Maryse holding on to the leg of Miz preventing him from getting suplexed back inside the ring. Miz with a kick to the face of Cesaro and then throws his left arm/shoulder off the ring. Miz with a reverse DDT and neckbreaker combo. Miz keeps Cesaro grounded with a guard submission. Cesaro powers out and drops Miz with a vertical suplex to break free. Cesaro clutches his throw and throws a quick uppercut at Miz. More uppercuts from Miz. Cesaro backs Miz to the corner, connects with more uppercuts and then starts hitting running uppercuts to Miz. Cesaro then connects with a huge dropkick on Miz bouncing off the ropes repeatedly. Cesaro with a suplex on Miz from the ring apron. Cesaro with a springboard spinning corkscrew uppercut catching Miz. Cesaro calls for the Cesaro Swing. Miz counters. Cesaro then launches Miz up in the air and catches him with a big uppercut on the way down. Cesaro covers Miz and Miz gets his foot on the bottom rope. Cesaro with another uppercut on Miz. Miz sends Cesaro shoulder first into the corner on his bad shoulder. Skull Crushing Finale on Cesaro, hooks the leg and Cesaro somehow kicks out! Miz can’t believe it and either can Maryse at ringside. Sami Zayn then jumps over the announce table and attacks Kevin Owens. Zayn and Owens are brawling at ringside. Zayn clotheslines Owens over the barricade into the timekeepers area. Back in the ring, Cesaro plants Miz and begins the Cesaro Swing. Cesaro swings Miz around 20 times and then locks on the Crossface. Owens and Zayn are now fighting up on the ring apron. The referee gets distracted. Miz is tapping out. Cesaro jumps up taking out Owens and Zayn. Miz then rolls up Cesaro and gets the pinfall. Cesaro can’t believe it.

Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: The Miz

After the match, Cesaro takes out The Miz with a running uppercut at ringside. Back inside the ring, Cesaro with a Neutralizer on Miz. Owens then walks up and kicks Cesaro in the head. Owens with a Pop Up Powerbomb on Zayn when he jumps back in. Owens attempts a Pop Up Powerbomb on Miz, but Maryse pulls Miz out of the ring. Owens picks up the WWE Intercontinental Championship as we see a shot of Miz and Maryse looking on from the entrance area.

Backstage, we see Stephanie McMahon talking with Apollo Crews. Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton plug that Mr. McMahon will be announcing tonight who will be running RAW going forward.

Michael Cole said Enzo Amore is now communicating with medical staff in Chicago and that they will continue to provide updates on his health as they find out more.

Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose

Ambrose with chops early on Jericho. Jericho bails out of the ring and Ambrose chases him around. Back inside, Jericho misses a clothesline and Ambrose connects with a cross body. Jericho sends Ambrose to the outside and then catches him with a dropkick through the ropes. Back inside the ring, Jericho drops Ambrose gut first off the top rope and then catches Ambrose with a springboard dropkick off the corner sending Ambrose flying to the outside. Back inside, Jericho catches Ambrose with another dropkicks. Jericho keeps Ambrose grounded working over his arms. Jericho with a high knee and chops to Ambrose. Jericho goes for a running bulldog and Jericho crotches himself in the corner. Ambrose with a clothesline in the corner, catches Jericho with a boot and then a tornado DDT. Jericho with elbows to Ambrose and catches Ambrose with an axe handle off the top rope. Ambrose counters out of a Walls of Jericho attempt and connects with a swinging neckbreaker. Ambrose with a running bulldog on Jericho for a two count. Jericho gets the Walls of Jericho applied on Ambrose. Ambrose is able to get to the bottom rope to break it up. Jericho is sent out and Ambrose catches him with a suicide dive. Ambrose is clearing off an announce table at ringside and puts Jericho on top. Ambrose is going for Dirty Deeds. Jericho counters and is attempting a Walls of Jericho. Jericho then catapults Ambrose over him and over the timekeepers barricade. Jericho rolls in as the referee continues his count. Jericho has a cut on his nose. Ambrose just gets back in at 9. Jericho calls him a stupid idiot and tells him to stay down. Ambrose counters a Codebreaker and catches Jericho with his lariat. Ambrose drops Jericho jaw first off the top rope when he was attempting another springboard dropkick. Ambrose with a flying elbow off the top rope catching Jericho. Series of counters and Jericho gets the Walls of Jericho applied on Ambrose again. Ambrose is slapping his face and firing himself up. Ambrose rolls to his back, throws rights, small package and Jericho kicks out. Jericho with a kick to the head. Ambrose fights back with jabs and chops. Jericho drops Ambrose with an elbow, Ambrose gets his knees up during a Lionsault, Ambrose hooks the arms of Jericho, throws knees and connects with Dirty Deeds. Ambrose hooks the leg and gets the pinfall.

Winner: Dean Ambrose

Backstage, Mauro Ranallo is with AJ Styles. Ranallo asks if we will see Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson helping him out tonight. Styles says he will become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion all by himself. He said Gallows and Anderson are his friends and they do have his back, but tonight is one-on-one and that Roman Reigns will find out why he is phenomenal.

Backstage, we see Sasha Banks talking with Shane McMahon.

WWE Women’s Championship Match
Charlotte (c) w/ Ric Flair vs. Natalya w/ Bret Hart

Big reactions for Ric Flair and Bret Hart in Chicago. Michael Cole talked about how tonight is Bret’s first appearance in WWE since his battle with prostate cancer. We got ring introductions for the challenger Natalya and champion Charlotte.

Early exchange between Charlotte and Natalya. Natalya with a quick arm drag on Charlotte as Bret and Ric look on from ringside. Natalya with a quick takedown dropping Charlotte down face first. Charlotte catches Natalya with a shoulder tackle and then eats a shoulder tackle from Natalya. Natalya is looking for a Sharpshooter and Charlotte quickly rolls out. Charlotte gets in Bret’s face posing, jumps back in the ring and catches Natalya with a neckbreaker. Charlotte drops knees over the head of Natalya. Charlotte with a slap to the face of Natalya and then gets in a Flair strut at ringside as Ric looks on smiling. Charlotte and Natalya exchange chops. Natalya with a release german suplex on Charlotte. Natalya with a dropkick to the face of Charlotte. Charlotte throws Natalya to the corner and drops her knee over the leg of Natalya. Charlotte goes to work on the left leg/knee of Natalya. Natalya with a small package for two on Charlotte. Charlotte goes back to work on the left leg/knee of Natalya. Natalya counters into an armbar attempt that Charlotte blocks and then gets her boots on the bottom rope to break it up. Charlotte with kicks to the body of Natalya. Charlotte with a suplex throwing the left leg of Natalya off the ropes. Charlotte goes up top and Natalya pushes her off. Flair walks over to check on her. The referee jumps out and checks on her as well. Charlotte is holding her knee and slowly crawling to the ring as the referee continues his count. Charlotte blocks a baseball slide, pulls Natalya out, looks to hit a powerbomb and Natalya with a head scissors takedown. Natalya tosses Charlotte back in the ring and then stares down Flair. Charlotte catches Natalya with a big boot on her way back in, hooks the leg and Natalya kicks out. Natalya with a clothesline planting Charlotte and gets another two count. Natalya is going for the Sharpshooter. Charlotte counters and tosses Natalya down on the mat. Charlotte with her Natural Selection blockbuster and gets a very close two count on Natalya. Charlotte connects with a huge top rope moonsault on Natalya. Charlotte gets the Figure Four locked on Natalya. Natalya reverses. Charlotte reaches out and gets the bottom rope. Charlotte then gets the Sharpshooter applied on Natalya. The referee immediately calls for the bell.

Winner and still WWE Women’s Champion: Charlotte

After the match, the referee jumps out and tosses the WWE Women’s Championship inside the ring. The referee bails. Ric Flair gets in and celebrates with Charlotte. Bret Hart is in and punches Flair dropping him. Charlotte tries to hit Natalya with the title. Bret applies the Sharpshooter on Flair and Natalya applies the Sharpshooter on Charlotte. Both Flair and Charlotte tap out.

A promo for WWE Extreme Rules on May 22 airs.

Mr. McMahon determines who will run Monday Night RAW

Vince McMahon walks out to a big reaction in Chicago. The crowd sings his theme. A loud “CM PUNK” chant breaks out. McMahon talks about RAW being one of the longest running shows in television history and how it has reinvented itself. Another “CM PUNK” chant breaks out. McMahon smiles and wonders how long they can do this. He talks about the many eras of RAW including his favorite, the Attitude Era. McMahon said someone needs to run RAW with a vision on where WWE should be going. He says we have a choice now: Shane McMahon or Stephanie McMahon.

Vince introduces his daughter Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie walks out smiling and hugs Vince. She wants to thank everyone for an outpouring of support after Roman Reigns speared her at WrestleMania. The fans in Chicago boo loudly. Vince tells them to shut up. He calls the people in Chicago “animals.” Stephanie says it is okay because she is a leader and under her leadership, we saw the biggest WrestleMania ever, the evolution of the Women’s division, the birth of The Shield, Kevin Owens, The New Day, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Charlotte and AJ Styles. She said the biggest accomplishment was the launch of the WWE Network. Stephanie said she may not be the most popular candidate, but every decision she made was best for business. She adds Shane thinks he can do things better only because he is a man and brings up how he abandoned the fans for 7 years. Stephanie brings up Shane losing his match at WrestleMania against The Undertaker and how his jump off the Hell in a Cell was pure stupidity. She said Shane doesn’t respect the global brand of WWE.

Shane McMahon’s music hits to interrupt Stephanie. A loud “SHANE O MAC” chant breaks out. He asks Stephanie how many headlines she has made on her job of running Monday Night RAW. Shane shows off media headlines praising his work with RAW. Shane says Stephanie shouldn’t take credit for the 1.8 million WWE Network subscribers and how a jump in subscribers took place when he was suddenly added to the card. He wants to discuss his departure 7 years ago. “Basically, my voice wasn’t being heard.” Shane said that left a big void and that Stephanie running RAW with Triple H was a giant ego play. “You nearly burned the thing all the way down to the ground.” He said he is back to make sure this place is still around for the McMahon children. Shane asks Vince to listen to him and they – the fans – all speak for him. Shane puts his mic in the air as the fans cheer loudly in Chicago. Vince yells at everyone to shut up. Shane takes a quick poll. Shane gets big cheers and Stephanie gets boos. Vince plays along with the poll and puts his hand over his head getting boos as well.

Vince brings up Shane losing at WrestleMania and how he is only here because he has allowed it. He admits Shane didn’t fall flat on his face running RAW in recent weeks. Vince makes it clear tonight is about him and what he wants. He says figuratively speaking he wants to see blood between Shane and Stephanie. Vince reveals both Shane and Stephanie will run Monday Night RAW and it is up to them to “figure it out.” He smiles and leaves the ring. Stephanie is not pleased and Shane asks Vince if he is serious. Shane extends his hand to Stephanie. Stephanie shakes his hand.

A video package runs hyping Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles tonight.

Michael Cole has an update regarding Enzo Amore. We see footage of him getting legitimately knocked out bouncing his head off the second rope and hitting the third rope on the way down. Amore has been diagnosed with a concussion and all other tests have come back negative. They hope to have more for RAW tomorrow.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles

Big reaction for AJ Styles in Chicago. Negative reaction for WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns during his entrance. We got ring introductions for the challenger AJ Styles and champion Roman Reigns before the match.

The bell rings, lock up and Reigns pushes Styles away quickly. Styles with headlocks on Reigns. Reigns fights out of each and Styles with a kick to the leg of Reigns on the second escape. Styles with more body kicks chopping Reigns down. Styles tosses Reigns through the ropes and Reigns takes a break at ringside. Back inside, Reigns pushes Styles to the corner and Styles avoids getting stuck in the corner. Styles bails out and dares Reigns to get out of the ring with him. Reigns chases Styles down and Styles catches Reigns with a series of kicks and stomps. Styles with elbows to Reigns. Reigns levels Styles with a big shoulder tackle. Reigns with elbows to Styles. Reigns with a clothesline that levels Styles. Reigns dumps Styles down in a quick powerbomb. Reigns shows off his power easily lifting Styles back up and dropping him with a sitdown powerbomb for a two count. Styles catches Reigns with a kick to the head when Reigns goes for a Superman punch. Styles with a snapmare and running forearm to Reigns. Reigns catches Styles on his shoulders from the top rope. Styles rolls through and gets the Calf Crusher applied. Reigns gets to the bottom rope to break it up. Styles with a jumping elbow knocking Reigns off the ring apron. Styles springboards off the top rope and catches Reigns with his flying forearm crashing over Reigns through the announce table at ringside! The referee starts the count. Styles tries tossing Reigns back in before the referee reaches the 10 count. Styles almost gets Reigns back in at 8, but Reigns falls back down. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner via count out: AJ Styles
Still WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Roman Reigns

Shane McMahon’s music hits. Shane says this is how things may have ended in the previous era, but not tonight. He orders the match to be restarted with no count outs.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship
No Count Outs
Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles

Back inside the ring, AJ Styles with more elbows and body shots. Styles with a Pele Kick on Reigns. Styles gets Reigns near the corner, goes up to the top rope, Styles attempts a 450 Splash and Reigns gets his knees up. Reigns covers Styles and Styles is able to kick out. Styles goes back up top, jumps and Reigns catches him with a low blow on the way down. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner via DQ: AJ Styles
Still WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Roman Reigns

Stephanie McMahon comes out and restarts the match under No DQ rules.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship
No DQ Rules, No Count Outs
Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles

Styles with forearms and chops to Reigns. Reigns puts Styles up on the top rope and Reigns levels him with a huge right hand that sends Styles falling to the outside. Reigns tosses Styles over the ring barricade into the crowd. Styles with a jumping clothesline on Reigns sending him over the barricade and nearly over the announce table. Styles tosses Reigns back inside the ring. Styles jumps up on the top rope in a springboard attempting his flying forearm. Reigns catches Styles in mid air with a Superman punch! Reigns covers Styles and Styles somehow kicks out! Reigns can’t believe it. Reigns with a second Superman to Styles. Reigns is getting ready for his spear when Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson show up pulling Styles out of the ring. Gallows and Anderson attack Reigns getting him down and stomping away. Gallows gets Reigns up on his shoulders and Anderson connects with a big kick to Reigns. Styles is just starting to recover at ringside as Gallows and Anderson yell at him to get the job done. Styles is out of it recovering up on the ring apron. Styles connects with his springboard flying forearm. Styles hooks the leg of Reigns and Reigns gets his foot on the bottom rope at the last second. The Usos run down and start brawling with Gallows and Anderson. Styles is up top and Reigns pushes him off. Styles crashes over Gallows, Anderson and The Usos at ringside. Reigns hits the ropes, leaps over the top rope and takes out everyone at ringside. Styles out of no where with a flying forearm to Reigns off the ring barricade! Styles tosses Reigns back inside the ring. Styles with a springboard 450 splash connecting over Reigns, hooks the leg and Reigns kicks out! Styles goes for the Styles Clash. Reigns counters out sending Styles to the ring apron. Styles blocks a Superman punch dropping Reigns off the top rope. Back inside the ring, Styles attempts another springboard forearm, Reigns avoids it and Reigns catches Styles with a spear and gets the pinfall to retain his title.

Winner and still WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Roman Reigns

After the match, we see highlights from the match leading to the finish. Back live, we see a shot of Roman Reigns taking a seat inside the ring and putting the WWE World Heavyweight Championship over his shoulder. Reigns stands up and holds up the title staring down Styles taking in his victory.

Backstage, we see Vince, Shane and Stephanie watching. He applauds Shane for restarting the match and thinks Stephanie made the right call as well. Vince asks if they think AJ should get a rematch. Shane and Stephanie agree. Stephanie brings up Extreme Rules in three weeks. Shane agrees and thinks Styles and Reigns should have an Extreme Rules match at Extreme Rules on May 22 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. We see another live shot of Reigns as the show comes to a close.