Payback 2013 Title Matches

The Intercontinental Championship match for Payback was originally supposed to be Fandango vs. Miz vs. Wade Barrett. An injury took Fandango out. Had it not been for that injury, Fandango was the favorite to walk out with the title. Given the attention he has gotten thanks to that fad, a title run would be a good way to continue pushing him. Miz didn't seem likely to take the title. Miz has been away here and there in the last 12 months, but he has still managed to win the Intercontinental Championship twice. Another reign from the guy he already traded the title with was not likely. Enter Curtis Axel. He is taking Fandango's place. If they are developing this guy as something special, there is no doubt that they are not going to have him lose so soon. All his wins against stars above him have been flukes, but they do not seem to want to bury him. A title reign is likely for him. Even though this was one of the last people I would want to see get this big of a push, this is the kind of guy I would like to see hold the Intercontinental title. I don't like seeing former World Champions holding midcard singles titles too much. And I also don't like seeing the same people winning those titles. Moreover, Curtis Axel isn't the kind of guy I picture them handing the title to and then losing him in the shuffle easily. I actually think the WWE would do a good job with a title run for him.

Dolph Ziggler has returned to defend his title against Alberto Del Rio. Based on how boringly this feud has been handled while Ziggler was out, it would be easy for me to say that Del Rio won't win it. If he was going to win it, they would develop him better. On the other hand, how good to go is Ziggler? If he is not, they may put the title back on Del Rio more out of necessity than actually wanting to. Having a World Champion that can go in the ring is worth more than having one that cannot.

John Cena vs. Ryback. Three Stages of Hell. This match will most likely end the feud. Who wins? The answer to that one is obvious. But should Ryback win it? Does he deserve to be the first new World Champion in the WWE in over a year? If this was back when he was feuding with CM Punk, my answer would be different. He had so much momentum back then. That would have been the best time to give him the WWE Championship, even though it would mean giving CM Punk's big title reign a sooner demise. Now, however, Ryback does not have that same momentum anymore. He is there to put Cena over. Not that it matters, but if I were to predict who takes each fall, Cena wins the first, Ryback wins the second, and Cena wins the third to retain the title. What about the potential swerve of CM Punk hiding in the ambulance? He doesn't show up for his match with Jericho, but does show up later in the main event. That is an idea many fans have mentioned. It can be a way to restart the feud between CM Punk and Cena. That epic feud between the two started around this time of year. What better time to restart it? I'm not expecting any swerves in the main event. Let's just see what happens.