10 Last-Minute WWE Payback 2017 Rumours You Need To Know
The return of Broken Matt Hardy?
This Sunday, WWE presents Payback, the company's first Pay-Per-View event since WrestleMania. Unlike the "Backlash" show of yesteryear, Payback isn't typically riddled with WrestleMania rematches designed to continue storylines and pop a buyrate. No, these days, WrestleMania is built around so many part-time stars that after the show of shows, WWE must rely upon full-time talent, even if they don't have the same name recognition as Brock Lesnar or The Undertaker.
Still, the company has managed to put together a card for Payback that, while not a blow-away lineup, is still full of programs that have been built up rather well. The main event of the show is expected to be a Fastlane rematch between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, while Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt will finally end their program in a "House of Horrors" match. Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins will also do battle, a fight that's been inevitable ever since Joe hurt Rollins in January.
Apart from that, what can fans expect? Well, even for a typical wrestling show, with all of the swerves and plot twists, this card seems difficult to predict. Nevertheless, here are 10 last-minute rumors you need to know for Payback, ranked from least plausible to most plausible:
10. Chris Jericho Joins Smackdown
Another long-gestating program that will get a blowoff at Payback will be the feud between Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens. Once best friends, Owens attacked Jericho after Y2J accepted a Universal Title match with Goldberg on Owens's behalf. Jericho struck back by distracting Owens during said match, but at WrestleMania, Owens beat Jericho for the United States Championship.
Owens was subsequently drafted to Smackdown in the Superstar Shake-Up, but as Jericho is still owed a title rematch, the two will be clashing for the belt at the Raw-brand PPV. Since Raw now has the Intercontinental Title, it's been stipulated that if Jericho wins the U.S. Title back, he'll have to join the Smackdown roster.
That won't happen. Not only does Jericho rarely win major matches, but he's going to be touring with Fozzy next month, starting with a show on May 5. The tour isn't particularly long and Jericho's already been advertised for shows after it ends, but he's taking a break, and he certainly won't be winning the U.S. Title beforehand.