6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE Payback 2023 (Results & Review)

1. A Glorious Car Crash

What can you say about the Undisputed Tag Team Championship match between Judgment Day and Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn?

As a match, it’s not going to be regarded as a five-star technical classic. But as a pure chaotic, frenzied brawl, this was a fantastic piece of business. The defending tag champs have been portrayed as dominant and able to overcome almost every bit of adversity, so naturally, it took Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Rhea Ripley to finally topple Zayn & Owens.

Along the way, tables got broken, chairs swung, trash cans dented and bodies flying everywhere. It was an orgy of activity. KO and Sami almost overcame the numbers Saturday, with Owens putting Dominik through a table with a senton from the crowd at one point. But it was Mysterio who proved the difference-maker, dropping Sami with the Money in the Bank briefcase.

The end of the Canadians’ five-month title reign was disappointing from a fan’s perspective, but Judgment Day is on top of its game and kind of needed some validation. There’s no shame in losing what essentially was a 5-on-2 handicap match.