7 Reasons I Regret Staying Up To Watch WWE Payback 2016

4. The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

roman reigns wwe champion payback
WWE.com

WWE took a great step at WrestleMania 32 regarding women's wrestling in the company, as the 'divas' name was dropped in favour of something far more respectful. A much-improved championship belt was also introduced, and Charlotte went on to win it in a fantastic match against Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch. Finally, it seemed that the focus in the division would be where it should, on the women wrestlers themselves.

Fast forward to Payback and you have a title match between Charlotte and Natalya where the two competitors fighting over the belt are secondary to two legendary male performers and their shenanigans on the outside. This big match over a championship belt that needs further establishment was essentially about two males, both of whom are long-retired.

Ric Flair's interference in Charlotte's matches is a constant source of frustration, but there is still a sense that he will get his comeuppance in the end. If that manifests as receiving a sharpshooter from Bret Hart, it will all have been for naught.

Contributor
Contributor

Born in the middle of Wales in the middle of the 1980's, John can't quite remember when he started watching wrestling but he has a terrible feeling that Dino Bravo was involved. Now living in Prague, John spends most of his time trying to work out how Tomohiro Ishii still stands upright. His favourite wrestler of all time is Dean Malenko, but really it is Repo Man. He is the author of 'An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery', the best book about the Slavic people that you haven't yet read. You can get that and others from www.poshlostbooks.com.