WWE Payback 2017: Assessing The Potential Quality Of All 8 Matches

5. Chris Jericho Vs. Kevin Owens - WWE United States Title Match

Randy Orton Bray Wyatt
WWE.com

The WrestleMania 33 match between Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens was a victim of circumstance.

Ultimately, it was an undercard attraction. It didn't matter that the Festival of Friendship was the best angle WWE had promoted in years, or that the tension had been percolating for months to ensure maximum audience investment; the match was presented and thus received as literal notch below the real feature attractions.

It was well-worked enough, even if the first half was flatter and more methodical than the heated wider storyline demanded. The brutal, apron-centric offence of the closing stretch unglued a crowd worn out by the lengthy stunt show that was AJ Styles Vs. McMahon, and there was a great moment of continuity and suspense when Owens reached the rope with only his outstretched finger. But it was only very good in patches.

In Orlando, there was no clear winner, even if the odds were skewed heavily in favour of Kevin Owens. Jericho was pencilled in for more dates beyond 'Mania. The sequel has the (presumed) luxury of more focus and a more flattering slot - but the heat of the feud has receded in parallel with any notion that Jericho might emerge victorious.

There's simply no way that Owens, with his new Face of America Open Challenge bit, isn't retaining the US gold. Not for the first time, the Jericho Vs. Owens programme has been undermined by the prize for which it has been contested.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!