WWE Payback 2023: 10 Things That Must Happen

8. Rey Mysterio Retains

WWE Payback 2023 Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

Initially, this guy thought putting the United States Title back on Austin Theory could be fun, but no. He's been there, done that, and Theory definitely needs to do something else in 2024. Penning a Mysterio win and then maybe starting some tension between Rey and Santos Escobar is one suggestion.

WWE definitely don’t need to rush that story though either.

They've got time on their side here, and could actually ride an LWO implosion all the way to next year's WrestleMania. Why not? The Bloodline imploded, and Judgment Day is doing the same. So, Rey and Santos warring might get lost in the mix if WWE sprints through it in a month or two.

They can, however, start teasing that more after Mysterio topples Austin again. Post-Payback, WWE has to prioritise developing Theory's character and squeezing more from him than they have been doing. For now though, keep that US strap where it is.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.