Review for WWE Payback 2014

Payback is a very surprisingly enjoyable PPV. There are many times when I watch the WWE PPVs when I think that apart from the odd two or three matches it does not have anything that I would want to watch again. But this was a PPV that I may actually watch a few times. It has two solid main event matches and a lot of other little matches that I really enjoyed.

It is true that the whole thing with Daniel Bryan probably should have been saved for a Raw as it just ground the whole show to a halt. However, it is a pretty good segment and anytime you see a crowd chanting Yes it is an amazing sight. Plus always great to see Brie Bella and Stephanie McMahon.

US Championship Match between Sheamus vs. Cesaro was a great match with one of the best and most surprising endings I have seen in a while. Cody Rhodes and Goldust vs. Ryback and Curtis Axel is a fine tag match, not exactly a PPV match and probably should have been a Number 1 Contenders match to make it feel more special. But a good showing from both teams.

Big E vs. Rusev is ok, but too short. My real issue is that the whole Russia-angle is starting to get a little tasteless and reminding me almost of the use of the Iraq war in 1991 with Sgt Slaughter. I will not be surprised if this is dropped soon enough. But I got to admit Lana is stupidly hot.

Kofi Kingston vs. Bo Dallas? Well, it didn't really happen and was just an excuse to show Kane. Makes me ask the question why not just book Kane in the match?Intercontinental Championship between Bad News Barrett vs. Rob Van Dam is a great match and certainly enjoyable to see Barrett and RVD in a pretty entertaining match. Divas Championship of Paige vs. Alicia Fox is probably the only letdown for the night. It's not awful, but certainly not a great match and just didn't feel good.

Last Man Standing Match between John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt is a bit of a mess, but I think it needed to be. In the PG era of no chairshots to the head it couldn't be like the ones Mick Foley would be involved in. Instead this felt more real and the interruptions by the Usos and the Wyatts made it very exciting to watch. This wasn't going to be a match that ends with one move, but the ending is awesome.

No Holds Barred Elimination Match between The Shield vs. Evolution is definitely how you end the PPV. I do have to ask who chose Batista's blue outfit he looked like he was wearing something designed for the divas? I do love this being an elimination match, but the added 'no holds barred' element destroys all the tag 'rules' element. Why when one of them is getting destroyed doesn't a team member just pile in with a chair? Not like the ref can do anything about it?

This match is filled with crazy moments and though I believe it fell apart a little (mainly due to the no holds barred nonsense) it certainly kept me watching. The ending was also a bit of a mess, but I can't deny that I enjoyed it.

The Blu-ray is filled with a wealth of extras from before the PPV and this is good, though more of the Raw/Smackdown from after the PPV would have been good. Interviews with Sheamus, Nikki Bella are fine. Daniel Bryan's confrontation with Stephanie McMahon is also perfect. Also included is The Shield's challenge to Evolution which was a good way to hype the match, as is their contract signing. Bray Wyatt's promo is scary as always and always good to see and his confrontation with Jerry Lawler was even more so.

The Mask vs. Hair match between El Torito and Hornswoggle could have been better and actually with the right build could have been a proper PPV match and not something just for those on Youtube or the Bluray.

The battle royal for the US belt is great, though again this could have been saved for the PPV. John Cena and the Usos against The Wyatts is great and could also easily have been a PPV match. Can't say the same about the Paige against Alicia Fox match which is a bit better than their PPV match, but only because Fox went so crazy?

Payback is a really enjoyable PPV and it seems like I am saying that more often lately. Maybe this is a sign of a change or maybe I am just starting to settle into what WWE are offering. Pushing The Wyatts and The Shield has meant that I don't cringe whenever I see another Randy Orton or John Cena match. It is a shame that Daniel Bryan won't be around for a while, but it is always great to see him. If you want to see some great matches then you this Bluray may be payback for that.