(September 3, 2023) - WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins defended his title in a hard-fought main event against Edge. The two longtime rivals delivered a spectacular performance with Rollins ultimately retaining his championship after executing his signature move the Stomp.
The night's other headline match featured the Judgment Day tag team of Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest, who emerged victorious by defeating Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair and Finn Balor, securing the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships. Ripley and Priest's teamwork proved to be the key to their success, with Ripley pinning Belair to claim the coveted titles.
Fans were treated to a series of exciting contests throughout the event. Bobby Lashley triumphed over Omos in a thrilling tables match, while Becky Lynch successfully retained her SmackDown Women's Championship against Liv Morgan. In addition, the Judgment Day faction, represented by Edge and Tommaso Ciampa, outperformed AJ Styles and Finn Balor in a highly-anticipated six-man tag team bout.
The night's main event showed a long-awaited rematch between Rollins and Edge, following their previous encounter at WrestleMania 38, where Rollins emerged as the victor. Edge had been seeking redemption at Payback, and he came remarkably close to achieving it.
The bout remained evenly matched throughout, with Edge putting Rollins on the brink of defeat on multiple occasions. However, Rollins displayed resilience and determination, ultimately sealing the win with his signature Stomp maneuver.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Rollins, as he has now successfully defended his championship against two of WWE's biggest names. As for the next challenger for the Universal Championship, the future remains uncertain, but Rollins has conveyed his readiness to face any worthy adversary.
In the other highly-anticipated matchup of the evening, the Judgment Day duo of Ripley and Priest continued to assert their dominance by defeating Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair and Finn Balor. Ripley and Priest have proven to be an indomitable team since joining forces, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in WWE.
Overall, WWE Payback 2023 was a resounding success with thrilling main events and exciting undercard matches. WWE continues to impress fans, with Payback serving as another testament to the promotion's ongoing commitment to delivering top-notch entertainment.
