WWE Payback PPV results
June 16, 2013
Chicago, Ill.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Second Hour Results

In-ring: Alberto Del Rio was introduced to the ring with the crowd still buzzing about the RVD announcement prior to this match. Dolph Ziggler's music hit to a big reaction, bringing out the World champion with A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston. Once everyone was assembled in the ring, Lilian Garcia handled formal ring introductions for the World Title match.

4 -- World Hvt. champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Divas champion A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston) vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO (w/Ricardo Rodriguez)

Loud "Let's Go Ziggler" chant as the bell sounded to begin the match with Ziggler tentative to lock up, selling the effects of a long lay-off from singles action following his concussion in May. Early on, Ziggler bailed from the ring a few times to avoid contact with Del Rio. The crowd then picked up an "R-V-D" chant.

Ringside, Big E. Langston got involved, prompting the referee to give Big E. the boot from ringside. Back in the ring, Ziggler continued to sell the effects of his concussion, with Del Rio pulling a Mickie James targeting the injured body part. The announcers sold Ziggler possibly needing to just give up this match, but Ziggler responded out of nowhere with offense to temporarily silence Del Rio. But, Del Rio came back with a strike to the head and backstabber for a nearfall.

At 8:30, Del Rio called for the cross arm-breaker, but Ziggler blocked. Ziggler then nailed the Fameasser, but didn't connect in full, allowing Del Rio to kick out in-time. Ziggler again sold head pain, prompting the ref to ask if he wants to give up. JBL said Ziggler wants to prove that he has a Rudy T. heart of a champion, so the match continued. Del Rio then dropped Ziggler on his head with a reverse DDT from the corner, but Ziggler kicked out just in-time.

At 11:00, Del Rio smashed Ziggler in the head with a kick strike, which sent Ziggler crashing to the floor. A.J. and the ringside medic checked on Ziggler, who pushed everyone away. Del Rio then smashed Ziggler in the head and told everyone to back away. Ricardo then encouraged Del Rio to get Ziggler back in the ring as A.J. screamed for Ziggler's health.

Back in the ring, Del Rio measured Ziggler for a kick to the head and connected. Del Rio covered, but Ziggler kicked out again, popping the crowd for Ziggler. Double-turn in the works here. Del Rio freaked out, then began unloading on Ziggler's head, frustrated with his inability to put away Ziggler. The crowd booed Del Rio, leading to Lawler saying the crowd is turning on Del Rio. Lawler said Ziggler is showing a never-say-die attitude.

Del Rio cockily posed in the corner, then Ziggler suddenly dropped Del Rio with Zig-Zag, popping the crowd. But, Ziggler was too injured to make a cover. Ziggler then stood up, Del Rio popped him in the head, and Ziggler slumped down to the mat. Del Rio covered, the announcers sold dejection, and it was a good for a three count, with no reverse psychology.

Post-match, The announcers played it up as Del Rio doing what he had to do become champion, while Ziggler tried to fight through the effects of the concussion. After showing Ziggler selling tears, WWE replayed the finish, including A.J.'s sympathetic reaction to Ziggler losing. Back live, the ringside medic checked on Ziggler, who was near-tears. On-stage, Del Rio and Ricardo drew boos posing with the title belt. Back ringside, A.J. cried as Ziggler was helped out of the ring. A.J., clutching her Divas Title belt, watched as Ziggler continued to stumble ringside. Will A.J. stay by her man or stay heel by pursuing another man with a title?

WINNER: Del Rio at 13:49 to capture the World Title. Obviously not the best match of Ziggler's career, but it was all about storytelling to book a double-turn for Del Rio and Ziggler. But, if Jack Swagger is next in-line for a title shot, who's the face? (**1/4)

Studio: Josh Mathews buried the Chicago Cubs, saying that the Cubs will probably never win a World Series, but there have been three title changes tonight. As the panel was about to react to Del Rio being like a shark in the water tonight, Del Rio interrupted on the mic.

On-stage: Alberto Del Rio declared himself new World champ to boos. WWE showed multiple camera shots of the crowd booing Del Rio, who asked Chicago for their support as he begins his World Title reign. The crowd continued to boo Del Rio, who continued to ask for their support. Ricardo then introduced Del Rio as World champ to boos.

Video Package: C.M. Punk returns tonight. And Chris Jericho will meet him in the ring.

In-ring: After a pause, Chris Jericho's music played to bring out Jericho bouncing to the ring with some pro-Jericho fans in the crowd. After a pause, the crowd chanted, "C-M Punk," while Jericho stood in the ring surveying the crowd. Cult of Personality then played to a huge pop. WWE captured the pro-Punk fans in the crowd, then C.M. Punk slowly walked out on-stage with Paul Heyman by his side. Punk's head was covered by a Gracie hoodie, then Punk knelt down on-stage, checked Heyman's watch, removed the head, and noted it's Clobberin' Time.

As Punk walked to the ring, the camera focused on Punk sporting Hugh Jackman's Wolverine look with scruffy-looking hair as if he just got out of bed. Punk was sporting Chicago Blackhawks shin-guards as his kickpads tonight. In the ring, the camera got a good look at Punk's face, which showed the eyes of someone who appears to have aged five years since WrestleMania. Punk soaked up the crowd reaction, which was nearly Money in the Bank 2011 level. Punk smiled and posed, then removed his t-shirt and circled the ring before the bell sounded.

5 -- C.M. PUNK (w/Paul Heyman) vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Punk and Jericho felt each other in the early-going, then Punk gained control momentarily. Ringside, Heyman stood up straight like a proud father, then Jericho quickly regained control on Punk, who sold not being the same as before. Punk sold being completely blown up about 8:00 in, which the announcers noted. Punk then nailed a corner knee, paused to shout, "Vintage Punk," and went for the bulldog, but Jericho blocked and slammed him for a nearfall. Heyman sold concern ringside as the announcers wondered if this is too much, too soon for Punk.

Punk teased the GTS at 9:30, but Jericho blocked and slapped on the Walls of Jericho. Heyman freaked out as his client sold nearly tapping out, but Punk rolled onto his back to escape. Punk then transitioned to a standing vice submission. Jericho slapped Punk's gut to escape, but Punk flowed into the Vice as Heyman raised his arms toward the ceiling at ringside. Heyman sounded like a bird repeating, "Tap, tap, tap," over and over. Jericho then reached the bottom rope with his feet to force a break.

As Lawler stressed the importance of this match for both wrestlers, Punk came to his feet and teased the GTS, shouted, "Blackhawks in 7," and Jericho slipped out. Heyman suddenly slipped onto the ring apron, drawing a look from Jericho. Punk used it to his advantage, but then Heyman's presence temporarily distracted Punk. Heyman decided to slip to the outside, then Punk slowly tried to scoop up Jericho, but Jericho nailed the Codebreaker for a nearfall.

At 14:00, Jericho pounded away at Punk, telling him to stay down. The crowd picked up a Punk chant as Punk went reeling around the ring selling the effects of Jericho's blows. They traded bombs, then Punk nailed a leaping heel kick. Corner knee. Running clothesline. Punk then climbed to the top for a Macho Man elbow drop and connected. Punk wanted to end it with the GTS, and he connected. Punk covered, but Jericho kicked out, stunning the crowd.

At 16:00, Punk sold shock, then asked Heyman what happened. Heyman had no answers, then the crowd chanted, "One more time." Punk played along, then slowly lifted up Jericho for another GTS, but Jericho elbowed out. Jericho tried the Codebreaker, but Punk pushed him away before clotheslining Jericho over the top rope to the outside. Punk then flew through the ropes with a suicide dive to the outside. Both men sold on the outside as the ringside fans pulled an ROH by slapping the guardrail.

Back in the ring at 17:40, Punk tried a springboard clothesline, but Jericho intercepted with a mid-air Codebreaker. Heyman freaked out ringside, then Jericho rolled over Punk and covered him for a nearfall. Jericho, stunned, collected himself against the ropes before punching and pounding Punk. Jericho then tried the Daniel Bryan elbow strikes to the neck, which Punk absorbed. Jericho walked around the ring, then slowly set up for the Walls of Jericho, but Punk rolled into a small package for a nearfall.

At 19:20, they came to their feet and traded bombs. Jericho then grappled Punk and flipped him onto his stomach with the Walls of Jericho. In the background, Heyman got down on his knees and asked for forgiveness as Punk teased tapping out. The ref asked Punk what he wants to do as Heyman circled to the other side of the ring to plead with Punk not to tap. Punk fed off a loud chant to elbow Jericho, but Jericho transferred to a half-Boston Crab. Punk finally escaped, but Jericho grabbed an Anklelock. Punk punched out, then slapped away at Jericho's back.

Punk suddenly flowed into the GTS, which sent Jericho reeling into the corner. Punk, fired up, nailed another GTS, smashing Jericho right in the mouth with the double-combo. This one was good for the three count, setting off a celebration in the crowd.

Post-match, Heyman entered the ring to check on Punk as Lawler noted Heyman absolutely needed this match. Heyman continued to talk in Punk's ear as Punk looked down at the mat catching his breath. Punk eventually told Heyman something, causing Heyman to pause, then blow off the comments. Punk stood tall in the ring as Heyman applauded in the background. Punk left the ring on his own to conclude his comeback match.

WINNER: Punk at 21:21. Another great match in their series. It was interesting early on how WWE was going to play this match because Punk was so casual that it made you wonder if the story was going to be Punk didn't want to come back, was sandbagging the match, and was going to take a loss to stick it to Heyman. Then, it became whether Punk was just rusty, then it became whether Heyman was going to turn on Punk. Then, it just ended up being a great battle between Punk and Jericho. (***1/2)

THIRD HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

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