WWE Payback 2023 is scheduled to air live on September 2, 2023, from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. John Cena is hosting WWE Payback 2023. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens will be defending their titles against Judgment Day. Seth Rollins will put his title on the line against Nakamura. Let us have a recap of September 2, by looking into WWE Payback 2023 Results, Highlights, and Grades.
WWE Payback 2023: Match Card:
| Matches | Winners | Grades |
| Steel Cage Match: Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus | Becky Lynch | A+ |
| LA Knight vs. The Miz featuring John Cena as special guest referee | LA Knight | A |
| United States Championship: Austin Theory vs. Rey Mysterio | Rey Mysterio | C+ |
| Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. Damian Priest & Finn Balor | Damian Priest & Finn Balor | A+ |
| WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez | Rhea Ripley | B |
| World Heavyweight Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins | Seth Rollins | A |
WWE Payback Results 2023: Steel Cage Match: Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus
With her right hand, Lynch repeatedly slams Trish into the turnbuckles while Stratus searches for an easy exit through the door and then climbs the cage. A trio of explosions follows! Trish knocks down Stratus as she is drawn up and vying for position over the wall. Lynch gets a front chance as Trish Stratus sits back up, starts tossing headbutts, and tries to release her legs. Superplex Hanging off the Cage But Trish gets a shoulder up!
Trish nearly makes it out the door, Becky chases after her, and Zoey Stark descends to play tug-of-war with her mentor in stereotypical escape attempts.
Lynch fully pulls Stratus in, Zoey smashes the door in her face, almost falls, ducks the Chick Kick, manhandles the Slam, and Stark breaks it up! While Stark is inside with Becky, they slam the door shut and start throwing punches at each other wildly. Lynch defeats her after exchanging blows with Stratus in the turnbuckles.
Stratus confronts Stark following the match and slaps her! Closing the door, Zoey presses the Z360 on the legend.
Winner – Becky Lynch
Grades – A+
LA Knight vs. The Miz featuring John Cena as special guest referee
The Miz makes fun of John Cena’s part in the Barbie movie and queries why he agreed to officiate their match. The Miz continues that, at his age, John Cena dresses like a teletubby.
Initially, as the bell sounds, Miz declines to enter the ring. The A-Lister plays mind tricks on LA Knight as he runs at him while walking around the ring. Knight counters it as the former WWE Champion prepares for the skull-crushing finish. The Miz obtains the upper hand, smashes his opponent with the DDT, and then attempts another unsuccessful pin.
Also read: LA Knight is a proficient wrestler to oust Roman Reigns
As Knight tries to roll up a pin from behind, The Miz challenges John Cena about his refereeing abilities. The A-Lister makes fun of John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” motion. He attempts a pin, but Knight kicks out. He then hits Knight with the skull-crushing finish. Then, LA Knight hits The Miz, striking him with a blunt force trauma pins him for the victory,
Winner – LA Knight
Grades- A
WWE Payback Results 2023: United States Championship: Austin Theory vs. Rey Mysterio
At the sound of the bell, Austin Theory drives Mysterio into a corner. Before throwing a few punches at Theory on the top rope, the champion avoids a few moves. The champion is knocked off his feet when Austin Theory strikes him with a clothesline. Theory receives a moonsault from Rey Mysterio off the top rope. As the two continue to exchange punches, the former champion exits the ring.
With a sliding dropkick, the Master of the 619 strikes his adversary. The champion gains the upper hand in the contest as the two men enter the ring once more. After hitting Austin Theory with the 619, Rey Mysterio attempts to vault over the rope, but his opponent is on his knees.
The winner is The Master of 619, who avoids Theory’s smash and pins him.
Winner – Rey Mysterio
Grades – C+
Backstage
Backstage NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton interrupts Cathy Kelley as she prepares to interview Becky Lynch after her match. This week, she invites The Man on the program and declares herself to be the best NXT champion.
WWE Payback Results 2023: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. Damian Priest & Finn Balor (Pittsburgh Steel City Street Fight)
As soon as the bell sounds, all participants begin fighting. Priest pursues Kevin Owens as they struggle to get onto the ramp. Near the ring, Sami Zayn and Finn Balor are engaged in combat. Sami Zayn takes out the chairs as Balor moves to the opposite side of the ring and strikes his opponent with a kendo stick. Balor gets hit by KO with a clothesline before being struck by a stick as Priest steps in to help.
Dominik Mysterio intervenes in the four men’s favor as they carry their altercation through the crowd. As Sami Zayn and KO appear wearing field hockey jerseys and charging the trio with sticks, The Judgment Day devises a plan. In order to continue attacking Damian Priest and Finn Balor, they first attack the little Mysterio.
On top of a pile of steel chairs in the ring, Sami Zayn delivers a blue thunderbomb to Finn Balor. The prince kicks out when he follows it up with a pin. Priest rushes in and uses his hockey stick to beat up the winners. Outside the ring, a fired-up KO battles the Judgment Day.
Dom Dom is struck by a swanton bomb as KO scales the barrier. Priest pins Zayn after returning to the ring, but Zayn kicks out. After receiving a Helluva kick from Zayn, JD McDonagh stops Priest from being pinned. KO fights with McDonagh outside the ring while also rushing in to save his tag team partner.
Kevin Owens is stabbed through the barrier by Rhea Ripley, who suddenly appears. Sami rolls out of the way of the Coup de Grace and does a corner exploder suplex! Helluva Kick, Shirt off… With a Shot From the Money in the Bank Briefcase, Dominick Breaks It Up! FINN STUDS ON SAMI.
Winner – NEW WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions Finn Balor and Damian Priest
Grades – A+
Grayson Waller Effect featuring Cody Rhodes as a special guest
Waller disturbs The American Nightmare as he prepares to begin the talk show with his well-known line and discusses his upcoming announcement. In response, Cody Rhodes says Waller might be rubbing him the wrong way if he thinks a match will result from it.
Jey Uso, who appears on the Grayson Waller Effect, is the newest member of RAW, as announced by Cody Rhodes. Jey Uso superkicks Grayson Waller after he trash-talks him and insists that he should be the one to push for the main event.
Also read: Cody Rhodes grants a heartwarming Make-A-Wish, WWE Fans react to the touching act
Grades – A+
WWE Payback Results 2023: WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Before putting Raquel opponent in a sidelock, Rhea Ripley denigrates the person. By heaving her off her feet, Rodriguez demonstrates his incredible strength. As Ripley is being cornered, Raquel punches her hard. After a clothesline and powerslam, Rodriguez strikes her in the back.
When Rodriguez attempts to climb the top rope, Ripley kicks her in the spine, causing her to fall. Then, Rhea Ripley positions Raquel Rodriguez for a submission maneuver aimed at her hurt knee. The submit attempt is broken when her opponent successfully grabs the bottom rope. Outside of the ring, the champion keeps hitting the damaged knee of her rival.
Rhea Ripley is forcefully slammed by Raquel Rodriguez against the barricade and then the post. Dominik Mysterio shows up at the ring’s edge and is forced inside. Utilizing the diversion, Rhea Ripley kicks Raquel Rodriguez’s injured knee. She pins her for victory after hitting her with the riptide.
Winner – Rhea Ripley
Grades – B
John Cena interviews Judgment Day, The New Undisputed Tag Team Champions
John Cena interviews Judgment Day. As Cena announces his decision to assume the role of correspondent and speak with the newly crowned tag team champions, John Cena is dressed in a blazer and bow tie. Damian Priest states they’re family, brothers fight, they’re on the same page, and nothing can stop them as Finn Balor performs “The champs are here.” As they have all the gold, Balor declares that it is time to go celebrate.
WWE Payback 2023 Results: World Heavyweight Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins
The men exchange submission moves, with Nakamura taking control with a headlock. Rollins retaliates with chest chops and a corner kick. He then executes a suicide dive onto Nakamura outside the ring. Nakamura counters Rollins’ pedigree attempt and focuses on injuring his back. Rollins strikes Nakamura on the announcer’s table, but Nakamura trips him and flings him into the barricade. Nakamura rolls Rollins into the ring and attempts a pin, but Rollins kicks out.
The Visionary regains his strength and positions Nakamura for a superplex off the top rope, but instead transitions it into a hurricanrana, landing awkwardly on his spine. Undeterred, The Visionary prepares for the stomp, but Nakamura counters with a knee strike from the top rope. To further weaken Rollins’ back, Nakamura executes multiple suplexes.
The King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura, sets up his signature move, the kinshasa, but is unexpectedly met with a superkick to the face by the reigning champion, Seth Rollins. Undeterred, Nakamura quickly transitions into an armbar, applying pressure as Rollins struggles to escape. Seizing the opportunity, Nakamura climbs up to the top rope, executing a powerful powerslam on Rollins.
Despite nursing his injured back after a failed pin, the resilient champion tries to get back up, only to collapse once again. Taking advantage of Rollins’ weakened state, Nakamura successfully hits the kinshasa. However, Rollins, displaying his agility and quick thinking, manages to shift his weight, countering Nakamura’s attack. Certainly, With a confident and calculated move, Rollins, known as “The Visionary,” delivers a devastating stomp to The King of Strong Style, followed by a pin for the well-deserved victory.
Winner – Seth Rollins
Grades – A
