Nerd Watch Wednesday: WWE Payback 2013

Feb 11, 202021 min read

Updated: Jun 3, 2020

Thanks to all of you who read and enjoyed our Cyber Sunday 2006 review last week. We are keeping it Titan this week with the first ever PPV selection from regular contributor Luke Heffernan.

He picked the Payback 2013 which has an average rating of 7.77 on Cagematch, which for a WWE show is irregularly high. Luke himself described this show as 'A forgotten banger' of a card and thanks to WSBF, you can remember it now, including his 1500 word ode to the Dolph Ziggler v Alberto Del Rio match!

Spoiler: It's very good.

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: WADE BARRETT (C) v THE MIZ v CURTIS AXEL

By Ross Casey

I remember watching this match live back in 2013 and being really impressed, so I am looking forward to seeing it again now as I don't recall the intricacies of it.

Curtis Axel's theme features samples from his father's as he arrives with Paul Heyman by his side and commentary mentions he comes into this match on the back of victories over the likes of John Cena. He doesn't get a huge reaction, but he certainly has an air of confidence and believablility that faded all too quick in his career.

The match starts off without the usual two on one trope several triple threats begin with and all three just throw hands until Curtis Axel is thrown to the outside. Paul Heyman tells him to wait there to pick his moment. A lovely touch. I'm all for manager's audibly advising their wrestlers.

JBL is on commentary and the American is waxing lyrical about British sport again, like he always used to do in this era during Wade Barrett matches. Here it is the British Lions and Justin Rose winning The Open and it makes me think of JCH, the Brit who uses NFL references in his wrestling commentary. Thumbs up.

Axel gets thrown out a few more times and bides his time before disposing of Barrett and hitting a decent dropkick on The Miz. He's a heel here, but this being a Chicago and through his allegiance with Heyman, the crowd are fully behind him.

The portion of the match where Axel is dismantling The Miz is far from exciting, but you can't fault Curtis' aggression, whilst commentary do a great job of putting over how Heyman makes his wrestlers believe in themselves. It creates the idea that Axel is legit and it works. For the first time in a long, long time since, he is being presented as a star.

The pace and excitement of the match certainly raise a level or two once all three men are in the ring at the same time, with several big moves, near falls and plenty of crowd interaction. Highlights include a Perfect Plex which garners a fantastic reaction from the crowd, before a break-up from Barrett and a Skull Crushing Finale on Axel from Miz that Barrett tries to steal the pin from. Both were very near falls and the crowd are now whipping up a frenzy at the action.

The finish is fantastically creative, with The Miz putting Wade Barrett in a Figure Four Leglock (his finish at the time) and as Barrett lies back in anguish, Axel sweeps in and pins him. The Miz is unable to stop him from winning, as his legs are entangled with Barrett's. The crowd go absolutely wild for the finish and the title change and so does Axel.

What a simply booked, brilliantly executed opening match. They established Axel as a genuine threat with the genius of Heyman behind him and the match built to a crescendo with a classy closing stretch, which had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands.

They did nothing spectacular in terms of moves, but you don't need it when you have great storytelling - especially in an opener. This was perfection in giving the fans plenty, but leaving them wanting more from the rest of the show. A very good match. Two thumbs up.

WINNER - NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION, CURTIS AXEL BY PAUL HEYMAN GENIUS PIN

DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: KAITLYN (C) v AJ LEE

By Nineties Mike

Where to begin with this then? On an April episode of Raw, AJ Lee won a Divas battle royal, and with it the right to face Kaitlyn for the Divas Championship at Payback. On the following Raw and Smackdown, after a backstage face-off with AJ, Ziggler and Big E Langston, Kaitlyn began receiving gifts from a secret admirer. On the go-home episode of Raw, Kaitlyn's admirer was revealed to be Langston, however it turned out to be an AJ ploy to get inside Kaitlyn's head before their title match.

First out is the Divas champion, Kaitlyn! I forgot how big she was compared to the rest of the Divas. We get a video recap, and Langston REALLY sells the secret admirer angle before dumping Kaitlyn on her behind! AJ calls her trailer trash and a worthless, unlovable cow, so Kaitlyn beats the hell out of her before AJ runs for the hills. Another video package shows Kaitlyn attacking Aksana for laughing at her before absolutely lamping a referee! Out comes AJ with Big E, to a preeeetty big pop, and the ref has to hold Kaitlyn back.

Pretty calm opening for this personal bout it seems, but AJ blows Kaitlyn a kiss and gets a clump for her troubles. Some pretty terrible worked punches before AJ escapes to the outside, only to be followed by the champ. Kaitlyn launches AJ over the Spanish Announce Table, and this has started big. Kaitlyn grabs her and throws her back into the ring. She follows up with some better-looking strikes. AJ rolls out, escapes Kaitlyn’s clutches, and gets the upper hand with a dropkick to the face from the apron. AJ rolls her back in and we get our first pin-fall attempt for a routine two-count.

A choke in the ropes and another pin-fall attempt gets two. AJ locks in a sleeper hold now and has total control, even keeping the momentum when Kaitlyn escapes, gaining another two-count. Two sweet neck-breakers get another two-count, followed by a kick to the face. Kaitlyn tries an Irish whip, but AJ slaps on another sleeper, and though Kaitlyn escapes, AJ gets another kick in to keep the dominance going, and yet another unsuccessful pin-fall attempt. They keep showing Big E on the outside just standing there watching, stroking his chin. He’s a long way from the Big E we know now, and even looks a bit sleazy just standing there observing these two go at it. So to speak.

A dropkick from Kaitlyn might just turn the tide (audible boos from the crowd though), and some power moves see the champ finally get some offense going. AJ attempts a crucifix and gets another two-count, and maintains her grip, but Kaitlyn rolls through and her superior power shows as she lifts AJ and hits a big gut-buster. AJ holds onto the apron, the ref tries to pull Kaitlyn away for the rope break, but just succeeds in pulling Kaitlyn’s belt off! AJ spots the belt, and as the ref has his back turned fixing the apron, wallops Kaitlyn with her own belt! The ref starts counting both Divas, but AJ is first up and gets, yes, yet another two-count. AJ gets frustrated and hysterical and screams.

For some reason she goes up top, despite Kaitlyn being miles away. For some other reason, Kaitlyn walks towards AJ on the top rope, AJ tries a crossbody, but Kaitlyn catches her easily. She spins AJ , looking for some spinning sidewalk slam variation, but AJ catches her in Black Widow! Just as it looks like she might fade, though, Kaitlyn powers out, transitioning into a backbreaker, before going for her spear finisher, and she smashes AJ. She takes her time pinning though, blowing AJ a kiss, and AJ inevitably kicks out at two!

AJ is clearly in Kaitlyn’s head. She goes for another gut-buster, but AJ squirms out for some separation. Another spear attempt, but AJ moves and Kaitlyn hits her face on the turnbuckle pad. AJ waits for her to get to her feet and she locks in the Black Widow again, and Kaitlyn tries to power out, but it’s locked in tight and she has no choice but to tap!

We have a NEEEEW Divas champion, AJ Lee! Mind games win out, and Kaitlyn blew her chances of winning when she blew AJ a kiss, and the rather insensitive Rosemont crowd let her know with “you tapped out” chants. Layla, Natalya and Alicia Fox attempt to console her, but Kaitlyn storms off.

After Payback, the feud continued at Money in the Bank, where AJ (with Big E Langston) defeated Kaitlyn (with Layla) to retain the WWE Divas Championship, and through to Summerslam 2013 where Kaitlyn and Ziggler defeated AJ and Langston in a mixed tag match, ending the feud.

Kaitlyn would retire a year later to focus on her return to the fitness industry; she held the Diva’s title for 153 days. AJ Lee would continue with the company until retiring in April with a spine injury; she held the Divas title three time for a total of 406 days.

While this was sloppy in places, it was fun, short and inoffensive, while also serving as a great reminder of how far the women’s divisions have come in both WWE and NXT.

WINNER - AND NEW DIVAS CHAMPION, AJ LEE BY BLACK WIDOW SUBMISSION

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: DEAN AMBROSE (C) v KANE

By Shafi

I hate this match.

I hate the result.

I hate everything it represents.

I hate how it is the perfect example of one of the biggest flaws in WWE.

I hate how it is an ode to parity booking.

The year is 2013 and Kane is already a future Hall of Famer at least 10 years removed from his peak. His name still carries weight even if he is no longer the unstoppable Big Red Machine. His opponent is Dean Ambrose, a relative up and comer in the hottest new faction - The Shield. He presents as the leader of the hounds of justice and quickly picks up a singles title in the form of the US championship.

As the defending champion here, Dean has the opportunity to really make a mark by convincingly beating a legend whose status is already confirmed and can withstand a loss. Instead he eeks out a count-out victory in the second worst match on the card that does nothing for me, for him, for Kane or for the PPV. Skip this match.

WINNER - STILL UNITED STATES CHAMPION, DEAN AMBROSE BY EEKING OUT A COUNT-OUT VICTORY

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: DOLPH ZIGGLER (C) v ALBERTO DEL RIO

By Luke Heffernan

I'll start things off by saying I think this match is utterly brilliant. So much in fact I have actually done RESEARCH and will be attempting to put some respect on the term 'play-by-play.' But when you're covering Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna and a mixed tag match with X-Pac and Chyna, it's difficult, okay! (Just kidding, shit matches are the best to review.)

Though not particularly long or filled with iconic spots or moments, I see this match as one of WWE's strongest showcase in storytelling I had seen prior or since. Del Rio, Ziggler, AJ, Big E, the commentators and whoever wrote this 13 minutes of theatre have every fan in Chicago and worldwide on absolute strings.

It's set in a (now distant and almost unbelievable) time where Dolph Ziggler was the numero uno internet darling and had recently captured the World Heavyweight Championship by cashing in Money in the Bank on tonight's challenger Alberto Del Rio just two months prior. After holding the gold for just over a month, Ziggler suffered a pretty shite concussion when Jack Swagger simply kicked him in the head and completely halted the champ’s momentum. As a result, Ziggler could not defend his title in May's Extreme Rules and instead sat on the sideline as Del Rio and head kicking Swagger fought for the #1 Contender spot.

Del Rio won and this match was booked for Chicago. Del Rio is in full babyface mode and enters first to a lukewarm reaction from the Chicago faithful (shock). Ziggler follows flanked by Big E (Langston) and AJ Lee to a chorus of cheers despite his cocky heel persona. Introductions are made, the big gold belt is lifted and the bell is rung. Let's go Ziggler is belted round the arena as both men lock up. The 'Showoff' quickly exits the ring and cockily walks around, avoiding the enraged Del Rio. Eventually entering from the opposite side he withdrew from, Ziggler slides in the ring and begins a back and forth exchange with the challenger concluding in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Del Rio. The commentators touch on the possibility of the Champ being rusty, after all it's his first match back after a five-week layoff.

Any time Dolph gets a move in he is immediately cut off by the brutal offence of Alberto. A kick to the head and we get Ziggler holding his head worryingly which is the first showing of the narrative this match will revolve around. Del Rio almost seems sympathetic when the ref seperates him while tending to Dolph but that competitive spirit eventually gets the best of him when he brutally kicks Dolph and begins stomping on the champ's head. This begins a pretty stiff and straight up beating of Ziggler. A big back body drop, multiple knees and multiple closed fists to the head of the downed Ziggler. Dolph dazed on the floor eventually gets some momentum when hitting Del Rio with a gorgeous dropkick on a sudden comeback.

This sadly doesn't last long for the champion as when attempting to splash on Del Rio in the corner, he is yeeted out nastily to the floor. Giving no respite Del Rio immediately seizes the moment and grabs Ziggler by the hair thumping him off the announce table. Big E gets involved at the aid of his defenseless cohort and is ejected. Bit harsh but VAR isn't called for. While this happening the commentators are quick to point out that Dolph is probably getting the longest rest he has since the bell rung. Since then it's been 5 straight minutes of him getting HIS bell rung.

The minute or so rest while Big E is ejected gives the champ some energy and the comeback is on. Returning the favour of the announce table to the face along with some quick rights and lefts Ziggler rolls the challenger in the ring but the real truth is that Dolph does not look good right now. His offence looks sluggish, he's moving almost as if he was intoxicated and AJ Lee looks terrified, even trying to stop him following Del Rio in to the ring.

While slowly entering through the bottom rope, Del Rio welcomes Dolph back to the squared circle with another vicious kick to the skull. Kick after kick after kick after kick after kick follows and Michael Cole perfectly describes the assault as uncomfortable. Del Rio even begins using his own head as a weapon, repeatedly bouncing it off the crown of the Champion's head. After a two count, Del Rio quickly puts Ziggler in to a headlock while Dolph almost strengthless tries to claw at Del Rio's eyes. The crowd will Dolph to his feet to reverse the hold but almost instantly he is thwarted when Del Rio just simply grabs him by the hair.

With a big grin on his face Del Rio stands proudly as Dolph isn't even able to get to his feet and just kneels - only remaining balanced by his opponent gripping at his hair. Del Rio lifts Dolph up for a suplex but the champ rallies, landing on his feet behind the challenger and attempts a sleeper hold, managing to get Del Rio to the floor. Del Rio eventually makes it to his feet and sprints for the turnbuckle, throwing Ziggler face first in to the top pad. Both men recover and when crawling away almost desperately, Dolph is once again viciously kicked, this time almost like a Free Kick as Del Rio bounces off the rope for an even bigger run up.

In a brilliant shot, Dolph rests his chin on the ropes with a thousand yard stare and a complete motionless look on his face. Alberto smells blood and props Ziggler up for the cross armbreaker when yet again Dolph rallies back. Reversing it in to a neckbreaker and desperately gripping the leg for the cover while simultaneously gripping at his own head, Dolph punches the floor in anger while letting out an almost yelp of pain at Del Rio kicking out. JBL does a brilliant job on commentary selling that these fightbacks are almost pointless, regardless of Ziggler once again desperately attacking Del Rio, this time hitting him with the Fameasser.

Del Rio once again powers out at two and Ziggler grabs at referee Mike Keota's leg almost begging him to count the three. While laying at the ref's feet the writing is on the wall and JBL and King are calling for the match to be waved off while Cole the ever optimist still believes the champ can retain. Barely being able to even retain balance, Ziggler attempts to climb the top rope to do what, I don't know, but he is quickly met up there by Del Rio who hits a brilliant back suplex. Dolph kicks out to the challenger's disbelief and out of anger ADR baseball slides Ziggler out of the ring.

While Ziggler is being seen to by the ref on the outside, Del Rio walks along the apron and with the absolute best looking kick you'll see/hear in your life, clatters Dolph across the side of the head. AJ screams as it connects and Dolph flops to the floor in some of the strongest selling I've seen - it is brilliant. The doctor finally gets involved, along with AJ and tries to get Dolph to concede defeat.

Ziggler pushes them away, so Del Rio slides through the top and middle rope using both feet to baseball slide Dolph in the back of the neck. Dolph's head flings forward like he has whiplash and I genuinely have no idea how he hasn't genuinely killed him. Del Rio rolls Dolph back in to the ring, kicks AJ's Diva's Title (brilliant prick move) and tells her to do one. The crowd who at times cheered for Del Rio during this match are now fully booing him. Alberto hits the wake up taunt button and as Dolph slowly rises he (you guessed it) thumps him over the head with a kick.

Dolph... kicks out. The fans can't believe it and Del Rio is almost smiling in disbelief. He stands over Dolph's motionless corpse and reigns punches down on him. Dolph slowly makes his way to his feet, using Del Rio's legs to balance himself, has a rush of blood and hits the Zig Zag! Ziggler can't even follow up with a cover and just remains on the floor grasping at his head.

Meanwhile the effect of the finishing move wears off and Del Rio begins making his way back to his feet in the corner. As Del Rio rises to his feet, Ziggler is only able to muster himself to his knees, holding his fists in front of his face in an attempt to meekly block any more oncoming onslaught of kicks. He is violently kicked in the side of the head one final time before being pinned for the three. As Del Rio wheels off to celebrate to vicerous boos, the doctors immediately see to Dolph Ziggler as a hush grows over the concerned Chicago crowd - and one of the most successful double turns in WWE history is complete.

WINNER - NEW WORLD CHAMPION, ALBERTO DEL RIO BY ONE MILLION KICKS TO THE HEAD

CM PUNK v CHRIS JERICHO

By Daniel Wildash

A match that features two of my top three wrestlers of all time. Both were stating and believing they are the Best In The World during this feud, so it should be a good one! This match came about after Punk lost to Taker at Mania. Punk took a leave of absence. A month or so later, Jericho called him out stating he was the real BITW. Heyman disputed this and over those next few weeks, Heyman and Jericho had a bit of a promo off.

Heyman emphasised that facing CM Punk in Chicago is a bad idea. Jericho says he doesn't care. The week before Payback, Jericho had a match with Curtis Axel on smackdown. Cult of personality hits and out comes Heyman. The music is enough to distract Jericho and he gets pinned. Surprisingly enough, Jericho is built as the face coming into this but that doesn't matter as this is Chicago and this is CM Punk so he gets booed and Punk gets cheered. Wrestling fans eh?

The match starts and Cole begins listing off their achievements whilst the two men in the ring feel each other out. You could say both men know each other well. They had a fantastic rivalry the year before which culminated in a Chicago street fight at Wrestlemania 28. This is just a straight up one on one wrestling match though, as Punk is outside the ring after getting hit with a baseball slide by Jericho.

Jericho goes for a springboard drop kick to the outside but Punk reads it, sending him to the floor and then hits an elbow from the top rope. First time he has had any sort of momentum this match so far. Few pin attempts from Punk end in quick kick outs. Punk looking fatigued as he goes for a springboard clothesline, Jericho ducks, hits a few shoulder tackles on Punk before a running bulldog ends in Jericho shouting "Come on baby".

A Lionsault attempt is countered by Punk into a swinging neckbreaker. Into the corner and a classic big knee. "Vintage Punk" he screams, looks for the running bulldog which Jericho counters and this time lands a lovely lionsault. From vintage Punk to vintage Jericho in five seconds.

A few strikes end in a failed GTS from Punk and he finds himself locked into the Walls of Jericho. Will Punk's conditioning let him down? He counters into an Anaconda Vice, answering those fears. Heyman screams tap at Jericho like he's left one running, but Jericho forces a rope break. Punk calls for the GTS, which gets countered into a Walls of Jericho, so Heyman distracts the ref which allows Punk to counter back into the GTS.

For some reason, he's still standing on the apron looking as confused as I am when I watch Watford defend and Jericho hits back at Punk. Quick codebreaker by Punk but a kick out at two frustrates Jericho and he starts lashing out with some fierce strikes. The Chicago crowd is fully behind Punk and he hits back with a flurry of punches and kicks. Running knee into a clothesline and a big elbow from the top! Classic Punk. The GTS lands but Jericho somehow kicks out at two. Punk can't believe it. Crowd chants for him to hit it "one more time".

He obliges but Jericho has other ideas. Another Codebreaker attempt gets countered as Punk hits him with a clothesline over the top rope and suicide dives into him on the outside. Things have gone up a notch in this match . Punk rallies and goes to hit a springboard clothesline but OH MY Jericho counters it into a nasty looking codebreaker! Surely Punk is out? No! Kick out at two and a half!

Jericho is frustrated and lashes out again on Punk. He turns him over to put him in the Walls but that gets countered into a small package pin. Just the two again. Both men up and hitting strikes on each other. Punk tries a hurricanrana - but AGAIN gets countered into the Walls of Jericho.

Heyman screams NO outside the ring like he's Nicholas Cage being attacked by bees in the Wicker Man. The Chicago crowd is screaming Punk's name and willing him not to tap. He gets out of it and starts smacking Jericho on the back of the head. He hits the Go To Sleep as Jericho bounces into the corner, so Punk decides to hit him with another for good measure. 1, 2 and 3. Punk wins courtesy of a GTS. What a great match!

WINNER - CM PUNK BY GO TO SLEEP

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: THE SHIELD (C) v RANDY ORTON & DANIEL BRYAN

By Matt Brummitt

This is my second Daniel Bryan match I’ve watched in a row. The previous one I watched in my leisure time, not just because BossRoss told me to. It had a 68 year old Johnny Saint in it & was wonderful. But enough about that & on to the one I’m reviewing.

Tonight it’s the Roman & Seth iteration of The Shield (Dean fought Kane earlier in the night) against Randy & D-Bry. I don’t really remember much of Orton and Bryan teaming up apart from that it was them & Kane that broke the Shield’s undefeated streak.

I don’t remember this match at all but looking forward to it.

Reigns starts off by beating on Bryan, but Bryan spins him around & lands some kicks as the crowd chants “Yes” (this was June 2013 so must be at the very start of the Yes movement??). Reigns gets back in control pretty swiftly.

Reigns & Seth go heel tag team 101 and cut Bryan off with some quick tags. After 2 mins of Shield dominance, Bryan hits a sweet running clothesline to leave both him & Roman down. He hot tags Orton who comes in & hits a powerslam on Seth and a rope hang DDT on Roman.

Seth tries to hit Randy from the top rope but gets nailed with a top rope powerslam & then it’s his turn for the rope hang DDT. “Classic Orton” from some bore on commentary. Randy sets up an RKO but Seth rolls out of the ring. As Orton pops his inquisitive head out of the ropes, he gets Superman Plonked by Reigns.

It’s now Randy’s turn to get beaten up by The Shield for a few mins. I’m not complaining because Orton on offence does nothing for me. Randy eventually curtails the onslaught with an exploder suplex on Seth [insert shit Becky joke]. This looked brutal as it first looked like Seth got dropped on his head but on replay looked OK.

Hot tag to Dragon who may just be the best hot tag ever. Double missile dropkick & kip up to kick it off. Lots of running dropkicks and then the Yes Kicks. This kid is over. Bryan dumps both Shieldies out and goes for a dive but he hits Orton by accident!

Back in the ring, it looks like The Shield are setting up Moustache Mountain’s top rope stomp / Birminghammer but Bryan wriggles out. A top rope butterfly-plex on Seth gets a 2 count. A Yes Lock attempt is interrupted by THE BIG DOG and Seth goes for a roll up but it’s counted into another Yes Lock attempt!

Roman interrupts again because he’s a party pooper. Reigns then signals for a spear but Randy grabs his head for an RKO! Roman is having none of it though and pushes Randy towards Bryan. They manage not to collide but in the kerfuffle, Roman manages to spear Bryan! Then an RKO on Reigns! Seth pushes Randy out of the ring and hits Bryan with a Curb Stomp for the win!

Summary: I usually avoid Orton matches but this was pretty good. I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to watch this but it’s a perfectly pleasant way to spend 14 minutes.

WINNERS – STILL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, THE SHIELD BY A SETH CURB STOMP

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP 3 STAGES OF HELL MATCH: JOHN CENA (C) v RYBACK

By Matt Connolly

So I'm honoured to be covering a match featuring one of my favourite ever wrestlers this week. I bloody love John Cena don't get me wrong, I'd say he was probably the best wrestler on the planet around this time, but the man I adore is Ryback. I should explain a little.

I had my wrestling hiatus between 2004 and 2012. I dipped in here and there but generally I got tired of the product and life was happening. Then Nerd Group member Jon Collins told me that WWE was actually not too bad again. I was suspicious.

He told me that Brock Lesnar was back and that Chris Jericho was feuding with this cool show off heel called Dolph Ziggler and that Summerslam was good. I decided I would give a few episodes of Raw a go with him and I was hooked again. The wrestler I connected with most was Ryback. He always won and was massive. That was enough for him to be my guy.

Fast forward eight months and Ryback has been on a journey. He got a title match with CM Punk about two months into main roster life and don't let anyone tell you he wasn't the hottest star in the WWE at that point. The feud fizzled out and after Wrestlemania that year Ryback decided it was time to join the dark side. He turned Heel by attacking John Cena (to a huge pop) and focused his eyes once again on the WWE Championship.

The first match ended in a draw when Ryback drove Cena through the stage, so this Three Stages of Hell match was set up to get a definitive winner. Your first fall is a lumberjack match. A bunch of superstars ranging from Kane to Yoshi Tatsu come down to ringside. There is tons of them. First out is the challenger with his "FEED ME MORE" war cry. "Meat on the table, that's what you are. You'll try to run but you won't get that farrrrr". What a bop.

Anyway, Big Match John is out next shilling another T-shirt. It's Yellow at this point. First fall is just trading strikes until Ryback hits a wonderful powerslam. What a monster. Crowd is hyped for this. The duelling Cena chants are echoing around the arena. Ryback controls the early stages and is the first to utilise the lumberjacks with Heath Slater particularly keen to put the boots to Cena. Cena tries to feed Ryback to the lions but they know their place and let The Big Guy return to the ring unscathed.

Unfortunately, Ryback walks into the five knuckle shuffle routine here. Ryback sits up before the punch though and Gorilla presses Cena into Lumberjacks. He's so impressive! Ryback sniffs the end of the first fall and goes to set up the Shell Shock but Cena reverses and sends him to the outside. Again the Lumberjacks don't want a piece of Ryback but he shoves Cesaro for no reason and this starts a mass brawl. Got your tactics wrong there, Big Guy. Cena wipes out all 30 guys with a splash from the top rope. It's ridiculous but really fun.

They return to the ring and Ryback powers out of a headlock and hits Shell shock to take Stage One. Stage Two is a tables match. The lumberjacks have done one and Ryback is wasting no time in grabbing some furniture. Ryback goes for the powerbomb to end this, Cena reverses but ends up eating a spinebuster that has tremors so big that the table on the other side of the ring collapses. Told you he's a monster! He's even eliciting Goldberg chants from the crowd.

Now he attempts a Gorilla press but Cena reverses into an AA. However, Ryback shows his ring awareness and tips the table before retreating to the outside. He's not just a massive slab of meat. He's a thinker. Rybacks takes control by murdering Cena with the steel steps. The fall ends when Cena reverses a Shell Shock into an AA and through the table goes Ryback. 1-1. We enter a third fall. There were some sweet power moves from both guys there. I enjoyed fall two.

Stage three is an Ambulance Match. Ryback powerbombs Cena through the announce table. I've seen worse ways to start a fall. Ryback drags Cena up the ramp toward the ambulance which of course allows Cena some recovery time and they brawl around the vehicle. Handily there are some crutches to belt each other with too. Hope the Ambulance is insured as Ryback punches the window through and takes the door off after Cena reverses an Irish Whip. Its an entertaining brawl with the door a primary weapon. Cena also rips the lights off the roof and uses them to batter The Big Guy.

The finish is the epitome of Wrestling Should Be Fun. Cena AA's Ryback through the roof of the ambulance! I loved this match. I love John Cena. I love Ryback more than most things in life.

WINNER - STILL WWF CHAMPION, JOHN CENA BY AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT THROUGH AN AMBULANCE ROOF