WWE Payback 2014 Preview With Updated Match Card and Predictions

WWE will air its Payback pay-per-view on Sunday night on the WWE Network and cable providers. Sorry, DirecTV and Dish customers, but you're out of luck until further notice. The event will emanate live from the Allstate Arena just outside Chicago, hometown of a wrestler you may have heard of named CM Punk.

In fact, it was at this very event last year, also in Chicago, that Punk returned after some time off to heal form injuries. There's almost zero chance (and I only say "almost" because nothing is ever truly certain in pro wrestling) that Punk returns on Sunday, though the usually hostile Chicago crowd could turn the show into a three-hour "C-M-PUNK" chant.

But there will be action in the ring, so let's go through the card, break it down and offer some predictions for Payback:

Hornswoggle (w/3MB) vs. El Torito (w/Los Matadores) in a Mask vs. Hair Match (Pre-Show)

Does anyone else feel like this feud has gone on waaaaaayyy longer than it actually has? The Wee-L-C match at Extreme Rules was something of a show stealer, but that had lots of gimmicks involved. This match likely won't be as good, but we can probably safely assume El Torito will win, especially in light of his recent tail incident. We can also safely assume JBL will continue to sell that El Torito is a real bull.

Winner: El Torito (say hello to bald Hornswoggle)

Sheamus (c) vs. Cesaro for the United States Championship

This could be a dark horse for match of the night, as both guys are incredibly physical. The buildup to this match has been lackluster, and the unfortunate booking of Cesaro has persisted since WrestleMania 30. I'd like to say Cesaro wins the U.S. Title here, but Sheamus just won the thing less than a month ago and seems to be impervious to losses. I hope I'm wrong.

Winner: Sheamus

Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship

Rob Van Dam has had what feels like 18 title shots since he came back a little less than a year ago, but he has not been a serious threat to win outside of a few isolated occasions. RVD has become the ultimate placeholder in his most recent run, and WWE seems content to just shove him into any open slot as needed. Plus, if rumors are true (and that's a major if), WWE is high on Barrett and want to keep him front and center. So, RVD, I'm afraid I've got some BAD NEWS...

Winner: Bad News Barrett

Paige (c) vs. Alicia Fox for the Divas Championship

I love everything about this match. The booking has been somewhat odd (Alicia Fox beats Paige in London, then loses to Emma the next week), but Paige continues to be a breath of fresh air in the Divas division. And Alicia Fox has really committed to the "crazy chick" character by dousing herself in soda and slapping crewmembers. And she's going to go crazy again, because Paige is keeping this belt.

Winner: Paige

John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt in a Last Man Standing Match

This rubber match will hopefully serve as the blow off to this feud, which has really turned sour in the minds of many fans. I'm still very much into it, but I'll admit there has been little more than sideways movement in recent weeks. I have a hunch Cena's going to win this match if this is, in fact, the final match in this feud, but if they decide to keep it going, then Wyatt will likely win by some nefarious means (Luke Harper and Erick Rowan hold him down, Wyatt buries him under foreign objects, etc.). The good guy almost always triumphs in the end in pro wrestling, and despite what anyone says, Cena is still the good guy.

Winner: John Cena

The Shield vs. Evolution in a No Holds Barred Elimination Match

This match stole the show at Extreme Rules and is likely to do so again on Sunday. The Shield has had the upper hand for much of this feud, and that is likely to continue at Payback. Both sides have touted this essentially as a "Loser Leaves Town" match, and there's no way WWE is getting rid of The Shield. Unless, of course, they decide to pull the trigger on breaking up the team. Evolution would gain little from this win, particularly because Batista is reportedly about to take some time off to promote Guardians of the Galaxy. The Hounds of Justice prevail in this one.

Winner: The Shield

Bonus Segment: Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Stephanie McMahon for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

No, this isn't an actual match (although that would be quite the spectacle), but Stephanie has demanded for the third time in a row that Bryan surrender his title. Only this time, Brie's job is on the line. If he doesn't give up the belts, then Brie loses her job. Brie is one of the stars of Total Divas, and WWE has seemingly hitched its wagon to Bryan, as he has appeared on television in a non-physical capacity less than two weeks after his neck surgery. So a third option (maybe some interference from an outside force like the new Raw General Manager) seems likely. We'll just have to wait and find out what that is.

Winner: The fans, if Bryan continues to grace our screens

Do you agree with these predictions? Why or why not? What do you think will happen at Payback? Let us know in the comments below.