WWE Payback Will Make or Break The Summer

No, not Summer Rae. I'm actually losing interest in the Rusev/Dolph Ziggler feud now that Summer Rae is involved. When it was all about Lana, it made sense. It had a driving factor. It put Lana in a light where she could shine. Now, that light is dimmed. A shadow cast over the feud by creative's fat sack of horrible booking decisions. But Rusev v Ziggler is not the only story in trouble.

Seth Rollins and Brock Lesnar are being properly booked, but once again, Rollins is hiding behind The Authority. The same Authority that just two weeks ago was getting the crowd behind them. Kane once again teasing becoming a monster, instead only becomes "same old shit." J&J are more entertaining than ever, and yet here we are again with them thrown right under Rollins' gear in the sweat bag.

Sure, it makes sense. Lesnar is the most dominant superstar we may have ever seen. Rollins didn't pin Lesnar. But Rollins had attacked Lesnar in 1v1v1 situations before. Sure, one of those 1's was John Cena, who far eclipses the combined credibility of Kane + J&J. But Rollins was still able to snake his way into attacking Lesnar and Cena. I felt like WWE was onto something incredible with Rollins' win over Ambrose at Money in the Bank with no help at all. And Triple H's hype-speech to Rollins about being both smart and scared seemed to hint at Rollins being able to out-think his fear and go toe-to-toe with The Beast Incarnate. Does it make sense for Rollins to dispatch of Lesnar cleanly all on his own? No. But did Rollins need The Authority? To quote Seth himself, "No!" Perhaps it would have been wise to just have The Authority return to Seth's side when he had emptied the tank at Payback and was still unable to defeat Lesnar. Or perhaps WWE should have just flat-out gone with the rumored angle of Corporate Sheamus (with Kane + J&J) cashing in on Lesnar moments after Seth had been beat. I just do not believe Rollins benefits from suddenly needing help again. It also does no benefit to Ambrose to be beat clean only to have to watch Seth need the world at his side vs. Lesnar.

Ryback won the forfeited Intercontinental Championship and was sent to a returning Big Show who many felt should have just retired after Reigns demolished him. *Way to make good on your promise, Roman. Are you going to keep disappointing us in your future as face of the company?* Then add in The Miz who has done nothing substantial of late, and you're left with three guys who can't work a good match out of each other if their lives depended on it.

Meanwhile King Barrett is feuding with Imaginary King R-Truth over who is the actual king of the ring......... way to undermine Barrett's opportunity at redemption. Why the Hell did they ever take the mic out of this guy's hand and force him to stop delivering bad news!?

Unless this Bella/Paige/Divas feud ends with the 4 Horsewomen (keyword WOMEN, not Divas) coming up and destroying the entire WWE Divas roster, I don't give a damn about a single second of it. I don't care what happens. You could have Nikki come up one day short of AJ's reign and lose to a returning AJ with Punk in her corner as her manager and I still would not give a damn. If this is what #GiveDivasAChance is all about, then damnit #GiveWOMENaRealChance.

Cena and Owens is not a major concern of mine. I'm almost certain Owens drops the NXT title to Balor in Tokyo on July 4th, and moves on to become the United States Champion. Cena could win. I think Owens looks strong regardless, but it does far more for all involved if Owens walks out with a clean victory over Cena to win the feud and become the new United States Champion.

What I'm most concerned with is Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns. We all know Reigns is being set up as the New Face of WWE. But the New Face of Fear is being set up to be a major disappointment. Bray Wyatt revitalized his career when he dropped the Husky Harris gimmick and flat-out denied being called a Rotunda. The Wyatt Family entered as a major success. They broke off and Bray started on a solo path that seemed to be dominant from the start as Ambrose was his target and he decimated him. Now we're at a crossroads. Bray called out Taker at Mania, got his wish, and lost. But Bray declared himself the new face of fear and started creepier and creepier promos. He got the upper hand on Ryback but the feud ended abruptly as Ryback became the new choice for the IC title. Now Bray is just a man on a screen talking a lot. Sure, the few run-ins and attacks are cool. The crowd still lights up with fireflies. His promos are still among the best. But if he loses all his in-ring feuds with formidable opponents, what good is it all? We know for certain that Reigns is destined for great things and has the support of everyone in the WWE. But he does not need this win. It does not hurt or help Roman to win or lose this feud. He is in great standing either way. Bray, however, could catapult and eclipse expectations were he to defeat Reigns at Payback and end this feud victorious. It may even do more for Reigns who has to reach deeper in the future to defeat foes. And in doing so, sets us up for years of possible Reigns/Bray feuds to play out this Batman/Joker story they have going on.