WWE Payback 2014: Last-minute predictions for the show

Remember all of that enthusiasm I had for Extreme Rules?

Well, it's kind of dissipated a little as we approach Payback Sunday from the AllState Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

Looking at this event on paper, I see good matches. I like what I believe will be the main event between The Shield and Evolution. I like the matchups for both the Intercontinental and United States Championship matches, but the way we got here wasn't all that stellar.

The Shield and Evolution story, although good, has felt very much the same for a number of weeks. Rob Van Dam, although fun to watch, isn't that credible of a challenger for Bad News Barrett because he just lost to him not even a month ago.

And I can't forget the story between John Cena and Bray Wyatt, which has only had two matches, but feels like it has been an ongoing feud for six months.

Wait a minute, that's because it has. The feud began is supposedly coming to a conclusion Sunday after starting all the way back at the Royal Rumble in January.

With all of that said, let's get to who I think will come out on top in Chicago.

Disclaimer: I will not predict what's going to happen with the Daniel Bryan situation. I understand that it's an important part of the event, but so many things could happen there that it's almost impossible to predict. Running through all of the possibilities hurts my brain and I don't want to do that more than I have to.

No Holds Barred Elimination Match – The Shield vs. Evolution

While I have enjoyed this feud, nothing has felt really different about it over the last couple of weeks. However, the match at Payback should be fantastic and will more than likely make up for any shortcomings I thought of the build.

Like I said before Extreme Rules, it is very possible that The Shield could win every match in this feud. It's not a radical concept. It has been done before.

If The Shield was going to lose a match in this feud, it was going to be at Extreme Rules. Since this is supposed to be the final encounter between the two factions and there's no reason for Evolution to defeat the up-and-comers, I'm going with The Shield to win.

Also, Evolution stood tall at the end of Raw this past Monday, which usually means they're going to lose, but stranger things have happened.

Prediction: The Shield def. Evolution

Last Man Standing Match – John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt

Not a whole lot in this feud has made a ton of sense, but I will try my best to predict a winner.

In my mind, Bray Wyatt needs the victory and probably should win. He has one big victory during his time on the main roster and that wasn't against John Cena at Extreme Rules. It was against Daniel Bryan at the Royal Rumble.

The cage match between Wyatt and Cena was debacle and the finish didn't do Wyatt any favors in the long run. It's almost a forgotten victory.

With all of that said, Cena probably will win. He is the No. 1 guy after all and good usually prevails over evil in the end. Unless you subscribe to the theory that Wyatt is a babyface, but that would only muddle the situation.

The fans in Chicago will be firmly behind Wyatt and just as firmly against Cena. No, that does not mean there's going to be a double-turn, but it could sway WWE's decision in who wins the match.

At the end of the day, I'm going to go with old faithful and go with Cena. I'm not necessarily looking forward to this match. I am looking forward to seeing this feud finally come to an end.

Prediction: John Cena def. Bray Wyatt

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

The outcome of this match is pretty obvious to me: Bad News Barrett will retain the Intercontinental Championship.

The only problem is that the WWE didn't a whole lot in the way of making Rob Van Dam look like a credible threat to win the title.

Unless there's a plan to have Van Dam win the championship in a bit of swerve, the WWE did a poor job of making us think he has a chance to defeat Barrett. His loss to Cesaro this past Monday only further cemented that.

Prediction: Bad News Barrett RETAINS the Intercontinental Championship

United States Championship – Sheamus (c) vs. Cesaro

This match is a little more intriguing to me. On one hand, you have the champion Sheamus who just won the title, so it would kind of weird to take it off him so fast.

On the other, you have Cesaro, whom the WWE is clearly behind and winning the United States title with Paul Heyman at his side makes him a bigger deal. The only problem is that Cesaro has already held the U.S. title once before and it didn't do anything for his career.

But he didn't have Heyman by side.

I know there are rumors that Sheamus is going to turn heel at some point, but I'll believe that when it see it. We were also supposed to see Sting on WWE television by this point, but that clearly hasn't happened yet.

This match is pretty much a toss-up to me, but I will put my proverbial money on Cesaro to win the United States Championship for the second time.

Prediction: Cesaro WINS the United States Championship

Divas Championship – Paige (c) vs. Alicia Fox

Here's another situation where you have a bit of a dilemma. On one hand, you have the young Divas Champion that despite being champion still needs some added credibility. Having her lose her title in only her second defense will not do that.

However, Fox has come strong in the last month or so with this crazy woman persona that has been a lot more entertaining to watch than anything else going in the Divas division, including Paige.

To me, you strike while the iron is hot and put the title on Fox. There's some potential with this new persona to make the Divas division interesting again instead of it being filler for television.

Fox has the potential to make her along with whomever she goes up against must-see television. I'd rather watch her against any opponent than watch Eva Marie and Summer Rae struggle through a match any day.

Prediction: Alicia Fox WINS the Divas Championship

Pre-show match: Hair vs. Mask Match – Hornswoggle vs. El Torito

I'm happy that these guys are getting an opportunity to work in front a large viewing audience, but everything that has happened in this feud has been campy humor at best, especially with Hornswoggle ripping El Torito's tail off this past Monday.

There's no way in hell El Torito is losing his mask, so I'm going with him for the win and for Hornswoggle to lose his long, flowing locks.

Prediction: El Torito def. Hornswoggle and shaves his head