3 Surprising Returns That Shocked Everyone At WWE Payback 2023
WWE Payback 2023, held in a whirlwind of excitement, showcased not one but three sensational returns that had fans on the edge of their seats. This night was a true spectacle for wrestling enthusiasts, and it all started with a surprise appearance from Japanese wrestling icon Keiji Mutoh, known to the world as The Great Muta.
The Great Muta’s Remarkable Comeback
In an astonishing turn of events, The Great Muta graced WWE Payback with his presence. This marked his second appearance for the promotion, following his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Mutoh officially retired from professional wrestling after an illustrious 38-year career in February of the same year. However, as part of his retirement tour, Mutoh faced none other than Shinsuke Nakamura at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s The New Year 2023 event.
This match was significant as it was Nakamura’s first contest outside of WWE in seven years. Fast forward eight months from that clash, and Nakamura had experienced a renaissance in WWE, leading him to the pinnacle of his career—a main event match at a WWE Premium Live Event for the World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins.
Before this monumental bout commenced, the cameras caught a glimpse of The Great Muta in attendance, showing his support for his former opponent, Nakamura. Michael Cole, on commentary, acknowledged the memorable encounter between Mutoh and Nakamura at NOAH earlier that year.
The championship match itself was a hard-fought battle. Nakamura focused his attacks on Rollins’ injured back, a strategy that had been the centre of taunts and mind games leading up to this championship clash. Nakamura displayed an impressive offence, including a landslide off the middle rope, dominating the majority of the contest. Yet, despite his valiant effort, the 43-year-old Japanese sensation fell short of capturing his first WWE world championship.
Rollins seized control with a Pedigree, swiftly followed by a reversal of Nakamura’s second Landslide into his signature finishing move, The Stomp. The celebration belonged to Rollins, while Nakamura watched in frustration from ringside. This intense encounter left fans speculating if this rivalry had truly reached its conclusion.
The Return of Jey Uso
In another thrilling twist at WWE Payback, the audience witnessed the long-awaited return of Jey Uso. This surprising comeback was announced by none other than Cody Rhodes, who revealed that he had pulled some strings to secure Jey’s place on the WWE Raw roster. The announcement took place during the “Grayson Waller Effect.”
Jey Uso’s return to the squared circle saw him confront Grayson Waller, who, in his usual fashion, believed that Jey needed the “Grayson Waller Rub. Jey had other plans, promptly responding with a superkick to Waller that echoed through the arena.
This return marked the end of Jey Uso’s brief hiatus from WWE, which began with a dramatic exit on the August 11 episode of WWE SmackDown. In a shocking turn of events, Jey had attacked both Roman Reigns and his brother Jimmy Uso, the latter of whom had cost him the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WWE SummerSlam. This jaw-dropping return has injected new energy and unpredictability into WWE Raw.
Zoey Stark’s Unforeseen Betrayal
The surprises at WWE Payback didn’t end there. The first match of the evening, a steel cage clash between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus, was the culmination of a storyline that had been brewing since April. However, when the odds seemed stacked against Stratus, a familiar face returned to even the playing field—Zoey Stark.
Stark’s involvement was anticipated to shift the balance in Stratus’s favour, but in the end, it proved insufficient as Lynch emerged victorious. After the match, tensions between Stratus and Stark reached a boiling point, resulting in Stratus delivering a resounding slap to Stark’s face.
The slap acted as a catalyst, triggering a shocking betrayal by Zoey Stark. Stark retaliated with her devastating finisher, the Z-360, leaving Trish Stratus down and out in the steel cage. This shocking betrayal signalled the end of an alliance that had kept fans guessing for months.
WWE Payback 2023 was a night filled with unexpected twists, surprise returns, and dramatic confrontations that left the WWE Universe buzzing with excitement. As the dust settles, fans eagerly anticipate the repercussions of these jaw-dropping moments on the road to future WWE events.
