Paybacks are a feature that has been in theWWE 2Kseries for a while now. In that time, different Paybacks have come and gone. InWWE 2K24, there is a mix of classic ones that have been in the series for some time and a whole host of new additions.
There is a great variety among them, as they help you in a few different ways. Some distract your opponents, several hurt them, and a few give you a boost in some form. But which ones should you equip? To figure that out, here is how they all stack up against one another.
This ranking is primarily based on the usefulness of the Payback. Yet, how creative and exciting a Payback is also comes into play.
14Paparazzi
The Paparazzi Payback is one you’re able to unlock in MyRise. It is similar to a run-in in that a guy comes down to distract your opponent. This time, though, they are a photographer rather than a wrestler.
When they get to the ring, they blind your opponent with their camera’s flash, allowing you to take advantage. It certainly has its usage, and the concept is a bit different from other Paybacks, but at its core, it’s just a basic distraction that has less variety than the standard run-in.
13Run-In
With the Run-In Payback, you can call an ally down to help you in your match. They may attack or distract your opponent, which gives you the upper hand.
This is something you see happen often on WWE shows, particularly during Roman Reigns’s matches. It helps him win a lot, and it can do the same for you. However, the fact it can only be used in one-on-one matches is very limiting. On top of that, it only comes in handy if you’re getting beat down.
12Move Thief
Move Thief allows you to hit your opponent with one of their own finishers, which is a perfect way to humiliate them. Yet, if you’re against AI, they don’t feel embarrassed. Human opponents probably wouldn’t, either, since it’s the character they’re controlling’s move, not their own.
So, the Payback doesn’t feel that special. Yet, one occasion when it is useful is when you want to finish off your opponent, but you don’t have a finisher on your own. If you have the Payback ready, you can hit their finisher instead to win the match. However, you can only do this if your opponent has a finisher stored, which is another drawback.
11Blackout
2K clearly appreciates The Undertaker, as not only does he have multiple models that are amongthe highest-rated superstarsin WWE 2K24, but this Payback was seemingly designed for him. It allows you to teleport behind an opponent as the lights go off and back on.
The advantage to this is obvious: It allows you to get the jump on your opponent. Plus, it can really turn the tide in some contests, as you can go from being beaten down to getting a cheap shot.
10Fireball
A new Payback introduced in WWE 2K24 is the fireball, which allows you to hit your opponents in the face with a ball of fire. It’s arguably the most impressive-looking Payback as it’s a visual spectacle. On top of that, it results in one ofthe best details in the game, which is the burn the victims get in the immediate aftermath.
That doesn’t make it the perfect Payback, though. After all, you can get disqualified for using it, and it isn’t quite as damaging as other Paybacks of this type.
9Poison Mist
Several wrestlers over the years have been able to spit poison mist in people’s eyes. These days, the likes of Nakamura and Asuka are capable of doing it, while The Great Muta is the man who popularized it.
In WWE 2K24, though, anyone can do it with this Payback. If you hit it, your opponent will be incapacitated temporarily. That sounds useful, except if disqualification is on, you will be disqualified, which is the downside of the Payback.
8Comeback
The Comeback Payback isn’t as useful as it used to be. When it was initially added to the series, it could save you from a beating and gift you a signature move in the process. Now, if you have the Comeback Payback, then you likely have a signature, too, as they’re tied to the same momentum bar.
Still, though, the little comeback sequence does damage your opponent, and you still get to use a signature move afterward. However, it is easy to fail that sequence, so there is more of a risk to this Payback than others.
7Power Of The Punch
The classic brass knuckles have been used in wrestling for many, many years. Plenty of heels have won matches because they’ve punched their opponents while wielding the knuckles. William Regal used this tactic often, and now Logan Paul does it.
The Power of the Punch allows you to use them, too. So, you’re able to hit your opponent with a powerful strike. It works great in no-disqualification matches. Unfortunately, in matches with regular rules, the ref will disqualify you, which is the main problem with the Payback.
6Low Blow
The Low Blow is a classic heel move in the world of WWE. In WWE 2K24, it’s a powerful Payback.
Not only does it do significant damage to your opponent, but it also disorients them, so it can really give you the upper hand during the match. Yet, the threat of disqualification does hurt this one a bit, as you can’t use it in every match unless you’re happy to knock down the referee first.
5Freeze
Despite its name, the Freeze Payback doesn’t allow you to use a whole host of ice powers. Instead, it allows you to stop your opponent in their tracks by intimidating or pleading with them. As a result, they take a momentary pause, allowing you to take full advantage.
If you’ve got a quick-hit finisher like an RKO or superkick, then this Payback is a great setup for that. On top of that, it can be used to turn the tide of a match, which is also useful.
