Eyes On MITB: The 2017 Money In The Bank Ladder Match

By @TrueGodImmortal 

Smackdown is bringing back the MITB PPV this year as an exclusive, and they've announced two matches so far. One, the WWE Champion Jinder Mahal (wow....) will defend against Randy Orton, who will be looking to have his rematch. However, despite that horrible match, what we will see that's sure to be a lot of fun is the 6 Man Money in The Bank Ladder Match, featuring what some of us have christened the new "Smackdown 6". Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Styles, and Shinsuke Nakamura will do battle in a few short weeks for the most important briefcase in WWE, the Money In The Bank briefcase. So, with the match official and the participants announced, who will walk away with the win? Let's take a look at each participant.

*Baron Corbin
-I think there's a huge chance that Corbin will walk away with the victory and the briefcase, as his momentum continues to dwindle with back to back losses to Sami Zayn after losing a feud to Dean Ambrose. With that behind him and knowing WWE booking, Corbin is definitely a favorite to walk away with the briefcase, and if I'm being honest, I could very well see him cashing in the same night or perhaps at Battleground (the next Smackdown PPV) or on a summer episode of Smackdown. If this were to be case however, it would totally ruin the plans that I thought WWE had of Orton vs Styles for the WWE Title in a huge dream match feud, and puts Corbin in the driver seat that I don't think anyone wants him to be in.... yet. Though, in a weird scenario, we could see Corbin cash in, win, then drop the belt to soon to be returning John Cena..... which sounds oddly realistic. No one wants that, which means WWE will likely do it.... of course.

*Sami Zayn
-All of a sudden, Zayn is building momentum up after being reduced to a talented jobber these last few months. The move to Smackdown hasn't paid off yet minus two wins over Corbin, but he's still painted as the underdog. So, as the underdog, he'd have to have a shot to win this briefcase, right? Right? Not at all. There's literally no chance that Zayn walks away with this briefcase and I think he truly has the lowest odds possible of winning the briefcase of all the competitors honestly. If Zayn does win, I suspect he'll end up in that rare club of stars who lost their MITB cash in.

*Dolph Ziggler
-Right below Zayn is Ziggler in terms of who has the smallest chance of winning. Ziggler and Zayn are in the match to fill out the rest of the lineup and make the match more exciting and intriguing. Will Ziggler have a chance to win? Who would he feud with over the title? Nakamura? Orton? Owens? Styles? While those matches aren't bad to watch, Ziggler hasn't been a viable option in a while and is only in the new Smackdown 6 to fill his role as the good worker who can sell for guys. He's the WWE veteran in this "new era" and he will end up selling for all of the guys involved in this, which could end up being a lot of fun to witness, but he has no chance to win and he shouldn't anyways.

*Kevin Owens
-Surprisingly, I think Owens has a great shot at winning this match even as the US Champion and my reasoning is simple: Owens vs Orton in the future for the title. Now, don't get me wrong: I think there's a chance he doesn't win, but I do think if he won, it would easily make him the biggest heel on the brand, and since we know Jinder Mahal is a novelty act sure to fall off in the next few months, what better way to make Owens the man in the WWE by giving him the briefcase as well as the US Title. Truthfully, I think Styles vs Owens will happen again and Styles will take the US Title from him, which will see Owens move up into the WWE Title picture if this was to happen. Owens cashing in to beat Orton or someone else who holds the belt would be amazing to witness and his crowning would put him in the driver's seat again.

*AJ Styles
-In any other match, I'd say Styles would be the smartest choice for winning this match but something tells me he will end up getting a title shot soon anyways. AJ vs Nakamura is the match we need for Wrestlemania and I think the WWE could do one of two things, and that's pull the trigger early at SummerSlam, or let Styles begin another lengthy title run and start the Nakamura push to the main event and an eventual Royal Rumble win. It makes so much sense that I don't see Styles winning this match, but still getting a title shot very soon, likely at SummerSlam. It makes so much sense, but unfortunately with WWE, that means you won't see it happen. I'd love AJ to win, but something tells me he doesn't get the briefcase here.

*Shinsuke Nakamura 
-Nakamura should be your favorite. Though I think he won't win, I do think he should be the favorite. He's the hottest thing in the WWE right now and the biggest star on Smackdown next to AJ Styles. The fact that Nakamura has come in and instantly gotten over is a testament to his greatness, but the reality is, Nakamura is on a path to greatness with the WWE Title sooner than later and a briefcase win would put him square in the driver's seat.

So who wins? My pick? Corbin or Owens. I think the heels of tomorrow need to win, as I can't see Styles or Nakamura winning, but if they did, I'd not be mad at it. I just hope we get Styles vs Nakamura at Wrestlemania 34 for the WWE Title. It might be the biggest matchup possible for the Smackdown brand. However, we have a MITB match to look forward to, and it should be one hell of a contest to witness.

-True

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Eyes on the Ring 3:55 AM  No comment

Eyes On WWE: 7 Feuds We Want Now Following The Superstar Shakeup

By @TrueGodImmortal 

Well, the Superstar Shakeup came and went. With it, we got stars on new brands, secondary titles switching brands, and possible intriguing matchups. With the rosters all set now, what could be some of those feuds that we'd like to see? Let's take a look at the 5 feuds we'd like to see with the changes.

*Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt 
(RAW)

-I know, you're probably expecting me to say that the entrances would be interesting to watch, and you're right. However, the thing that is missing from Balor right now is a great main roster opponent. Samoa Joe could have been that, but we've seen that. We've seen him vs Seth already and he and Roman has happened. Bray is the biggest acquisition for RAW in the shift, and I think this could be an interesting feud. Speaking of Balor, perhaps he could benefit from a possible heel turn and a reunion.... which leads me to my next choice.

*The (Balor) Club vs The Shield 
(RAW)

-With the WWE putting Ambrose, Reigns, and Rollins on the same show and trying to force Reigns as a face yet again, you know this is coming. The Shield Reunion could come from a number of things, but as long as they're trying to keep Reigns as a face for whatever dumb reason, Rollins and Ambrose, two more popular wrestlers, will be there to keep him getting "by association" cheers, if it's possible. Turning Balor heel and putting him with Gallows and Anderson would give us the presence of a heel faction since the reported Owens and Joe faction is not happening now obviously. The Balor Club with Balor as an arrogant heel could lead us into the Survivor Series buildup. That would be a great match for Survivor Series and a main event that could be epic, as long as Reigns doesn't get the win. Simple.

*AJ Styles vs Kevin Owens 
(Smackdown)

-Well we are getting this anyways. At Backlash, AJ Styles will challenge Owens for the US Title and this could result in a match of the year candidate. Give them 20 minutes to close the show out and we will see great things happen. I'd like to see this feud be for the WWE Title, but I'm sure it will happen at some point. Unless WWE is full of idiots. Wait... you know what... Let's hope WWE does the right thing for a change.

*Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kevin Owens 
(Smackdown)

-This is a feud that is going to happen before WrestleMania. It's destined. Nakamura could be the guy to dethrone Owens for that US Title when Summerslam rolls around. Nakamura has such a presence that he doesn't need to even cut promos like that. Owens can talk and carry it on that end, and their matches would be amazing. Let's hope WWE does this for the summer.

*Kevin Owens vs Randy Orton 
(Smackdown)

-Owens is going to be the biggest heel on Smackdown. It's only right we get a feud between Owens and Orton. It's almost fate to have this feud happen in the fall, hopefully after Orton drops the WWE Title to Styles. If this goes the way it should, Owens could get a boost, getting a big win over Orton, who is a future WWE Hall of Famer.

*Sasha Banks vs Alexa Bliss 
(RAW)

-You won't see any Smackdown women's feuds on here because the two new women to the roster  have faced these women already or the matches aren't interesting.  However, Sasha vs Alexa would be interesting overall. The feud could be exciting and the matches would be pretty enjoyable to watch. Will that happen? One has to think that's a feud that's definitely on tap for WWE, hopefully over the RAW Women's Title (sorry Bayley, it's just not working).

*Sami Zayn vs Dolph Ziggler 
(Smackdown)

-I know. Ziggler means nothing. You're right. He doesn't have much direction, but as one of the only heels on the blue brand, he could really make an impact. I wanted to put New Day vs American Alpha on this list, but the fact that American Alpha is literally getting no love anymore,  I'd say Sami getting into a solid mid card feud with Ziggler after his obvious feud with Corbin would be fun and result in really good matches.

-True

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Eyes on the Ring 12:04 AM  No comment

Speed on the Beat's RAW Preview - 10/20

First of all, let's send some condolences to the family of wrestling great Ox Baker, who passed at the age of 80. Baker, one of the first wrestlers to bring the heart punch into the squared circle, faced off with the likes of The Original Sheik and Randy Savage. Baker also had a part in shaping the man we revere as The Undertaker. As seen in the below clip, he wasn't just an ox who liked to hurt people. He could also talk, something that's still a bit of a rarity in the pro wrestling world.

And now for something completely different: tonight's RAW.

Lillian Garcia isn't the only thing that's new, but still throwback on tonight's episode. Since this is the go-home episode before Hell in a Cell (and the next-to-last RAW before WWE 2K15 drops next week), we can expect a lot of build-up for HIAC and many not-so-subtle references to the game (probably less than next week's episode, but they'll still be plentiful). But, oddly enough, less than a week out from HIAC, there are (maybe) four matches set. So, with that said, here are some things to look for:

Some sort of development between A.J. Lee and Paige: 

For weeks, we've been getting this weird, borderline stalker/lesbian-esque angle between A.J. and Paige. Sexy pins, backstabbing, even a few "LOLAJWINZ" moments. But, at the end, we're still left with a "what's next" for the Diva's Champion and her rival. Expect a schmozz which leads to a match between the two at the pay-per-view. Now, granted, the fire/collective fanboy orgasm from these two battling has died down. But, with a pay-per-view on its way (and money to make), you can also expect some more of this.

Dean Ambrose to pop out of somewhere to attack Seth Rollins: 

Look, this event, even if it doesn't get the main event spot, is my personal main event and will be treated as such by a lot of the WWE Universe (notice I didn't say all; I'm not that delusional). So, my money's on Dean going all Lunatic Fringe on Seth and popping out of his briefcase appear out of thin air to layeth the Smackdown on Seth (to a nice, big pop). Seth's done a great job heeling it up to the point you want to see his effin' head kicked in. Inversely, Dean's played a great anti-hero you can still rally behind. Now, will Dean be the next SCSA, I honestly don't care right now. I just want to see these two beat the crap out of each other at every chance they get.

Something Something Cena, Something Something RKO Out of Nowhere:

Since this is the WWE we're talking about, let's assume that there's still another Cena/Ambrose vs Orton/Rollins match tonight. This probably leads to Randy Orton of #RKOVines fame hitting an RKO...out of nowhere (even though we see it every friggin' time). My money's on Cena eating canvas (since Cena will probably win on Sunday). I like Cena/Orton matches. I also like grilled cheese sandwiches. The thing with too many grilled cheese sandwiches, however, is that they can kill you. And yet another Cena/Orton match-up, to me, can kill the vibe from a crowd (unless we get something like this again).

Wyatt Family Values:

The Wyatt Family, one of the bright spots in the WWE, is rumored to be on the verge of a major restructuring. I'm intrigued to see how WWE will build on the past two weeks' promos. I mean, we got to hear Rowan speak! That's gotta be worth something. Now, rumors (gotta love 'em) say The Ascension will be Bray's new right and left-hand-men. However, I think that there's gonna be more in the cards for this "it's coming" tease they're showing. I mean, I don't exactly see The Ascension becoming Wyatts as a "peel the skin from the top of your head" revelation. Kevin Steen randomly popping up and almost instantly turning Bray face to challenge for the tag titles, setting up a Steen/Wyatt vs. Harper/Rowan feud, which ultimately leads to Steen vs. Wyatt for the Big W (I don't know what other nickname to give the WWEWHC)? Now, that would be a Bray revelation. 

...what? I can fantasy book, can't I?

Give Ziggler Something to Do:

[Insert random match here, with Miz/Mizdow coming out]

Rusev...etc.

[Insert random Big Show/Henry beatdown of Rusev, leading to Rusev...crushing Big Show. Oh, and Lana. Lots of Lana]

Ok, and that's about it. I'm sure there'll be other things happening. For instance, the Bunny will be revealed to be...who gives a flying-you-know-what. But, hey. These were my thoughts on this week's RAW before it airs. 

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Eyes on the Ring 2:32 PM  No comment