Tagged under: AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Lana, MITB, Money In The Bank, Nakamura, Naomi, Women's MITB, WWE
By @TrueGodImmortal
Money In The Bank has been my favorite non big 4 PPV for years now. It has the best matches, whether MITB or the one on one contests, and this year, we could see something special again. The Smackdown only PPV is sure to be a fun watch, and with two special MITB matches, along with a solid lineup overall, this event could be fun. It's only 5 matches on the card, which is relatively short for a PPV card, but there could be more matches made going forward. For now, let's check a look at this event and what could be in store.
*Smackdown Women's Title
Naomi vs Lana
-This match is odd. Lana is unproven and hasn't shown that she can compete much, yet here she is in the title match at MITB. This match is not one I'm looking forward to, but I hope I ended up shocked and surprised. Can Lana show out and steal the spotlight from Naomi? Logic would say that if WWE has plans for Lana, that she doesn't lose this match decisively because if she does, any momentum she could have goes completely out the window. Will Naomi retain? I'd say so, but there's no telling with the WWE. I'd say Naomi wins by DQ.
*Smackdown Tag Team Title Match
The Usos vs The New Day
-I'm not sold on the Usos and this new style. Their promos are loud and boisterous, but make little sense. Their catchphrase is nonsensical honestly, as the logic of "it's not paranoia, it's the Usos" is awful. However, they are great in ring competitors and can put on solid matches. If I'm WWE, I'm adding Breezango, who have gotten super over on Smackdown, and American Alpha, who virtually won the title and got extremely misused. New Day is back in the title picture and for some odd reason, I see them winning this match and injecting some life again into the tag title picture. Will The Usos retain? Or will their 4 month reign come to an end? I'd go with New Day winning and then Smackdown injects the other teams I mentioned earlier in a future match, probably at SummerSlam.
*Smackdown Women's MITB Match
Charlotte vs Becky Lynch vs Tamina Snuka vs Natalya vs Carmella
-I recently discussed this on the site and I'm not entirely sold on this match, but I'm hoping it is a great contest. The ladies make history and have an opportunity to steal the show on the night. I think Charlotte ends up with the victory, as her momentum could use a big win, but there's something to be said about Carmella and her chances. I don't expect a lot of high flying, but I do think we will see a few notable bumps, and possibly a big move from a ladder through a table as well. Give this match about 15-20 minutes and let the women shine, and I think this can exceed the hype. Still, I'm picking Charlotte to win.
*WWE Championship Match
Jinder Mahal vs Randy Orton
-Truth be told, there's nothing about this feud or match that I care about. Jinder sucks, Orton is boring when chasing the title, and this feud has nothing redeeming about it. I'd rather not see any man win, and have someone just cash in on them if this match closes the night. Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer to see a Styles vs Orton vs Cena title match at SummerSlam with Styles winning the belt, but I could see Mahal retaining with a feud with Cena for the belt as his next step. What's working against Orton here? The fact that MITB is in his hometown of St. Louis, and most faces never win the title in their hometown, let alone win matches period there. I'll go with Mahal retaining unfortunately and I can't wait until this experiment is over.
*Smackdown MITB Match
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kevin Owens vs Baron Corbin vs AJ Styles vs Sami Zayn vs Dolph Ziggler
-This is the biggest match of the card and the one with MOTY potential. Nakamura is the man. Owens is the man. Styles is the man. Those three alone make this a match worthwhile, but add in Ziggler and Zayn, along with the on the rise Corbin and you've got the recipe for a classic. I'd like to see Nakamura win, but I don't see him walking out with the briefcase and the same has to be said for AJ Styles as well. I think we might see Nakamura vs Owens for the US Title soon, and that leads me to believe that Owens could very well end up winning the briefcase. However, the smart money is Baron Corbin, as he can continue to develop more and more with the briefcase by his side. I'd love to see Sami Zayn win as a dark horse, but logic would point to either Corbin or Owens winning this match. If I had to make a choice, I'll say Corbin ends up winning in a way that no one enjoys, and he begins the monster push he's been rumored to get for a while.
Money In The Bank could be a great event, and I just hope... sincerely that we don't see Mojo Rawley. I'll probably not get my wish, but with a short yet sweet lineup like this, MITB could very well be a great event. Only time will tell.
-True
Tagged under: Becky Lynch, Carmella, Charlotte, MITB, Money In The Bank, Natalya, Smackdown Women's MITB, Tamina Snuka, WWE
By @TrueGodImmortal
History is being made yet again in women's wrestling... word to Sasha Banks. Over the last year, we've seen women headline RAW and Smackdown, as well as headline a PPV, have their first Hell In a Cell and Ironman matches on WWE PPV, and now we will get the very first MITB Women's Match. Who has the best chance of winning? Let's take a look.
*Natalya
-I don't think she has a chance to win at all. She's been relegated to secondary status in this match, essentially since she's not as important on the roster. Still, Natalya is a great performer and a win for her would restore her momentum for sure. Still, it's unlikely.
Chance Of Winning: 5%
*Carmella
-A true dark horse candidate who could end up sneaking away with the briefcase. She's growing as a heel for sure, but for some reason, I just can't see her walking out with the briefcase. It's possible she gets the win and has James Ellsworth carry around her briefcase, but there's no telling if that'll be the case for sure. Will Carmella take that next step? Who knows, but I'd say she's got a better shot than two other women in this match for winning.
Chance Of Winning: 20%
*Tamina Snuka
-I really don't see Tamina winning this at all, mainly because I don't see a championship in her future, but I could very well be wrong. She's a part of a legendary family, so it's entirely possible that she sneaks a win, but is anyone interested in seeing a Tamina push or title run? Not really. I'd say she and Natalya have the least chances for winning, but you never say never in the WWE, I guess.
Chance Of Winning: 5%
*Charlotte
-The perennial favorite to win it all shouldn't come as a shock. She's the biggest name in the Women's Division and as a face, she's not well adjusted yet, but perhaps as a tweener, a big time victory for Charlotte carrying around a personalized Queen's briefcase would be fun to witness. I think she is the most likely to win, only because she has the most momentum of any wrestler on the entire Smackdown roster right now. I expect Charlotte to walk out with the briefcase.
Chance Of Winning: 40%
*Becky Lynch
-Becky would be my 2nd choice to win this match, after Charlotte and only slightly ahead of Carmella. Becky was the first Smackdown Women's Champion and she has a chance to get back to the top spot with a victory in this match. However, the issue here, is that Becky is still a face and with Charlotte creeping up in that no. 1 face spot on Smackdown, it's possible a heel turn would be perfect for Becky with the briefcase. I'm not 100% sold on her winning over Charlotte, but I could very well see it happen.
Chance Of Winning: 30%
So, who wins? As you see here, I've chosen Becky and Charlotte as the two top choices, with Carmella as a dark horse. Whoever wins this match will have a heavy honor and this match could surprise a lot of people for sure.
-True
Tagged under: AJ Styles, Cena vs Punk, CM Punk, John Cena, Kevin Owens, MITB, Money In The Bank, Owens vs Cena, Reigns vs Rollins, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Styles vs Cena
By @TrueGodImmortal
Now that the WWE has decided to turn the Money In The Bank PPV into a Smackdown only PPV, we decided it was only right to take a look back at the best matches that DIDN'T involve the briefcase at the event. What are the best non MITB/1 on 1 matches at the PPV? Let's take a look at the 5 greatest.
5. CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan
WWE Championship
Money In the Bank 2012
-This match was a continuation of the feud between Punk, Bryan, and AJ Lee. AJ Lee was the special guest referee, and Bryan and Punk would go at it in a really solid contest that saw both men get more aggressive than usual. With a No Disqualification stipulation, this wasn't your average technical classic like we saw at Over The Limit 2012, but this was different. Tables and weapons got involved, AJ got involved, and Punk walked away with the 1-2-3 victory to retain the WWE Championship. I feel like this match is honestly forgotten, but it was a truly entertaining contest that might have been even better and higher on this list IF AJ Lee was never involved.
4. Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins
WWE Championship
Money In The Bank 2016
-Initially, I wasn't excited about this match, but I know Seth and Roman have good chemistry, much like Seth and Dean do (Seth and Dean had a great match in 2015 that just missed the list). This match went a bit too long, and started off slow as it was Seth's first big singles match since his return from injury. However, once the pace picked up, both Reigns and Rollins went at it with vigor and a fire, giving each other everything they had to get a hold of that WWE Championship. Reigns was the defending champion, and the belief that Rollins had his number. Sure enough, Rollins DID have his number and as Reigns went for a big spear, Rollins countered it into a Pedigree and picked up the clean pinfall victory. Now, after the match, Ambrose ended up cashing in his briefcase and walking away with the big time victory, but Reigns vs Rollins really didn't disappoint and Rollins getting the huge victory meant a lot to his comeback.
3. Kevin Owens vs John Cena
US Championship
Money In The Bank 2015
-I'm more partial to their classic match at Elimination Chamber, but if I can be honest, this was just as good, if not more exciting at times than that contest. However, when you're trying to outdo one of the best matches of the year already, it can be quite the challenge. Luckily for us as viewers, both Cena and Owens were willing to put it all on the line. After 20 plus minutes of great action, Cena would pick up the victory and get his win back from the previous contest, but Owens looked great even in a loss, a rare occurrence where WWE made a truly concise decision booking wise that hurt neither one of the participants in the match. While I would have rather witnessed Owens win, Cena won in a fashion that seemed to hint at a rematch. Sure enough, we got one the following PPV.
2. AJ Styles vs John Cena
Money In The Bank 2016
-It was surprising that AJ Styles made his way to WWE, but it was even more of a surprise when WWE gave us Cena vs Styles just a few months after his arrival and right when Cena returned from injury. This match was built well with AJ turning heel to kick off the feud, and the actual match itself didn't disappoint. Styles and Cena went back and forth giving each other everything that they had, and it would take some slick interference from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to help turn the match in Styles' favor. Styles would pick up the 1-2-3, and walk away with the biggest victory of his career in a true classic. Styles vs Cena is without a doubt a great feud and this was the match that kicked off their epic run.
1. CM Punk vs John Cena
WWE Championship
Money In The Bank 2011
-This is one of the greatest matches in WWE history. The build for it was epic, Punk was extremely over, and Cena was ready for the challenge. With the thought of Cena possibly losing his job if he didn't defeat Punk, along with the possibility of Punk leaving the WWE with the championship and going elsewhere, this match had so much riding on it. It was a true big fight feel and sure enough, Punk and Cena delivered. For nearly 40 minutes, the two biggest stars of the last two eras went back and forth until something had to give. Punk would end up getting the upper hand and hitting the GTS for a clean pinfall victory, one of the few times that happened on WWE PPV or TV. Punk winning was the right call and after he won, the image of him leaving with the WWE Title is one of the most iconic moments of the last 10 years in wrestling and because of that, there's no way you can put any other match from this short PPV history above it. This is the best match in MITB history period.
-True
