We’re just a few hours away from one of the most underrated PPV events the WWE puts on every year, Money in the Bank.
If you’re looking for a night in WWE where literally anything can happen, then this is the show for you. With not one but TWO MITB ladder matches tonight (including one for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight titles), there is plenty of anticipation and mystery over what will take place from the TD Garden in Boston.
Let’s take a look at the some of the key match-ups on tonight’s card.
Daniel Bryan addresses the WWE Universe
On the pre-show for tonight’s PPV, former champ Daniel Bryan will address the fans for the first time since his YES! Movement was cut short by a neck injury. We will likely get an update on his status and a timeline of when we can expect the fan-favorite back. Here’s hoping we only get good news from Bryan, the Universe misses their bearded goat.
Big E vs. Rusev
This is a rematch of a bout we already saw a month ago, but WWE is insistent on making Rusev a monster Russian heel and Big E his Cold War counterpart. While the storyline is a bit iffy, the last time these guys hooked up in the ring it was actually a pretty solid match. Look for Rusev to continue his dominant winning streak here.
Summer Rae vs. Layla (w/ Fandango as special guest referee)
I really cannot believe this angle is still going on. Fandango dumped Summer Rae and got with Layla, and for about 3 months the two divas have been fighting about it. Now the idea is that Fandango must choose between the two by being special guest referee and well yeah that’s about it. Yay for time-killing on the undercard! Expect Fandango to help Layla win and cause an epic hissy-fit from Summer Rae.
Rybaxel vs. Goldust & Stardust
This match is really all about Stardust aka Cody Rhodes. After months and months of losing, Rhodes re-invented himself as Stardust, a slightly different version of big brother Goldust’s character. And while it may be a bit odd and disappointing to see someone with as much talent as Cody be stuck in a character like this, you can’t say he isn’t committed completely.
Yet I can’t help but be disappointed that we are having two ladder matches tonight and Cody isn’t involved in either of them. Here’s hoping this doesn’t last much longer and we can get back to Cody Rhodes, future WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Stardust & Goldust should be picking up the win here.
Paige vs. Naomi (WWE Diva’s Title Match)
Wait, we’re getting TWO divas matches on the same PPV card? This is actually pretty surprising considering there are a bunch of guys being left off of the card completely, but WWE is all in on the Total Divas train.
Paige is the newest Diva on the roster who shocked the world by winning the Diva’s title from AJ Lee in her very first match. After beating some of the heel Divas over the past few months, she faces Naomi, a legitimate threat to take her precious gold off of her. This should actually be a pretty good match as both Divas are good workers in the ring. Expect Paige to hold onto her gold here though.
The Usos vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan (WWE Tag Team Title Match)
Talk about a clash in styles. The Usos are the high-flying, crowd-pleasing twins who put on an aerial display every time they hit the ring. Harper and Rowan are well, brutally physical and there to break their opponents in half.
This bout has been building up for weeks as the Usos continue to team with John Cena, Sheamus and pretty much anyone the Wyatt Family targets. But after being defeated by the two disciples of Bray Wyatt in non-title matches, the champions definitely have their backs up against the wall here. Look for Harper & Rowan to capture the gold and bring the Wyatt Family its first championship reign.
Traditional Money in the Bank Contract Match (Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Jack Swagger vs. Bad News Barrett vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler)
Now we get to the meat and potatoes of this card, the ladder matches.
First up we have the traditional MITB match for a briefcase containing a WWE World Heavyweight Title contract opportunity that can be cashed in at any time. One of the best things about WWE from the summer through the end of the year is waiting for the winner of this match to cash-in and the anticipation over when it will happen.
While this match has seven participants, there are really only 4 guys who actually have a shot at taking the brief case. With news of a separated shoulder likely knocking Bad News Barret out of the match (a loss for all of us really), this number shrinks to three unless WWE decides to insert a replacement.
Seth Rollins is the odds-on favorite to win this match. After turning on the Shield and aligning with Triple H, Rollins has been showcased quite frequently on WWE programming. His high-flying and arsenal of impressive spots will likely steal the show in this match (sorry Kofi), and don’t be surprised to see the COO get involved in a screwy finish to help Rollins grab the briefcase.
Dean Ambrose is another contender to win this match, being inserted after repeatedly attacking Rollins during his matches. Ambrose has taken on a brawler’s persona after being betrayed by Rollins, and while his focus should be on the briefcase hanging above the ring, there’s a good chance the all Ambrose wants to do is destroy Rollins, even at the expense of winning the match.
And the third participant with a chance to win this match is Dolph Zi… you know what I just can’t. The WWE is not going to push Ziggler no matter how much we all love him and no matter how many times he steals the show. Can’t wait to see how they screw him out of winning this one. #PUSHZIGGLER!!
Expect Rollins to walk out of the match with the briefcase and his title shot.
WWE World Heavyweight Title Money in the Bank Match (Roman Reigns vs. John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Kane vs. Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro)
This is going to be one hell of a match. With eight (EIGHT!) participants in the match having an opportunity to win the titles, this match will be physical and full of insane spots. The best part of the bout is that there are so many legitimate outcomes in play here.
Could WWE shock the world and put the straps on one of their young rising stars? Cesaro is a Paul Heyman guy who might be the strongest pound for pound wrestler in the company. The King of Swing is a fan favorite who could steal the title and be th next Heyman guy to shock the world.
Or what about the Eater of Worlds Bray Wyatt? With his disciples likely taking home tag team titles earlier in the night, it would be fitting for the leader of the group to walk out as WWE World Heavyweight Champ. Wyatt is a monster heel, probably the best in the company already, and a would be the perfect opponent for Daniel Bryan once he returns from injury.
And then there’s the golden boy, Roman Reigns. For the past two weeks, WWE has showcased Reigns in a way none of the the other MITB competitors have been shown. After winning his way into the match, Reigns dominated in a handicap tag match including all participants, standing tall to end Raw following a monstrous spear to Kane. Could the future be now for Reigns?
Of course, there are a few veterans in this match who might have something to say about the young guys winning. Kane was inserted into the bout at the last minute by the Authority, and while he could win the match, seems to be there to ensure that Randy Orton takes home the gold. The Viper for his part has been quiet in recent months, turning into Triple H’s lackey instead of the heel we’ve all grown accustomed to, so his winning the match may be just as unlikely.
Then there are Del Rio & Sheamus. While Sheamus is a fan-favorite and Del Rio is a man all WWE fans love to hate, their characters have grown stale in recent months. The Irishman specifically has suffered from a bit of a pause in his growth. A heel turn and win here could propel Sheamus back into the spotlight, aligning him with the Authority and becoming the company’s new corporate champion.
And then of course, there’s John Cena. WWE fans everywhere saw the field for this match, saw the Reigns push the last few weeks and immediately expected the company to flush it all down the toilet and take the safe route by putting the straps on Cena. I can’t say that I’m not completely expecting this to happen as well, much to the dismay of 99% of the fans watching at home.
While Reigns time is coming, it doesn’t seem like the WWE is willing to give him the title just yet. I hope I’m wrong about this, because it’s time for some new blood in the title scene in the company. But barring a major comeback (Brock Lesnar? CM Punk? Daniel Bryan?), we’re probably going to end the night with Cena holding the gold and his hometown crowd booing him straight off of the air.
Sigh. #PUSHZIGGLER!!!