WWE Money in the Bank: Sad State of Affairs

Triple Z is back to predict WWE Money in the Bank. 

So, WWE really botched post-WrestleMania. Vince McMahon can't make up his mind regarding the superstar shake-up which leads us to the new and groan-worthy "wild-card"  rule. Where basically RAW and SmackDown stars can jump brands. Pretty pathetic considering the brand split. Reportedly, the move comes from both NBC and FOX as they are now worried WWE will not have enough talent to sell both shows weekly. 

Well, dang maybe this is something they should've game-planned for. 

To make WWE's declining ratings and creative issues even worse. New reports from various outlets are stating that Triple H and most of the WWE creative team are at odds with Vince McMahon and his lack of change. They even say that both Shane and Stephanie McMahon spoke to their father on the issues. And now let's add salt into the WWE wound. 

All Elite Wrestling has a partner in WarnerMedia. I have had many Twitter musings on AEW, and this was one of the keys for me. AEW got more than a television partner. They got a place for television and pay-per-view events. Not to mention the possible synergy of AEW becoming a part of HBO Sports. For now, AEW will be on TNT officially this fall. The network hypes it as their return into the wrestling business. The network sent out a gif with the AEW logo with flames reminiscent of WCW Monday Nitro in the background. AEW's first event Double or Nothing will also be available through Bleacher Report Live. Vince McMahon will be facing his first real competition in years. Even if WWE doesn't show it. It has to be unsettling that the former network that wanted you out of business got back into the wrestling business. (Yes, I know Ted Turner is no longer involved with TNT but this whole TNT/Dusty Rhodes revenge angle with AEW is fun to write about it). 

Now let's predict Money in the Bank, an event that WWE needs to execute well. 

Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs The Uso's 

Let me start by saying the last few weeks of WWE television has been a bore. Hysterically bad from the standpoint the brand split is becoming more and more confusing. Some say WWE should abolish it. I totally disagree, the brand split when done well and with the amount of talent WWE has would beneficial for the entire roster. More champions the better, and more important matches to happen when there is a clear focus for both shows. 

Our first match is a prime example of what not to do. The Uso's were just moved to RAW and now they are fighting for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles? Also, this isn't like a feud that was leftover from the shake up. This came out of nowhere. 

Daniel Bryan is currently in a cool down phase after becoming the hottest heel in WWE, and helping Kofi Kingston transition into a singles main event star. If WWE was smart they keep Daniel Bryan on SmackDown this fall and they turn him babyface once again. Have Daniel Bryan have the babyface reign he was robbed of. 

As for this match The Uso's shouldn't even be considered to win. Let's not ruin the brand split even more. 

Winners: Daniel Bryan and Rowan

Tony Nese vs Ariya Daivari

The Cruiserweights just do their own thing. To me it doesn't really matter right now. 205 Live continues its brand crisis. The only things that brand has going for itself is that Drake Maverick acts as a general manager and that the talent can now escape the brand for either RAW, SmackDown, NXT, or NXT UK in a call up fashion. 

Winner: Tony Nese

Samoa Joe vs Rey Mysterio

This is a leftover feud from WrestleMania/shake up. Rey Mysterio and Samoa Joe have a good chance at putting on an absolute clinic. I still think Samoa Joe wins but with a healthy Rey Mysterio in the mix we can be in for a more entertaining match. 

Winner: Samoa Joe

Men's Money in the Bank

Money in the Bank should be the easiest pay-per-view to hype. The event has year-round implications for both men and women's divisions. This year's match is pretty solid. Yes, I'm not a fan of McIntyre or Corbin but the rest of the group is worthy. WWE has a lot of angles they could go with this match. Could the grizzled vet in Orton carrying a briefcase energize an entire roster? Why not? Can you imagine an RKO out of nowhere leading into a cash in? Andrade has to be the favorite. Purely because he is a heel. Ricochet and Ali could be good winners along with Balor. Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre, or Baron Corbin winning would be heel heat although Sami Zayn was once a lovable underdog character before facing the realities of the main roster. 

McIntyre is an unrealistic pick along with Baron Corbin just from the pure standpoint they don't need the contract. Why you might ask? They are gifted opportunities constantly.  Constantly. Trust me, these two will get plenty of title shots. Also, no need to have a boring cash in. 

When push comes to shove. I think I'm going to go with Randy Orton. It's not a popular choice but I don't know if I have the confidence in WWE to give Andrade the briefcase especially considering his ally Zelina Vega isn't in the women's version. 

Winner: Randy Orton

Women's Money in the Bank

Is it bad I want to see Carmella win it again? I would've been fine with Alexa Bliss winning but she got injured. I could see Mandy Rose winning the match in a Carmella-like fashion with her partner Sonya Deville coming to help her. 

Naomi, Natalya, and Bayley don't fit the current storylines at all. Bayley could make an intriguing opponent for Becky Lynch considering the four horsewomen angle but that seems unlikely. I know what Nikki Cross and Ember Moon accomplished in NXT but why should I care now? I think that's the biggest issue with NXT call ups particularly in the women's division unless they are introduced right (example: IIconics, Zelina Vega, Lacey Evans) they usually fall flat and the audience forgets what made them special. We've seen that with Moon, Cross, and even Bayley. 

Dana Brooke is a mystery case considering she had a moment at WrestleMania and now she's thrown into the women's main event scene. It's a particular weird move when you have Mickie James on the sideline but I guess Dana Brooke is well-liked and this was WWE Creative's way of giving her props. So, just from that it's hard to really knock her in this particular scenario other then it feels random. Does she have a shot at winning? Probably not. If she somehow won the match it would make intriguing television and with the current state of WWE. I think we could use a couple surprises. 

I'm going Mandy Rose. I'll be rooting for Carmella as my close second but it seems like WWE likes Mandy Rose enough to give her a massive run. 

Winner: Mandy Rose

Becky Lynch vs Lacey Evans

They want Becky Lynch to do a Chris Jericho. Yet, I don't think it has the same meaning at all. I kinda wanted to see Lacey Evans win the title from Becky Lynch in her first big match but I'm fine with waiting for Lacey Evans to win the big one. For now, I think the best case scenario is have Becky Lynch hold both titles until Ronda Rousey eventually returns. That's where the money is at. Please WWE don't justify putting Charlotte Flair into the mix when Ronda Rousey does come back.  The feud is clearly Lynch vs Rousey. I also think if Becky Lynch's gimmick starts to wear thin it could be the perfect opportunity to have Rousey come back KO her and win the title. 

Not to mention they botched the main event of WrestleMania so it's hard to get behind Becky Lynch right now because her win still feels tainted. 

Winner: Becky Lynch

The Miz vs Shane McMahon

Honestly have to give this one to The Miz. Then give Shane McMahon a break until SummerSlam. Not much to say on this one. 

Winner: The Miz

Roman Reigns vs Elias

Honestly this should be a solid match. Elias and Roman Reigns getting a chance to fight will be pretty cool to watch. It's clear Roman Reigns will be a big part of FOX's SmackDown this fall. So, maybe this is his path to the WWE Championship. 

Winner: Roman Reigns

Kofi Kingston vs Kevin Owens

This should be a fantastic match. Kofi Kingston was one of the bright spots of a now unmemorable WrestleMania. Yes, I said it. If WWE would've had a better WrestleMania and post-WrestleMania they wouldn't of fallen into this boring abyss. Anyways, Kofi Kingston is going to survive against Kevin Owens. I still find it funny that Vince McMahon considers Kevin Owens "Championship" material now as in the past he would've never picked someone like Kevin Owens to carry a title. 

Winner: Kofi Kingston

Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair

Can someone make it stop? Can we move on from this please? Please, I am begging you. There are countless other women superstars that could put on great matches with Becky Lynch. The only problem they have is Lynch's character is clearly an anti-hero. So, they aren't exactly opening the doors for babyfaces to develop. Even though they should. Becky Lynch's character holding two titles has so much potential. Let's see if they can move on and create some new feuds for her. 

Winner: Becky Lynch

Seth Rollins vs AJ Styles 

Dream Match.

Maybe we can change this title design too? This should be a fun match. I don't think AJ Styles is going to win but who knows considering his move to RAW now actually doesn't mean anything. 

Seth Rollins could end up holding this championship until WrestleMania if he stays healthy. No clue who could possibly take it off him especially after he defeated Brock Lesnar. 

Winner: Seth Rollins


I'm optimistic for Money in the Bank considering the current product has been so bad. This could be a good night to really embrace surprises and have overall good matches. 

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