Welcome one and all to my preview and prediction blog for the upcoming "WWE" live special "Money In The Bank". Before I begin I would urge you to check out my preview for the "NXT" live special "Takeover:Chicago"as well as a preview for the upcoming "Blumhouse" horror film "Unfriended:Dark Web" and my review of "Funko" documentary "Making Fun". As always if you have any comments or feedback leave a comment in the section below this post or by following me on "Twitter" and "Instagram".
"Money In the Bank" has to be one of my favourite live specials of the year because who doesn't love a good ladder match ? I still feel that a trick has been missed by the lack of a tag team "Money In The Bank" match and as usual there is no Cruiserweight Championship match but, apart from that I can't complain about the card too much. There hasn't been any matches announced for the pre show as of writing and as always I'll be writing about the matches in no particular order.
1. Daniel Bryan Vs. Big Cass: When Bryan returned to action a few months ago a lot of people, myself included, assumed that he would be thrust into the main event picture. Things have been a little underwhelming since then, instead of facing the likes of AJ Styles or Nakamura he has been lumbered with Big Cass. Cass has been a bit of a disappointment since his return from injury, proving himself to be nothing more than a one dimensional tall guy with little to no personality. I can't see what a loss for Cass would do other than push him further away from the main event. With that being said I fully expect Daniel Bryan to pick up the win.
2. Bobby Lashley Vs. Sami Zayn: This is a strange paring to say the least. I've never been a huge Bobby Lashley fan, even in his first run with the company he was one dimensional and pushed far too quickly. Since then Lashley went to prove himself to be a much improved talent. Sami Zayn has had a bit of a mixed bag in his "WWE" career so far and still has so much to prove, in my opinion. This could be an entertaining enough match that may get lost in the shuffle. I would think that Lashley may come out with the win in this match.
3. Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship: The Bludgeon Brothers (C) Vs. Gallows And Anderson: Of all the teams on the "Smackdown Live" I feel that Gallows and Anderson have been a little under rated and under utilised. They came in with all the hype in the world and apart from a small run with the "RAW" tag team championships they haven't done an awful lot. The Bludgeon Brothers have finally found their own personality, like Braun Strowman, away from the Wyatt Family group and they have run with it. This should be a hard hitting affair from start to finish. As much as I would love to see Gallows and Anderson pick up the win I think the brothers of Bludgeon will pick up the win.
4. Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins (C) Vs. Elias: Elias has really continued to prove himself as a competitor. I really wasn't sold on him, even when he came to "RAW" I thought he may have just been a mid carder at best. It really is his character that has proven the difference. The fans have gravitated toward Elias in such a way that there was no other choice but to give him high profile matches. Seth Rollins has been very vocal about the fact that the Intercontinental Championship is the main belt on "RAW" as the Universal Champion seems to be AWOL a lot of the time. My issue with the Intercontinental Championship still feels like a second string championship, even without the Universal Championship being absent most of the time. That being said this should be a great match that might be the highlight match of the "RAW" brand.
5. Roman Reigns Vs. Jinder Mahal: This is a strange match. Roman Reigns is arguably the biggest star in the "WWE" at the moment and Mahal is being pushed despite the fans not really taking to him. If I'm completely honest I could take or leave this match, so long as it's not the main event match I'd be more than happy if either man won the match.
6. Smackdown Live Women's Championship: Carmella (C) Vs. Asuka: I'm sure I've said it before but, if you had told me that Carmella would have not only successfully cashed in her "Money In The Bank" opportunity but, have beaten Charlotte Flair and would be facing off against Asuka as the defending champion I probably wouldn't have believed you. That's not discounting Carmella, actually the opposite. It shows that management have faith in her ability and improvement so much so that they have really positioned her as one of the top heels on "Smackdown Live" This should be an interesting match with Asuka being dominant throughout. I have a funny feeling that Carmella may pull off the upset with a little help from The Iconics.
7. Women's Money In The Bank - Ember Moon Vs. Charlotte Flair Vs. Alexa Bliss Vs. Becky Lynch Vs. Natalya Vs. Lana Vs. Naomi Vs. Sasha Banks: This is a great mix that truly represents both brands. It would be easy to say either Charlotte Flair or Alexa Bliss will come out with the win but, I really think this may be the time of a long shot. Lana would be a likely winner but, I don't see what if anything that would do for her career. Becky Lynch would be a great winner and would perhaps set up a feud between her and Charlotte as a result of the match. Ember Moon would also be a likely winner but, I feel at this time she really needs to find her feet before getting the main event push. I think the most unlikely winner and, in my opinion, the most logical too would be Natalya. This would more than likely set up a feud between either winner of the "RAW" Women's Championship match.
8. RAW Women's Championship: Nia Jax (C) Vs. Ronda Rousey: This match has been built in a way that plays to the audience that it wants to attract. Originating at a red carpet event this match seems little rushed considering Rousey has only had one match in her young professional wrestling career. Jax is on the verge of being the female equivalent of Roman Reigns. I have warmed to her over the past year or so but, the way in which her character is being developed is like Reigns in the way that fans are reacting negatively and yet she is being sold as a face. This match may either be a decent enough fight or an unwatchable disaster. That being said I think Rousey may come out top and be cashed in on at the end of the match.
9. WWE Championship Last Man Standing: AJ Styles (C) Shinsuke Nakamura: The 3rd match in as many months between "Smackdown Live"s top talent could steal not only the whole show but, could prove to be a match of the year candidate. Making this a last man standing match will ramp up the intensity between these two and really be a match for the ages. I really have loved this programme from start to finish and as much as I would love to see a fourth match between these two I feel that this may be the final chapter for now. I think that Nakamura might finally pick up the win and the "WWE" Championship.
10. Men's Money In the Bank - Braun Strowman Vs. Finn Balor Vs. The Miz Vs. Rusev Vs. Bobby Roode Vs. Kevin Owens Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. One Member Of New Day: Like the women's match this match is a fantastic representation of the talent on both brands. This match will more than likely set up the next Universal Champion if rumours are to believed Lesnar might be on his way out as early as "Summerslam" and logic would dictate that a "RAW" superstar would win in order to become the new face of the red brand. The fan in me would love to see Samoa Joe or Kevin Owens come out on top but, the real "X-Factor" in this match is the unnamed member of New Day that will be in the match. I think it may be Big E and he might be the surprise winner. I think the most likely winner is Braun Strowman because, well he's Braun Strowman and on the run of his career.
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