Tonight is the annual WWE Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View event on the WWE Network. Many titles are on the line, as well as the contracts for future World Title opportunities via the men and women's ladder matches. So who do we think will come out on top? Keep reading to find out!
What began as a gimmick match during WrestleMania several years ago has since blossomed into its own annual event: Money in the Bank (MitB).
The premise of the original match featured several Superstars competing in a ladder match where a briefcase was suspended high above the ring holding within it a contract for a World Title match. The winner would climb the ladder and retrieve the briefcase, securing their title opportunity anytime, any place they so desired.
Now, every year there are two MitB ladder matches, one featuring the men, and the other featuring the woman. Typically four Superstars from both RAW and SmackDown Live for each match.
At this year's event, not only are the two contracts up for grabs in the separate ladder matches, but almost every title in the WWE is on the line! Not to mention a couple of grudge matches that will also be settled before show's end.
Headlining the event are top tier talents like Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Becky Lynch, AJ Styles, Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio, Roman Reigns and more!
With the event taking place just a few hours from now, it's time to get into the matches and make some predictions!
First, we have the MitB Kickoff Show, which will feature two title matches before the main show even gets started. They are the Cruiserweight Championship and the Smackdown Live Tag Team Championships.
Cruiserweight Championship:Tony Nese (c) vs. Ariya Daivari (Kickoff Show)
Tony Nese hasn't held the Cruiserweight Championship for long, so an argument could be made that he has a strong chance of holding onto the title. However, that division is fast-moving by default, so seeing rapid title changes is certainly possible. Nese is really starting to make strides, so my bet's on him retaining either way. Should be a fun, fast-paced match to watch.Prediction: Winner and still Cruiserweight Champion - Tony Nese.
SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships:
Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs. The Usos (Kickoff Show)
The fact that this match is on the Kickoff Show and not the main card may speak volumes of the outcome. The Usos are a RAW tag team now, so booking wise, it makes little sense for them to capture the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships. This seems more like a legitimacy play for Daniel Bryan and Rowan as a tag team. Taking nothing away from the Usos, either, they are THE top team right now, but Bryan is a former multiple time World Champion and Rowan is a very large beast of a man. They are taking the gold tonight.Prediction: Winners and new SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions - Daniel Bryan & Rowan.
Then it's onto the main card. We don't know the order the matches will take place in, so take that into consideration with some of the predictions I make.
United States Championship:
Samoa Joe (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
Samoa Joe has made this personal, bringing Rey's son into the mix, threatening him, using that threat to get in Rey's head. Plus, Joe has a score to settle. Rey pinned him in record time at WrestleMania, so Joe has something to prove. Not to mention Rey makes people look good! So be it distraction, disqualification, what have you, Joe is walking away with the title.Prediction: Win or Lose, still United States Champion - Samoa Joe.
Roman Reigns vs. Elias
Nothing against Elias, but this is hardly the high caliber opponent Reigns deserves at this point. I like Elias, I think he's fantastic in the ring, but I liked him better doing his own thing than as an underling for the McMahons. Now, depending on where this falls on the card, it could feature some interference that would then lead to interference in the Shane/Miz cage match given the crossover between the two feuds of late. If that be the case, Elias pulls out an upset and goes over the Big Dog.
Prediction: Winner (by interference) - Elias.
The Miz vs. Shane McMahon (Steel Cage Match)
The Miz is on RAW now, and this feud has been going on for months. Shane also has been in-ring for months, meaning it's about time to wrap this one up, and what better way to do that than in a steel cage? Now, this could go one of two ways. One, The Miz finally gets his revenge and ends the feud for now. Or two, Shane enlists some help, pulls off another win leading to one more final match between the two. Personally, I think it's starting to get a little stale, and The Miz needs to move on to the brand he's currently assigned to. So The Miz wins, by hook or crook.
Prediction: Winner - The Miz.
Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match:
Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Dana Brooke vs. Bayley vs. Mandy Rose vs. Ember Moon vs. Carmella
The whole reason this event exists is because of these contract ladder matches, and this one in particular is probably the least predictable match of the night this year. I could honestly make an argument for each and every one of these women to potentially win this match. In the end, though, I think it comes down to half the field. The two former winners, Carmella and Alexa Bliss, and two women that not so long ago were involved in a feud, Mandy Rose and Naomi. Of those four, Mandy seems to be getting a big push right now, and she's the only one of them that has yet to hold the title. Plus she'll do whatever it takes to win, including involving Sonya Deville. It will make Cory Graves very happy too!Prediction: Winner and Miss Money in the Bank - Mandy Rose.
Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match:
Ricochet vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor vs. Ali vs. Andrade vs. Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton
Like the women, an argument could be made for each of these superstars as well, but not as strong a case for some. But again, like the women, I think it comes down to four, two of which have won it in the past: Randy Orton, Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre and Andrade. They're hot on Andrade, and Corbin seems to rise above no matter what. But I do believe it's the Scottish Psychopath's time, and therefore he comes out on top.
Prediction: Winner and Mr. Money in the Bank - Drew McIntyre.
SmackDown Live Women's Championship:
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
Logic would dictate that Becky loses at least one of her two titles, but that would make the "Becky Two Belts" nickname very short-lived. It would be a shame after all this, that Charlotte would defeat her and take the SmackDown Live Women's Championship. However, if Becky wins, then loses the other title, that places her squarely on Smackdown in the same stale feuds she's been in for some time. The RAW scene is much fresher and more interesting for Becky at this point, so if she loses one, it'll be to Charlotte. But I don't think that happens. Instead, I think an MiTB cash in is at play.
Prediction 1: Winner and still SmackDown Live Women's Champion - Becky Lynch.
Prediction 2: MiTB Winner Mandy Rose cashes in to become the new SmackDown Women's Champion.
WWE Championship:
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Kofi Kingston had his Wrestlemania moment, yes, but is that really all that's left for Kofi? He's been a fighting champion and he's defied the odds so far. Owens is bigger and stronger, but Kofi has more heart. KO has Sami, but Kofi has Xavier. Kofi's more than a paper champion, he's proven that, and he proves it once more tonight.
Prediction: Winner and still WWE Champion - Kofi Kingston.
RAW Women's Championship:
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lacey Evans
Reeling off the loss of the SmackDown Live Women's Championship, Becky has to pick herself up and defend the RAW Women's Championship (depending where both these matches fall on the card). But she's already lost one, she's not about to lose the other. Lacy's tougher than Becky bargains for, maybe even dominates, but Becky pulls it off in the end.
Prediction: Winner and still RAW Women's Champion - Becky Lynch.
Universal Championship:
Seth Rollins (c) vs. AJ Styles
This will be one for the ages. These two will steal the show, no doubt about it. These are two of my favorites, and two of the all-time greats. AJ Styles, as good as he is, though, is in Rollin's world now. The two will go back and forth, every move, every spot, every false finish will be employed. But when the dust settles, by a hair, the champ retains.
Prediction: Winner and still Universal Champion - Seth Freakin' Rollins.
Those are all the matches we know of right now. Two titles not up for grabs as far as we know currently are the RAW Tag Team Championships and the Women's Tag Team Championships. It's doubtful we'd see either of those defended with such an already stacked card. Should we, though, I'd predict them to be:
Women's Tag Team Championship:
The IIconics (c) vs. The Kabuki Warriors
Prediction: Winners and new Women's Tag Team Champions - The Kabuki Warriors.
RAW Tag Team Championship:
Curt Hawkins & Zach Ryder (c) vs. The Revival
Prediction: Winners and new RAW Tag Team Champions - The Revival.
However, like I said, it's unlikely either of those matches will take place.
These are my picks, my predictions, watch Money in the Bank tonight to find out how I fared in them. I'd love to hear your thoughts and predictions in the comments below! And if you'd like to see me do these predictions in the future for other events, please let me know!
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Well, I got 4 out of 11 right... LOL - Brant
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