The Money in the Bank pay-per-view always feels like the real start to WWE’s creative year. The show has a chance to uproot the current landscape depending on how adventurous WWE wants to get with its booking.
There is plenty to take in Sunday from the Allstate Arena in Chicago with the new 7 p.m. start time for the main card on the WWE Network. Here are five things not to take your eyes off other than the briefcases hanging above the ring:
Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Rollins has become WWE’s top in-ring performer in recent months, so don’t leave the couch. We will learn a lot about where Elias belongs on the card by the quality of match he helps. Plus, you might see a guitar shot. John Mayer should be able to afford to buy Elias a new one, right?
I’ll be the last one standing
We have reached the apex of the AJ Styles-Shinsuke Nakamura feud, and it could be the end of the Phenomenal One’s reign as WWE champion.
There should be no holding back here, especially for the heel character Nakamura has become. This needs to be fast, physical and tell the story of two guys refusing to be bested by the other man. This rivalry needs a signature match, and the pieces are in place for it.
Golden girl?
Every moment is important to developing Ronda Rousey — the character and the performer. She left an excellent impression at WrestleMania, but her first televised singles match — and for a title — is a different story.
Is it too soon to put a championship on her, or is a title change needed for people to want to see more of her and Nia Jax? Will we see some progression or a quick match that protects Rousey? Can Jax, who isn’t exactly a veteran in the ring, lead Rousey through this, especially if something goes wrong?
WWE won’t allow the match to be bad, but the build for this hasn’t been great, so the in-ring product needs to be better than good.
This could be Awesome
Don’t expect any boos when this match ends with a field full of deserving candidates and enough risk takers for some crazy spots.
Baron Corbin’s failed cash-in last year could lead to a proven commodity emerging. That eliminates mid-carders Rusev (yes, even on Rusev Day), Bobby Roode and the chosen New Day member. Braun Strowman should never need a briefcase to win a title.
We are left with Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, The Miz and Kevin Owens. All four would be great as Mr. Money in the Bank, but does WWE want to put another player into the Universal title picture? Joe stalking with the briefcase would sure be fun, but a Miz victory could be a precursor of much bigger things to come.
Friend or foe
There are more obvious potential winners in the women’s match.
Lana is unproven, Ember Moon is too new to the main roster and recent SmackDown champion Naomi just won the women’s battle royal at WrestleMania. Charlotte Flair has no need for the briefcase, and Alexa Bliss was recently Raw women’s champion. Cross them off.
Carmella’s cash-in being so recent likely eliminates SmackDown’s Becky Lynch (though she could use the win and relevancy). So that leaves Sasha Banks and Natalya, who just so happens to be friends with Ronda Rousey, unless WWE throws a curveball. Will Rousey soon need to watch her front and her back?
Nothing is a given, even James Ellsworth (the first person to pull down the women’s Money in the Bank briefcase) possibly making another appearance. Ellsworth recently backed out of his previous commitment for Sunday with Middle Kingdom Wrestling. For the match’s sake, let’s hope this is just a coincidence.
Predictions
The Bludgeon Brothers (c) over Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows for the SmackDown Live tag team championship. (Kickoff show)
While the Good Brothers could use the titles for relevancy, the belts likely aren’t leaving Luke Harper and Erick Rowan anytime soon.
Bobby Lashley over Sami Zayn
Did you see Lashley on that obstacle course on “Raw”? Zayn has put in yeoman’s work trying to put over the force-fed Lashley.
Jinder Mahal over Roman Reigns
Sunil Singh helps Mahal steal a victory. If you have any shot of helping Reigns, it’s through knocking him down with Mahal’s heel heat.
Daniel Bryan over Big Cass
Unfortunately, WWE doesn’t appear ready to end this feud. Big Cass is more concerned with beating down Bryan than beating him and he gets disqualified.
Carmella (c) over Asuka for the SmackDown Live women’s championship
This finish won’t be clean. Carmella, who has become an excellent, annoying heel, can now boast about another big win with help from the IIconics or some shady tactics.
Seth Rollins (c) over Elias for the Intercontinental championship
Rollins is the hottest performer in the company right now and a potential future Universal champion. Elias is left singing the blues in Chicago.
Ronda Rousey over Nia Jax (c) for the Raw women’s championship
There is a chance for a DQ finish, and Rousey chases the belt to SummerSlam and wins it. But with Jax and Rousey booked for MSG in July and a certain friend as the possible Money in the Bank winner, I’d bank on Rousey — as always — by armbar.
Shinsuke Nakamura over A.J. Styles (c) for the WWE championship
The feud really has been about Nakamura’s transition into a fantastic heel. Why stop it in its tracks with a loss? The King of Strong Style is the last man standing.
Natalya wins the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
It’s a chalk pick, but makes the most sense. Her knee injury could be faked as part of the storyline (which Rousey might not take well), and the case builds a slow heat to give Rousey something to do after her feud with Jax.
The Miz wins the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match
In a stacked field, only one man is the perfect fit for the case. He deserves it for his recent work (and new TV show), will sell the holy hell out of having it and possibly use it to ignite one of the best feuds WWE has to offer. Yes! Yes! Yes!