Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns today with all the news in wrestling and MMA including a full rundown of the WWE Money in the Bank PPV, a look at all the matches and angles, New Japan Dominion coverage, what’s up with Anthony Rumble Johnson, mailbag questions and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
WWE’s Money In The Bank is set for Sunday night in the brand-new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, featuring the resuming of a heated rivalry in the main event, a strong MITB match, and two true wrestling superstars hooking it up for the very first time.
After the event, send your thoughts on both this show and on New Japan Dominion, with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
This is the seventh MITB show in company history, and the first in Vegas. Last year saw Rollins as WWE Champion in the main event, successfully defending his belt against Dean Ambrose in a ladder match.
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GOLDUST & R-TRUTH VS. TYLER BREEZE & FANDANGO
So the deal was Breeze & Fandango were in the tanning bed, but R-Truth and Goldust messed with them so they were all blistered and peeling from a horrible sunburn. Every time any part of their body was touched, they yelled and screamed in pain. This made for a nothing match as that kind of comedy either works or doesn’t. In this case, there was no crowd reaction. Goldust pinned Fandango with the final cut. This was short with nothing to it.
DUDLEYS VS. LUCHA DRAGONS
A lot better than their first match. Dragons won when Kalisto used the Salida del Sol on Bubba, and Sin Cara came off the top rope with a senton onto Bubba. The match was fine and just a normal match. The highlight saw the Lucha Dragons do a double running flip dive.
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE NEW DAY VS. ENZO & CASS VS. VAUDEVILLAINS VS. LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON — FATAL FOUR WAY
There were lots of near falls that got the crowd into it, but at times, the execution was rough. Final sequence was Gallows/Anderson hitting the Magic Killer on English, but Big E picked up Anderson during the pinfall attempt into a powerslam position. Gallows stared at this for what felt like 5 minutes waiting for Big Cass to get in the ring to clothesline him out. Kingston came off the top on a double team and New Day got the pin and win on Gallows.
– Kevin Owens did an interview and said his mom told him he is special. Chris Jericho came out and made fun of Owens having a chipped tooth. Jericho, sporting a black left eye, talked about creating the Money in the Bank match. Owens and Jericho argued back-and-forth until Alberto Del Rio came out. Owens made fun of him speaking Spanish. Owens said how Jericho and Del Rio say the same thing in every interview. Owens made fun of Del Rio calling everyone Perros every week. This segment was hilarious.
DOLPH ZIGGLER VS. BARON CORBIN
Match went too long and the crowd kind of lost interest. There were boring chants at one point. Corbin just doesn’t show much of anything and people aren’t that into him. The feud has done Ziggler no favors. The finish saw Ziggler on the top rope, but Corbin tripped him and he fell on the top turnbuckle. Corbin won clean with the End of Days, and the announcers indicated the feud was over.
WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPION CHARLOTTE & DANA BROOKE VS. NATALYA & BECKY LYNCH
The early matches went long as they were light of time. Most of the match was working over Natalya. Natlaya had Charlotte in the Sharpshooter, Brooke made the save, and threw Lynch into Natalya. Charlotte used Natural Selection on Natalya for the pin. Natalya went heel post-match, turning on Lynch for costing her the match and beating her down.
Dean Ambrose did an interview, and was asked about Rollins vs. Reigns. He said Roman is going to have a good time beating up Seth because beating up Seth is fun.
SHEAMUS VS. APOLLO CREWS
Crews won, but the story was it was a fluke. Sheamus had him pinned with the White Noise off the middle rope, but Crews kicked out. Sheamus started yelling at the ref, and Crews pinned him with a crucifix. This was the kind of a finish that made you think it’s just the beginning between these two. The match was solid, Crews got the crowd behind him by the end, and looked good. One notable spot was Crews doing a moonsault off the apron with a splash onto the floor.
JOHN CENA VS. A.J. STYLES
Excellent match. The story was that Styles was the better wrestler than Cena, beating him at every turn but that he couldn’t finish him. Cena kicked out of the Styles Clash, and Styles kicked out of the Attitude Adjustment. They also both made the ropes on the STF by Cena and Calf Crusher by Styles. Styles never used the forearm and Cena got his knees up on a springboard 450. The finish saw Cena have Styles up for the Attitude Adjustment, but the ref went down and out of the ring. Cena hit the move but there was no ref to count. Anderson and Gallows came out and used the Magic Killer on Cena, and Styles got the pin. The story is that Gallows & Anderson interfered on their own and that Styles didn’t know they were doing it. JBL was going crazy saying how they ruined his dream match.
MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH: DEAN AMBROSE, CHRIS JERICHO, ALBERTO DEL RIO, SAMI ZAYN, CESARO, KEVIN OWENS
Another excellent match with tons of spots involving ladder bumps. Cesaro, in particular, took all kinds of crazy bumps. Everyone did their finishes and took big ladder bumps, but there was nothing really insane like used to be the case in these matches. Everyone took big moves, and Owens took out Zayn with a power bomb on the ladder. Ambrose took out Jericho and climbed up to win.
US CHAMPION RUSEV VS. TITUS O’NEIL
This was in the death spot and they really had no chance with the crowd. They worked hard in a physical match. O’Neil got some offense and near falls before Rusev used a high kick, a superkick and the Accolade for the submission.
Rusev then went up to O’Neil’s kids at ringside, told them that their father was a loser and said “Happy Father’s Day.”
WWE CHAMPION ROMAN REIGNS VS. SETH ROLLINS
The match was flat at times because it went so long. People just weren’t into Reigns at all and Rollins was more popular but not that over as a face either. The match itself was very good in the sense they went 26 minutes and it well. By the end, the crowd was into it. Reigns missed a spear and crashed into the barricade and was injured. He tried a pedigree but Reigns drove him into the ref who went down. Reigns hit the spear but Mike Chioda was down and hesitated which enabled Rolins to kick out. He went for a second spear but Rollins turned it into a pedigree and Reigns kicked out. Rollins got the pin after a second pedigree to regain the WWE title.
Then, Ambrose’s music hit and out he came with the MITB briefcase. He cashed it in, the match started, Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds, and eight seconds later, Ambrose was your new WWE Champion.
Hear Bryan Alvarez and I recap the show and more on the newest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
It’s time once again for a briefcase to be put on a run as WWE’s Money in the Bank event is upon us!
The big story over the last month? Well, six guys are having a ladder match, and the winner gets the briefcase. That’s essentially the story. Meanwhile, Stephanie and Shane McMahon are bickering over the upcoming brand split and have no real idea what they’re doing or what they are going to do when the time comes. But hey, John Cena and AJ Styles have had a hot start to their feud! After turning on Cena in a swerve, Styles looks to bring his A-game against Cena, who considers himself the measuring stick of WWE. Will Styles prevail in this first-ever encounter, or will Cena overcome the odds as usual?
We also have a big main event as a returning Seth Rollins looks to take the title he never lost when he faces champion Roman Reigns. Rollins won’t go down without a fight, and neither will Regins. Will we see a decisive conclusion, or is this just the begining of a long program?
Current Scoreboard
Bryan Rose: Is there even one person out there who remotely cares about this match? The blow off should have been two months ago but we’re still getting matches. Why? What did we do to deserve this?
Winner: Baron Corbin
Alan O’Brien: As Bryan says above, there is no rationale whatsoever for this match’s existence. None. One meaningless pre-show match is enough, thanks. Corbin to win by non-Roshambo means.
Winner: Baron Corbin
James Cox: There is very little to be excited about here. Ziggler won last month at Extreme Rules, so 50/50 booking says Corbin goes over.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Jeremy Peeples: This is a feud over basically nothing and it refuses to end. Dolph got the better of Baron via a low-blow on Raw, so I’ll give Baron the win here since he should get revenge and he’s taller.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Peach Machine: Corbin by second round submission. Head and arm choke.
Winner Corbin
Steve Khan: I could see Ziggler winning since both Rusev and Miz could need opponents soon, but the last thing that happened with these two was Ziggler kicking Corbin in the nuts, so…
Winner: Baron Corbin
Kyle S. Johnson: Hey, this match is happening! It really, really should not be happening, but it is. Corbin would probably have been better off to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, disappear back to NXT for a few months with the trophy, and then reemerge during the draft with some actual purpose. Instead, he’ll get another somehow-even-more meaningless win over Ziggler, and hopefully (HOPEFULLY) get shuffled off into another feud.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Ryan Frederick: I’m probably in the minority in liking Baron Corbin but this feud has done nothing for him. He should get the win in a blow off to the feud as Dolph’s role should be to put him over.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Brian Hoops: If they ever plan on doing anything with Corbin, he absolutely has to win and move on to another feud. He needs a clean and decisive win.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Bryan Rose: Crews is another example of being called up because you have a good look, but beyond that creative has nothing for you. I think this should be fine, as Sheamus is a good worker and Crews has tons of potential as a worker, but who knows if they will even be given enough time to showcase that. Let’s give Crews the first win just because.
Winner: Apollo Crews
Alan O’Brien: Crews has schlepped around on the C-shows since Wrestlemania, spinning his smiley wheels against the flotsam and jetsam of the WWE roster. I seriously doubt that Vince will allow this guy, looking the way he does, to lose his first serious (-ish) match. Especially on the pre-show, where babyfaces usually go over.
Winner: Apollo Crews
James Cox: Although Crews ought to win here and Sheamus in mid-card hell, I think they’ll go with Crews. But Crew needs to extend his move-set and they need to do something with him fast.
Winner: Apollo Crews
Jeremy Peeples: It’s another feud that hasn’t really been built up well. They’ve done a bit on Raw with Sheamus as a bully who is afraid of Crews, but haven’t made anything personal. Sheamus began the year as WWE Champion and now he’s in what feels like a pre-show feud – so he should win this to regain something resembling momentum, but Crews also shouldn’t be losing programs right now.
Winner: Sheamus
Peach Machine: I just recently watched the first four Rocky movies, and as I recall, Apollo Creed never lost a match and nothing bad ever happened to him, which makes this a no brainer.
WInner: Apollo Crews
Steve Khan: This could go the way of Ziggler/Corbin, with Sheamus getting the first win for no reason. Crews humiliated Sheamus last time they were on TV, but I’ll still go with Crews.
Winner: Apollo Crews
Kyle S. Johnson: The only reason for this feud seems to be realizing the idea that throwing these two together for a bit showcases Apollo on a PPV (or before it, anyway) with a guy who is pretty well established and gives him a win over a former world champion. I don’t really have much of an expectation for the quality of this match, but I expect Apollo to win clean and hope that this feud is more of a launching pad for Apollo and less the seemingly endless mid-card nothing crawl that Ziggler vs. Corbin has become.
Winner: Apollo Crews
Ryan Frederick: They’re finally doing something with Apollo Crews and Sheamus is a good place to start. Sheamus is in a place of going nowhere and Crews should be built up for something bigger. Here’s hoping they can have a solid match, and Crews shouldn’t be losing right now.
Winner: Apollo Crews
Brian Hoops: Sheamus’ best days are past and Crews is getting his first major feud on the main roster. It would be complete insanity to beat him now, which may happen, but shouldn’t.
Winner Apollo Crews
Bryan Rose: I like O’Neal as a talker, and he’s always doing good things in public which is nice. I’m really sure he is father of the year, for all I know. But in the ring, he’s not much, and that is putting it lightly. There might be some chemistry here I’m unaware of, but beyond that I’m not expecting much, and since Rusev has more upside as a wrestling talent, he should probably get the win here.
Winner: Rusev
Alan O’Brien: This is just a title defence for Rusev. The build up has been so paint-by-numbers that it’s plainly obvious how little they care about Titus. That makes two of us.
Winner: Rusev
James Cox: Rusev to win in what is a very weak match for a ppv. If they really wanted to pull the trigger on Titus O’Neil they would have done it by now – he’s 39.
Winner: Rusev
Jeremy Peeples: It’s good to see Titus involved in a title program right after his suspension. However, he doesn’t have any momentum as a singles act and his limitations stand out more in one on one matches. This should be a short powerhouse vs. powerhouse match, and Rusev should go over clearly.
Winner: Rusev
Peach Machine: You don’t take the steam off of Rusev right now, and certainly not with the Real Deal Dad of the Year.
Winner: Rusev
Steve Khan: I really doubt O’Neil wins the title. I could see Rusev getting himself DQ’d and they do this again later.
Winner: Titus O’Neil (Rusev retains)
Kyle S. Johnson: Rusev is probably one of the three or four best things going on the main roster right now, and taking the belt off of him a month after winning it to put it on dead-in-the-water Titus O’Neil makes no sense — even if they think they’ll get some kind of pub for putting it on the Mega Dad of the Year. Of course, they could do it, if only because it’s been shown for the past several months that WWE really has no idea what to do with the U.S. Championship when it is around the waist of anyone not named John Cena. I’m just really going to hope that they do not, because with the brand split imminent, building Rusev up as a monster and having him rejuvenate that title sure sounds like a ball to run with.
Winner: Rusev
Ryan Frederick: Rusev is entertaining and should be hot for the brand split as he can be an effective top heel if creative plays their cards right. Nice to see Titus getting some TV and PPV time but he really shouldn’t have a title around his waist. Keep this short and put Rusev over strong.
Winner: Rusev
Brian Hoops: How cool of a story would it be to have the “father of the year” win the title on Father’s Day? For that reason, Rusev retains the title. WWE would never do that simple and awesome storyline, they have to be cute and creative.
Winner: Rusev
Bryan Rose: I dunno. They’re already teasing dissention between Brooke and Charlotte about a month into their partnership. I mean, yeah, this might be a case of bait and switch, but can you save that angle a few months down the road? I think this is all placeholder until they start the Banks stuff, but in the meantime I guess Natty and Lynch should get the win, and maybe build to a Lynch/Charlotte match at the July PPV? I dunno, wishful thinking.
Winner: Natalya and Becky Lynch
Alan O’Brien: Very difficult to call. I think the likeliest outcome is a heel victory with Charlotte nipping in to take the pinfall from Dana. Hard to see the babyfaces go over, as neither is being heated up for a Summerslam tilt at the belt.
Winner: Charlotte and Dana Brooke
James Cox: Honestly, I haven’t been following this one. They can beat Charlotte and it won’t matter because she’s in a tag match, but I think She and Dana aren’t breaking up, despite the tease on Monday.
Winner: Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Jeremy Peeples: Three weeks into the partnership, they’re teasing issues between Dana and Charlotte – so I think the faces win here when Charlotte is either distracted or has plausible deniability for an injury and Dana drops the fall.
Winners: Natalya and Becky Lynch
Peach Machine: Charlotte has won a match in the last 11 PPV’s and they pointed that out last time. I think they want that to be Charlotte’s “16 time…”.
Winner Char-dawg & Dana
Steve Khan: I’m guessing this is leading to a 3-way at the next PPV, whatever that is, so the babyface team should win.
Winner: Natalya & Becky Lynch
Kyle S. Johnson: Why they are angling to build tension between Dana and Charlotte just a month into their alliance, one can only guess. (I would blame ineptitude, first and foremost.) If the plan is to slot in Becky as a holdover challenger until Summerslam (where one can only presume Sasha will be rolled out as the top contender), it would make sense for her to get the pin here over Charlotte after Dana makes some match-ending mistake. Still,
Ryan Frederick: Unfortunately it seems like this match is to build up a split between Charlotte and Dana, and that is a wrong move to make if there ever was one. Dana doesn’t deserve the spot opposite Charlotte but it seems we are going that direction. I sense issues will be teased but they will end up getting the win.
Winners: Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Brian Hoops: Way too early to break up Charlotte and Dana Brooke and they just teased this same storyline with Styles and the Club. It would be perfect since to have the champion pinned in a tag match to build up a singles challenger. Probably why it won’t happen.
Winners: Natalya and Becky Lynch
Bryan Rose: I think New Day retains and breaks the tag team title record. They’ve been the most popular tag team in years here in the WWE so it only makes since. I don’t see Vaudevillans winning and while eventually Amore and Cass should get the titles, I don’t see it happening. They could put them on Anderson and Gallows, but I think that’s the next tag team title program for New Day anyway so it should last another month at least.
Winner: New Day
Alan O’Brien: Vaudevillains are not going over, and they’ll want to save Enzo and Cass’ big title win for a singles feud. I can easily see New Day retaining, but I think it’s more likely that The Club will succeed with their first shot at the gold.
Winner: Anderson and Gallows
James Cox: Feels like we should have a shake up here, but I still The New Day win here. A babyface win is important looking at this card.
Winner: The New Day
Jeremy Peeples: They’ve been pushing the near record-setting reign of the New Day on commentary, which is usually a bad sign. They have three teams in this that probably shouldn’t lose, and the Vaudevillains. The New Day should win just to keep things stable until the draft, but I could see The Club winning just to go them some momentum. If they make a second set of tag titles, they can just give The Club one of them – so I’ll go with New Day retaining here.
Winners: The New Day
Peach Machine: I think the New Day has long since jumped the shark. Get the belts off those clowns.
Winner: The New Day, because that’s how they book.
Steve Khan: New Day have had the titles so long, losing in a 4-way would be lame. Gallows & Anderson can certainly win to build momentum for the Club, but I see New Day getting the fall over the Vaudevillains.
Winner: The New Day
Kyle S. Johnson: A four-team match that includes an obvious fall team seems like a great opportunity to make a title switch. The New Day do not need the belts to stay over, and I can’t help but shake the feeling that Cass is going to wind up going to singles well before he and Enzo reach their shelf life as a tag team. Anderson and Gallows, on the other hand, could probably really use a dominant championship run to prove the mettle of The Club as a force to be reckoned with. I’ll go with Guns and Gallows getting the belts after stealing a pin away from one of the babyface teams.
Winner: Anderson and Gallows
Ryan Frederick: I would like to see them switch the belts and have New Day chase to freshen up the act just a little, give them something to fight for. The fact they’ve been pushing the length of the reign isn’t a good sign. The question is who to give it to if they are switching. Enzo & Cass is a great act and the titles could benefit them, but I think putting them around Anderson and Gallows would be the right move in getting them over with AJ as the top heel act. I expect a fun match.
Winners: Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
Brian Hoops: The New Day act has run its course. Lots of ways they could go here with a 4 way, but I look for Anderson & Gallows to win the belts with Vaudevillians getting pinned. Would freshen things up if Anderson and Gallows take the titles with programs with New Day and Usos, who can claim previous victories over the new champions.
Winners: Anderson & Gallows
Bryan Rose: Hmm, very interesting. Cena shouldn’t win the first bout. I mean if we’re going to have the usual Cena feud, he should at least lose the first match and win the other two. As far as the match goes, Styles is one of the best in the planet and Cena works his butt off. Should be great.
Winner: AJ Styles
Alan O’Brien: AJ’s self-inflicted banning of his buddies from ringside is a red herring. He needs a big win, and getting it on his own will make it all the more significant. Sure, Cena will win the next two, a la the Owens feud, but hey, I’ll take it.
Winner: AJ Styles
James Cox: This will be match of the night. Despite all the rhetoric about AJ Styles being a big deal in the company, he’s clearly only a big deal when it suits them, otherwise they wouldn’t have had him lose so much. Cena to win; they’re not in the habit of beating him on ppv.
Winner: John Cena
Jeremy Peeples: This has been the best-built program of the entire PPV. AJ has been cutting the best promos of his career and is seemingly getting out any bitterness he might have had over the years at the same time. Cena has been putting AJ over huge as well, and I can see AJ winning this one to set up a bigger match at Summerslam that Cena wins.
Winner: AJ Styles
Peach Machine: Gotta be Cena. Vince isn’t gonna put his top guy under while his supposed top guy is floundering at best.
Winner: Cena
Steve Khan: The Club might not be there, but Styles can still cheat to win. I can see John Cena winning because he’s John Cena, but Styles badly needs a big win.
Winner: AJ Styles
Kyle S. Johnson: AJ has lost three straight PPV matches, and with so much of the (excellent, excellent) build for this match being about him needing to get it done here, I cannot fathom an outcome that does not see him beating John Cena. Cena can get his win back down the line (probably even as soon as next month, given the way things tend to go), but AJ needs to win here to make him a credible main-event-caliber guy for one of the two shows moving forward. This should be a superb match, and I expect that AJ gets it done — whether it is cleanly, by nefarious means, or with the help of a former ally not named Doc or Karl.
Winner: AJ Styles
Ryan Frederick: Anything other than a win by Styles here is the wrong move. Cena doesn’t need it and Styles is arguably the biggest star in the company at this moment. He is also arguably the best wrestler in the world. I am looking forward to this one as Styles always shows up and Cena is great with top workers. This could be a classic if given time and the crowd should be hot.
Winner: AJ Styles
Brian Hoops: For the sake of AJ Styles career, he has to win over Cena here. He lost in the Rumble (Cena promo), got beat by Kevin Owens and lost last PPV matches to Jericho and Reigns twice. Another loss here makes him just like everyone else in the WWE. A loss for Cena wont hurt him and they can build the feud to culminate later this summer.
Winner: AJ Styles
Bryan Rose: This could go to anyone. If I had to pick who would benefit more with the briefcase, probably Owens as he’s the guy with the most potential as a future WWE champion. Ambrose is also another possibility, anyone else I just don’t see it happening (Cesaro, Zayn) or sounds lame (Jericho, del Rio). Should be a great match regardless of who wins.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Alan O’Brien: Owens is the guy. The briefcase is a heel gimmick, and who better to attach it to than the best on the roster.
Winner: Kevin Owens
James Cox: Everything says it ought to be Owens, but it really is a match anyone could win. I’m sticking my neck out, but ultimately it should go to heel and I think we might be about to see them re-launch Alberto Del Rio. Orton could return, take a seventh spot and win, but I don’t know if he’s ready.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Jeremy Peeples: Owens has been dropping a lot of falls, but would make a fantastic challenger for Roman Reigns – so I’ll go with him winning here.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Peach Machine: Owens. No doubt.
Winner: Vin Owens
Steve Khan: They could throw us a curveball like they have in ths most, but this match is far too important. It comes down to Ambrose and Owens, and given the way they’ve booked the past few weeks, Owens looks like the leading candidate. I’ll play it safe and go with Owens, who’s perfect for this gimmick.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Kyle S. Johnson: This is Owens’ match to win. Cesaro, Sami, or Dean would be reasonable dark horse picks, and putting the briefcase with Del Rio or Jericho would be a mistake. Owens will win and, one can only hope, be treated as one of the company’s top heels thereafter.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Ryan Frederick: Kevin Owens is ready to be the top heel in the company, and he should get the briefcase. I can only really see Jericho as the only other option as they’ve pushed him as the creator of the match but him having never won it. Owens has been losing too much lately and logic says that means he’s winning.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Brian Hoops: Owens is the one that benefits the most from winning the briefcase and eventually cashing it in to win the world title. No one else makes sense, which makes the Owens pick shaky.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Bryan Rose: Reigns isn’t losing the title anytime soon, and I already feel a rematch is set for Battleground regardless of who wins. I think it’ll be a great match as Regions has improved tremendously, and Rollins should be aching to have a killer match. Fun stuff ahead!
Winner: Roman Reigns
Alan O’Brien: What a disaster this has been. It’s unlikely that they will switch the title at this juncture, with Roman likely to be the figurehead of RAW. Rollins could win by DQ, but I imagine Reigns will pin him after some kind of schmoz finish.
Winner: Roman Reigns
James Cox: I can’t see them about to play hot potato with the title this close to the brand split. The story ought to be Seth taking back what he never lost, but they chose Roman Reigns and they’re sticking with him.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Jeremy Peeples: This feud has been built up very strangely. In theory, Seth should be coming in as a really hot act. Instead, he had one great night and has been pretty cold since then. They’ve teased Dean winning in cashing in – so he’s probably doomed. Seth has no momentum and shouldn’t be winning with this character as it is now.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Peach Machine: Some schmoz. Disputed finish. Reigns retains.
Winner: Reigns
Steve Khan: I’m not sure what to expect. Reigns won’t lose the title yet, and Rollins can’t lose clean in his return. I also don’t see a cash-in, and they’ve built this too big for a screwy finish. So, I’ll go with Reigns barely squeaking out a win.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Kyle S. Johnson: This angle has been outclassed by the build for AJ and Cena at every turn, and while the match itself is probably going to be great, it feels very much like an afterthought on this show. I imagine that this is going to have some kind of inconclusive finish since I cannot see either guy taking a pinfall at this stage — perhaps even something as far-fetched as Lesnar showing up and wrecking both guys to stake his claim as the true champion. Either way, the title won’t change hands, and this feud will continue in some form or fashion.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Ryan Frederick: This feels like the first match of a program, and probably one with Dean Ambrose getting involved, possibly leading to the long-anticipated Shield three-way at Summerslam. That means a likely BS finish. I think Rollins gets the win but Reigns retains due to a DQ. The crowd reactions for this will be fun.
Winner: Seth Rollins but Roman Reigns retains the championship
Brian Hoops: Another feud they have totally botched. Rollins should be the returning babyface to challenge and reclaim the title he never lost. It was a perfect storyline they have completely pissed down their leg. Now, they have their hottest potential babyface turned back heel and no one wants to boo him and their champion babyface, no one cares about and wants to cheer. Beating Rollins clean would make any remaining fans disgruntled so that makes no sense. Taking the title off Reigns and putting it on the heel also makes no sense after shoving Reigns down everyone’s throats.
Winner: Rollins by DQ
Live coverage from Dave Meltzer begins later tonight with the pre-show!
Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa return with a potential sleeper pick for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, Money in the Bank thoughts and more~!
– This week, we start with a few thoughts on the late Gypsy Joe and then some thoughts on the WWE Cruiserweight Series (6:04)
– Vic will give his thoughts on someone in the tournament he’d like to see go far, and why…and it may not be someone you suspect
– Les will share a story about what a young wrestler was told by an unnamed executive (16:07) and why Les was a bit troubled by the story.
– From there, some thoughts on the big matches at WWE Money in the Bank (25:17): Cena/Styles, Seth/Roman, the 4 way for the tag titles and the MITB match itself
– We’ll close with a question about Les running the Georgia Championship Wrestling tours in the early 80’s (49:45) when they came to Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
The Octagon heads back to Canada this weekend, visiting the capital city of Canada for the first time for UFC Fight Night 89 in Ottawa, Ontario. The event is headlined by a pivotal bout in the welterweight division as Rory MacDonald and Stephen Thompson will do battle for five rounds. Below are our studs, value plays and fighters to avoid when setting your fantasy line-ups for Saturday’s event.
Steve Bosse ($10,700)
Steve Bosse is going to be one of our top plays for this Saturday’s card. He is a knockout artist, and his opponent, Sean O’Connell, has lost three of his five fights inside the Octagon, with two of those losses coming by knockout. O’Connell himself is a finisher, with nine knockout wins in his career, so this will likely be a battle of big swingers. I don’t expect it to go the distance as Bosse has only been out of the first round just three times in his professional career. Both of his losses have come by knockout, though, and it may make him a little bit of a risk.
With that said, some may look to avoid him just due to his large salary, but I don’t expect him to have much trouble with O’Connell. I’m confident in making Bosse our top play for this weekend, and a knockout win is what I expect to see on Saturday night.
Colby Covington ($10,400)
Colby Covington is coming off of his first career loss in his last fight when he was submitted quickly by Warlley Alves. Alves, despite losing his last fight himself, has shown to be a high-level fighter, and Covington isn’t quite ready for that level. He goes back down a notch on Saturday, fighting Jonathan Meunier, who is a late injury replacement for Alex Garcia. That should give Covington an edge as Meunier didn’t come onto the card until June 9, and he fought just a few weeks ago.
Covington is a good wrestler and very powerful at 170 pounds, and he has five submission wins in his career. I’m actually surprised his salary isn’t higher given the circumstances of this fight coming together, but that likely has to do with Meunier being 7-0 with seven finishes, including six in the first round. That may lead people to think Meunier is a good value pick, but I still like Covington to score a finish.
Leandro Silva ($9,500)
In searching this card for some value, I’m finding it hard to find a lot of underdogs that are primed for upset victories as I expect a lot of the favorites, and higher-salaried fighters, to score the wins. I’m going with Leandro Silva as an underdog to score a win, but his salary is a little higher than most of our value plays. Silva is unbeaten in his last four fights and he is showing more confidence each time he steps inside the Octagon.
He is a quality lower-level lightweight in the UFC, and that is a good position to be in to build up yourself as a fighter. He is taking on Jason Saggo, who is 2-1 in the UFC, but is coming off an impressive win in March. Silva has fought tougher competition in the UFC, and he is a good submission artist, with ten of his 19 career wins coming by submission. I like Silva to score the win, whether by submission or decision, making him a good value pick.
Ion Cutelaba ($8,500)
This is a tough one as Ion Cutelaba is making his UFC debut against a very tough light heavyweight in Misha Cirkunov. Cirkunov is 2-0 with the UFC with both wins by finish, and it is a little surprising that he is getting another fighter making his UFC debut in Cutelaba. Cutelaba is coming into the UFC with an 11-1 career record, with all eleven wins coming by stoppage- nine knockouts and two submissions. Even more impressive is the fact that ten of those eleven wins have come in the first round.
His one loss was controversial as he was disqualified for punches to the back of the head in a fight he was dominating likely heading to finish. He is a tough opponent, and Cirkunov may be in a lot of trouble. Cutelaba has a very low salary, and Cirkunov has the second-highest salary on the card, so there is a lot of value in Cutelaba, and I think he is worth the risk.
Ali Bagautinov ($10,800)
Ali Bagautinov’s salary is just too high for me to recommend having him on your roster for this card as there are several better options with lower salaries. I’m actually surprised that his salary is so high as he has lost two straight fights and didn’t look the same in his last bout after being out of action for over a year due to a drug suspension. His opponent, Geane Herrera, is making his third appearance inside the Octagon, with a 1-1 record so far.
He is coming off an impressive knockout win over Joby Sanchez in his last fight, and his debut fight was a decision loss to Ray Borg in a fight he had a lot of chances in. Herrera is a very good opponent for Bagautinov, and has the chance for an upset, which makes Bagautinov’s high salary even more puzzling. Avoid Bagautinov in this fight.
Joe Soto ($9,400)
Joe Soto is 0-3 in the UFC, so he finds himself in a must-win situation when he steps inside the Octagon on Saturday. Most fighters would be cut with that UFC record, but he gets more chances due to saving an event by stepping up at the last minute to fight T.J. Dillashaw for a championship in his UFC debut, but he still needs a win. Soto had a close loss in his last fight, and many thought he won that fight. He will be taking on Chris Beal on Saturday, another fighter in a must-win situation as Beal has lost his last two fights.
I expect both men to play it safe and not fight with a lot of reckless action, and it could make for a boring fight. I do think Soto is going to score the win, but not rack up a lot of points in the process. I would recommend avoiding Soto on Saturday.
RYAN FREDERICK- Steve Bosse ($10,700), Tamdan McCrory ($10,600), Colby Covington ($10,400), Stephen Thompson ($9,800), Ion Cutelaba ($8,500)
I feel pretty good about this line-up, though I think the same thing for every event and it doesn’t always work out. I like Steve Bosse to get a quick knockout win and score maximum points. Colby Covington is another I like to get a quick finish as he has a short-notice replacement opponent. I like Tamdan McCrory as he has looked impressive since returning to action and is coming off a very good submission win over Josh Samman, though he has a tough foe in Krzysztof Jotko on Saturday.
Ion Cutelaba is my hail mary play as he has a very low salary and has a very good chance at getting an upset win in his UFC debut. And I will be taking Stephen Thompson. I do think he will beat Rory MacDonald, but I also think it will be by decision. Going that extra two rounds opens up for more points scoring opportunites. I also think he may be a sneaky shot at getting a finish.
PAUL FONTAINE- Olivier Aubin-Mercier ($11,000), Steve Bosse ($10,700), Valerie Letourneau ($10,100), Patrick Cote ($9,200), Ion Cutelaba ($8,500)
Aubin-Mercier is a stud and a finisher. Fighting in his home country and close to his home town, I’m really liking him to have a star-making performance here. Bosse’s fight should be fun and he’s got the power to finish anyone in the division and his opponent O’Connell has been stopped in 2 of his 3 most recent losses. Letourneau is coming off a strong performance against Joanna Champion, lasting 5 rounds with the strawweight queen. She should have more power at flyweight and her opponent Calderwood has proven to be vulnerable to submissions as well.
Cote has been on the best run of his career and I think he’s got a huge size advantage over Cerrone, who usually competes at lightweight. Cote was not small at middleweight and he should have the power to stop Cerrone. My last pick is a bit of a gamble but Ion Cutelaba has scored stoppages in each of his 9 pro wins so I’m hoping for the same in his UFC debut.
PEACH MACHINE- Randa Markos ($10,500), Donald Cerrone ($10,200), Valerie Letourneau ($10,100), Stephen Thompson ($9,800), Sam Alvey ($9,100)
Another stellar lineup if I may say so my self, and I may… I like Thompson a lot here. McDonald in his first fight back after that terrible nose break may be a little gun shy. I’m betting Thompson capitalizes. Cerrone, in my book, way outclasses Cote. This is another easy pick. I like Randa Markos and Lybarger didn’t look good her last time out. Smilin Sam is my under dog pick. He’s always in it and has KO pop. Finally, I think Letourneau easily wins here. And her names is the same as that teacher in Florida who married her student… first.
The bidding period is expected to end this week, on or around 6/16, regarding a sale that is expected to be in the $4 billion price range for 100 percent ownership of the UFC.
Three entertaining top-of-the-hour promo exchanges just about managed to save Monday night’s Money in the Bank go-home edition of RAW from being a total dud. Here, as always, are the show’s highlights and lowlights:
Cena and Styles sign on the dotted line
Although I could have done without John Cena’s laboured Bullet Club references, the promo exchange between he and AJ Styles at the top of the third hour was very impressive. Cena delivered the goods as usual, namedropping PWG and ROH in an effective monologue, designed to get Styles over.
Styles’ bitter rejoindre, delivered forcefully with convincing fire, was even more impactful as it further banished the notion that the former IWGP champion can’t hang with the best on the stick. Cena goading AJ into banning The Club from ringside was another big positive as it tied into the insecurity of AJ’s character, and ensured that we should get a wonderful, shenanigan-free, match between the two this Sunday.
The Ambrose Asylum
I certainly never anticipated that this segment would ever appear in the Hits column, and yet here we are. Ambrose’s jarring wackiness aside, this was another example of two talents delivering on the microphone when it mattered.
Admittedly, the primary goal of the segment, and the first-hour ‘Shield Revisited’ clips, failed. Despite the constant reminders of Rollins’ responsibility for the breakup of that popular faction, the crowd still cheered Seth and booed Roman Reigns throughout the Ambrose Asylum.
Having said that, we must still credit both performers’ delivery. Rollins’ superiority complex-driven promo was excellent, as was Roman’s confident reply. And, although the Dirty Deeds from Ambrose to Reigns to close the segment was a bit off-kilter, I thought the Money in the Bank tease worked well too, building some much-needed anticipation for that match.
The New Day meets The New Era
This segment really belongs in both halves of the column, as the solo contributions from the New Day, The Club and the Vaudevillains all fell flat.
It was only when Enzo and Cass arrived in the ring to confront the New Day that this tag team championship build clicked in a big way. The Jersey boys taunting Xavier Woods about a promiscuous “Frannie”, culminating in the Woods line “I’m the only one who blows my girl!”, was fantastic. As was Cass comparing Kofi Kingston’s shoes to those of Jerry Seinfeld, the only one of many footwear-based insults that even raised a smile from this columnist.
Life Lessons
Look, the Darren Young and Bob Backlund vignettes have been awful from day one, but who among us did not laugh at Bob’s “This is my only pair of clothes!” line? Great delivery.
The 50/50 booking-laced MITB ladder match build
Thank God that the Money in the Bank ladder match is this Sunday, lest we have to sit through another weekly five-hour serving of pointless matches involving the six participants.
Backstage bickering segments with Sami Zayn/Cesaro and Kevin Owens/Alberto del Rio at least showed that the company is aware of the problem. But it was still impossible to care about either of the two matches involving the four — Zayn’s spectacular Code Red victory aside.
The stipulation that Owens and Del Rio were putting their spots in Sunday’s match on the line against the Lucha Dragons certainly didn’t help as it was completely unbelievable. Plus, Kalisto and Sin Cara looked like even bigger geeks for losing to two guys who couldn’t get along at all.
Speaking of geeks, the 50/50 booking that has permeated throughout all in-ring interactions between the six is pretty much the professional wrestling equivalent of socialism. (Some level of inequality is necessary to get people over, you know!) Nowhere was that more obvious than in the main event, where Ambrose avenged his pointless loss to Jericho on last week’s Smackdown. Meanwhile, Owens saved the segment with his sarky commentary, while Zayn, Del Rio and Cesaro all looked like jabronis. Terrible.
Paint-by-numbers lower card booking
The build-up to Rusev’s US Championship defence against Titus O’Neil has been incredibly basic and incredibly dull. After weeks of Titus run-ins, the Bulgarian Brute attacked O’Neil from behind on Monday before he could compete in what I was assume was supposed to be a match.
This ambush got little reaction from the live audience, and I’m sure the audience at home didn’t appreciate the immediate post-commercials replay either. All I could do was sympathise with Titus, as Jack Swagger clearly wasn’t interested in returning last week’s favour and saving his ass. Harsh.
Elsewhere, in a reprise of that Swagger segment from last week, Apollo Crews ran in to save Zack Ryder from a post-match beatdown at the hands of Sheamus. Yawn. Sure can’t wait to watch that pre-show.
Bickering McMahons
I just don’t care! Every time Stephanie and Shane are onscreen with their weird incestuous sexual tension, I just want to shut off my television. It is literally impossible to care about who runs what show; the outcome will be the same regardless. Even Corporate Kane with his arson and testicle electrocution callbacks couldn’t save the segments involving these two from getting my dander up.
The Divas Devolution
Far from the lofty heights of top-of-the-hour segments and long matches upon its glorious inception, the so-called Divas Revolution is now reduced to a tag team program that no-one cares about on one of the biggest PPVs of the year.
Attempts to build tension between Charlotte and Dana Brooke are also doomed to fail, as the latter is far from ready for a program of that magnitude. Although, given that the Women’s champion got just three minutes to lose to Paige on Monday night, that magnitude may not be so great.
Wrestling Observer Live with Mike Sempervive is back to start your week off right. We talk last night’s Slammiversary, SmackDown only pay-per-views possibly being added, the NXT CWC, and more. Plus, a conversation with “The Queen of Spades” Shayna Baszler as she continues on her path in pro wrestling!
Depending on your point of view, Hulk Hogan went one step further towards either succeeding or failing in his lawsuit against Gawker Media last Friday when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the type that allows the company to continue operating.
The Big Takeaway: Mainly tying up loose ends for the Money in the Bank PPV. While Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns had a faceoff to build their main event match, Dean Ambrose teased potentially winning the Money in the Bank briefcase and cashing it in that night to beat one of his former Shield mates. The relationship between Shane and Stephanie McMahon is growing more prickly as they bickered throughout the show. Charlotte and Dana Brooke are teasing a breakup after a whole month together. Last half of the show was driven by the six Money in the Bank participants. Really, the program was focused on trying to get Ambrose to be taken seriously again instead of a comedy figure.
Show Recap:
As trivial as it may seem at a time like this, Raw will have its go-home show for Money in the Bank tonight in New Orleans. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are expected back for the final push for their main event match at the PPV. After the curious decision to air that Rollins video last week, the question isn’t how much will he be cheered, but how much? Was last week any indication that they’re finally willing to give up the ghost on Reigns being a babyface?
This is also another show going head-to-head with the NBA Playoffs. Last time that happened was two weeks ago and it led to a wrestling-oriented program where Shane and Stephanie McMahon were limited to cameos. Last week was full of interviews, so perhaps they’ll even it up tonight.
Our coverage starts at 8 ET.
To open the show, the entire roster lined up on the ramp for a moment of silence to honor the 49 killed in the Orlando nightclub shooting. Again, Vince and Stephanie McMahon appeared but no HHH, who was in England over the weekend at the Download Festival hosting an NXT show. He also was the first recipient of the “Spirit of Lemmy Award” in honor of Lemmy Kilmister.
The New Day came out and discussed their title defense in a Fatal Fourway. Xavier Woods noticed that Kofi Kingston was wearing Stephen Curry’s Under Armour’s ridiculed shoes. Kingston joked Kingston was wearing the “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up 12s.”
Enzo and Big Cass showed up. When Enzo Amore asked “How you doin’?,” New Day muttered they were doing fine. Cass said they were going all-in in Vegas and walking out with the WWE Tag Team titles. Cass asked Kingston if he was serious with those “Jerry Seinfeld joints” he had going. Cass talked about Francesca 2, the trombone, and asked where was Woods’ girl last night? Cass said Francesca 2 was with Enzo last night, and he had his lips all over her. Enzo said he had Franny on Bourbon Street, where he played her like Louie Armstrong. He said “Enzo Satchmo had her going all night long.” Basically, Amore was dropping lots of double entendres straight from 1980s Ric Flair promos, except this was about a musical instrument. Woods said “I’m the only one who blows my girl.”
Enzo and Woods teased a verbal showdown before the Vaudevillains interrupted them. Aiden English sang like the leader of a barbershop quartet about how they were going to be the new champions. Then Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows finally came out to say they were going to be the new champions. Gallows said it would be easier than scoring a touchdown on the New Orleans Saints. This built up an eight-man tag for the night’s opening match.
Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and the Vaudevillains defeated The New Day and Enzo & Cass (13:27)
Gallows pinned Kingston after a Magic Killer. Kingston tried an O’Connor Roll on Karl Anderson, but Gallows had just made a blind tag. Action spilled out to the floor at the finish, where Big E gave English a belly-to-booty suplex. The highlight was Kingston doing a spectacular flip tope over the post onto English and Simon Gotch that the crowd loved. First spot was English trying to flip Kingston, who landed on his feet and he pointed to the Curry shoes for a pop. Pretty good match, but this crowd was dead most of the way and we still have 2.5 hours to go.
Tonight’s series of flashback clips feature the rise of the Shield. They opened with the Shield’s debut at Survivor Series 2012, which they also aired last week during the Seth Rollins profile.
Life Lessons with Bob Backlund featured Backlund asking how Young was going to celebrate many of his upcoming wins. Young said he was going to bring back the Millions of Dollars dance. Backlund said his next lesson would be about saving money. Young asked Backland how he saved money. Backlund said this was his only pair of clothes. Young asked if that was his only pair of underwear? Backlund screamed “You gotta want it!”
Shane McMahon walked in with Stephanie talking on the phone. Tensions are rising again. They argued over who would get Raw and who would get SmackDown. Stephanie wanted both. Shane said she and HHH ran both into the ground. Corporate Kane showed up and offered his services, and handed him his resume and a letter of recommendation from the Undertaker. Stephanie left Shane alone to talk to Kane, who dropped as many references to fire as possible to let us all know he’s also the Demon Kane.
Zack Ryder talked to some unknown backstage visitors about Apollo Crews hitting Sheamus from behind on Smackdown when Sheamus walked up. Sheamus said he would give Crews a Sheamus kick and make him a joke. Ryder blurted out “Hey Apollo!” Sheamus turned his head in concern, but Crews wasn’t there. When he turned around, Ryder was gone. Sheamus vowed to kick Ryder’s head off tonight while the visitors chuckled at him.
The next Shield flashback was their face turn against HHH, Randy Orton and Bautista from 2014.
The Shining Stars did a vignette saying they take care of the beaches of Puerto Rico and don’t litter, unlike the trash infected beaches of America.
Titus O’Neal made his ring entrance for a match when Rusev jumped him from behind. As Lana watched on from the background, Rusev put him in the Accolade several times before a group of referees ordered him off. Rusev screamed over a fallen O’Neal that he was the champion.
Next Shield highlight was Rollins turn on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. This was to set up the Ambrose Asylum with Reigns and Rollins, and really to reestablish Rollins as the heel again in the program.
They showed a tweet from HHH congratulating the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be sent a gorgeous WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt with the Penguins logo on it.
Ambrose came out and said the Ambrose Asylum was back by popular demand. He put over the entire Money in the Bank card then brought out Rollins and Reigns. Rollins got roundly cheered despite Ambrose calling him the “scum of the Earth.” Reigns got mostly booed, and Ambrose had to clap into the microphone for him to drown out the jeers.
Ambrose was smiling and clapping as Reigns and Rollins stared at each other. Ambrose asked Rollins how his knee was doing? Rollins curtly said if Ambrose had seen his documentary on the WWE Network? He said his knee was fine. Ambrose asked how was Rollins’ face? Rollins didn’t know what he was talking about. Ambrose said Rollins’ face was killing him.
Reigns spoke up briefly but was drowned out by booing. He said it was fun on Bourbon Street last night. Rollins looked wary of Ambrose and Reigns, and Ambrose called him a party pooper. Rollins brought up past memories of beating Team Hell No and the New Age Outlaws. Rollins smiled and brought up seeing Ambrose passed out beside a dumpster one night in Salt Lake City.
Rollins said the best times inside the ring came with the Shield. He even brought up beating Bautista, and Dave hasn’t been seen since. Then Rollins said his best ever moment in the ring was when he took a chair and hit Ambrose and Reigns to end the Shield. That was supposed to get him booed. It didn’t.
Ambrose asked Reigns what we can expect on Sunday. Reigns said the big dog would walk in as champ and the big dog would walk out as champ. Rollins said he was never defeated as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Ambrose tried to keep the two from fighting. Reigns said if Rollins was the champion, why does he have the belt? Actually, he said “this.”
Rollins said Reigns has the championship because he beat Ambrose. He beat Sheamus and he beat HHH. But Reigns has never beaten Rollins. Rollins said Reigns would have never won the championship without him. On the other hand, Rollins said everything he’s accomplished, he’s done on his own. And he will win the championship on his own. Ambrose brought up J&J Security, the Authority, Kane, etc.
Reigns said Rollins was right. Rollins broke up the Shield on his own. But the Shield had Rollins’ back, the only ones who did. And for what reason? So he could hog the spotlight. After Sunday, fans would call Reigns “the guy” not because he’s the champ, but because he beat Rollins. Ambrose wrapped up the segment by saying he could win the Money in the Bank contract on Sunday, and whether it’s Reigns or Rollins, he could cash in on Sunday to walk out as champion.
As Ambrose’s music played, Rollins pushed Ambrose into Reigns. Rollins punched Ambrose. Reigns gave Rollins a Superman Punch. Then Ambrose gave Reigns a kick to the stomach and Dirty Deeds and ended the segment looking up at the Money in the Bank briefcase. Good segment with the best mic work from Reigns since he became champion.
John Cena was shown talking to Shane backstage. Cena will have a contract signing with A.J. Styles later tonight.
Stephanie met Ambrose in the back. She mentioned that Shane was the one who brought back the Ambrose Asylum. Stephanie said that Ambrose would face Chris Jericho later tonight. It led to Ambrose saying that Stephanie had a lot of hatred and bile flowing through her veigns. Stephanie said having hatred within you can be a good thing if you know how to use it.
Paige defeated Charlotte (C) in a nontitle match (2:28)
Charlotte went for the Figure Eight, but Paige kicked her out of the ring. Dana Brooke threw Charlotte right back in the ring, where Paige gave her the Rampage for the pin. They’re already teasing a Brooke-Charlotte breakup. Natalya and Becky Lynch were at ringside on commentary. This leads to Charlotte & Brooke vs. Natalya & Lynch on Sunday. Charlotte took the face first Flair flop, which the crowd enjoyed.
Cesaro did an interview with Renee Young. Sami Zayn walked in, which made Cesaro mad. Cesaro said he was acting like a child. Zayn said, as far as he was concerned, they were equals. Cesaro said he’s been in the WWE for four years, while Zayn has been in the WWE for four months. He said Zayn still has a lot to prove and he should start tonight.
Backstage, Charlotte chewed out Brooke for costing her the match. Charlotte said she gave Brooke a chance to be part of her legacy, but if she makes the same mistake again on Sunday, there will be no room for her in the history book she’s writing.
Sheamus defeated Zack Ryder (1:54)
Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick. He put punches and boots to Ryder until Crews ran out. Crews scored a double-leg takedown, knocked him out of the ring with a forearm and Sheamus ran out through the crowd.
Another series of flashbacks, this one featurin famous monents from Money in the Bank. The opener was from 2010 Kane winning the briefcase, then cashing it in to defeat Rey Mysterio 50 minutes later. He’s still the only man to win the briefcase and the world championship on the same night.
O’Neal was shown in an Ad Council PSA paying Go Fish with his kids.
Kane talked with Shane backstage when Kevin Owens showed up. Owens wanted to see Stephanie, but when he heard she wasn’t around, he said that Alberto Del Rio only showed up to the building 20 minutes ago. Owens felt Del Rio should be taken out of the Money in the Bank match. Del Rio then walked in and said someone called airport security on him, which caused him to be held up for five hours. Del Rio blamed Owens. The two started jawing at each other with Del Rio speaking Spanish and Owens speaking French. Finally, Kane spoke up and ordered them to team together tonight against the Lucha Dragons. If the Lucha Dragons won, they would get Owens and Del Rio’s spot in the Money in the Bank match. Owens didn’t like the idea, but Shane did and it was done.
Sami Zayn defeated Cesaro (8:11)
Very good match where Zayn won with the Code Red. Fans got into it after Cesaro did his suplex from the apron into the ring. Had the most crowd heat of the night. Cesaro knocked Zayn to the floor early, blocking a springboard move with an uppercut. Zayn had a look on his face after he scored the finisher that put over the importance of finally getting a win on Raw.
There was a new feature called WWE Technology, which showed off the company’s video production truck. They also put over using green power to energize the trucks.
Cena came out for the contract signing with Styles. Cena said Money in the Bank might as well be WrestleMania, which wasn’t the first time someone has made that comparison tonight. Cena said for 15 years, people have wondered what would happen if he faces Styles. He said he loved the WWE, but year after year, the decision makers in the company said Styles didn’t belong. But through Ring of Honor, PWG and New Japan (using those names on the air), Styles has proven he belongs. Cena said he’s won 15 world championships, but Styles has won more over a 15-year span. Now, Styles has been given a chance thanks to Shane McMahon and that this would be a history making match.
Cena said the contract signing would be a little different tonight and told Michael Cole to leave. There was a table set up with a chair in the ring. Styles came out and there were the usual dueling chants. Styles said he turned Cena’s world around two weeks ago. At Money in the Bank, he would do it again. Styles said he would be the one saying “You can’t see me” because Cena couldn’t beat him.
Cena explained that there were two contracts on the table. One would guarantee a singles match between Cena and Styles with the Club barred from ringside. The other contract would have Cena vs. Styles with the Club allowed at ringside. If Styles signed the one that included the Club, it would prove how much of a bitch Styles truly is. But if he signed the one-on-one match with the Club barred from ringside. they would finally have an answer to the question of what if Styles faced Cena.
Styles brought up what would happen if Styles had been in the WWE 15 years ago? Then Cena wouldn’t have been a 15-time world champion, wouldn’t have won the Royal Rumble twice, wouldn’t be in movies and wouldn’t be on the cover of magazines. Cena screamed enough. He said he had heard the same routine from dozens of independent geeks for years and that Styles’ Club wasn’t full of bullets, it was full of bull. Cena said it was time for Styles to man up and try to prove him wrong. Cena said if Styles signed the contract with the Club, then they would need to put Styles on a fast track on Japan because he left his balls in Japan. Styles signed the contract for a one-on-one match with no Club at ringside and Cena followed.
Styles said this independent geek would beat Cena’s K-Mart shopping ass and prove it Sunday.
They aired highlights of the 2013 Money in the Bank, captured by Orton. He used it to defeat Daniel Bryan a month later.
Kevin Owens and Alberto Del Rio defeated Lucha Dragons to keep their spot in the Money in the Bank match (8:25)
Owens and Del Rio argued and nearly came to blows throughout the match. Kalisto used Salida del Sol on Del Rio, leading to the hot tag to Sin Cara. Owens was forced to use a save after Cara hit Del Rio with a Swanton, then dragged Del Rio to the corner for a tag. Kalisto attempted a tope on Del Rio, who threw Kalisto into the dasherboards. Owens pinned Cara with the Pop-Up Power Bomb. Del Rio gave Owens a Superkick afterwards and spit on him.
The Miz did another Facebook interview from the set of the Marine 5: Battleground. A stagehand gave him coffee, which Miz said was too cold.
Owens complained to Stephanie about Del Rio giving him a cheap shot. Stephanie listened to him instead of burying him. Owens said Zayn was going to be a commentary for the Ambrose-Jericho main event and asked if he could join him. Stephanie approved it. Del Rio walked up, said Owens was kissing up to Stephanie and demanded to be on commentary, as well. Stephanie said Del Rio could be guest timekeeper instead. Del Rio and Owens argued some more.
Shane and Stephanie bickered about their respective decision making. Shane said Cesaro will be the guest ring announcer for the main event. Stephanie said that Kane would be the wrong choice to run SmackDown. Kane walked in and Shane broke the news to him that he would not be running SmackDown. Kane asked if Shane’s decision was based on the whole “Jumper cables to the testicles” thing. Shane said it didn’t. Finally, Shane said Stephanie could run Raw, but he was going to run SmackDown this Thursday.
During Jericho’s ring entrance, Cesaro said he originally was from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, but currently lives in Stupid, Idiotville. He went on to say that Ambrose looked like he had just rolled out of bed.
Dean Ambrose defeated Chris Jericho (11:53)
Jericho got the Walls of Jericho but Ambrose made the ropes. After the elbow clothesline, Ambrose blocked the Codebreaker and won with Dirty Deeds. Owens largely stole the show on commentary putting down Byron Saxton. Del Rio held the bell hammer meancingly throughout the match, but never used it.
Owens ran in and jumped Ambrose afterwards. Zayn jumped on Owens, but Del Rio gave Zayn the back stabber. Cesaro ran in and gave Del Rio a springboard uppercut. Del Rio and Cesaro brawled around ringside. Meanwhile, Owens pulled out a ladder, but Ambrose gave him a baseball slide. As the four men fought, Zayn gave them a somersault plancha. As the only man not involved in the brawl, Jericho set up the ladder in the ring and climbed to get the Money in the Bank briefcase. He unhooked it and posed on top of the ladder cross-legged.