The John Report: WWE Money in the Bank Preview
By John Canton
Welcome to the Money in the Bank preview. It should be an awesome PPV. I’m in a bit of a rush, so let’s get right to it. The matches are listed in the order in which I think they’ll take place, so let’s begin with the Smackdown Money in the Bank ladder match. Enjoy.
Smackdown Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Kane, Sheamus, Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater
This should be an awesome match. Each guy has a role to fill. Kane will have his power spots where he looks dominant. The guys like Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara and Evan Bourne will use their high flying skills to create memorable spots. Wade Barrett, Sheamus and Cody Rhodes have a legit shot to win. Then there’s Heath Slater who is…just…kinda…there…for some reason. Let’s focus on the three guys that can win. I’m going with Cody Rhodes because of the fact that Sheamus is a multiple time WWE Champion already and Barrett main evented a lot of shows last year. If MITB is about elevating people (usually that is the case) then Rhodes is the pick. However, we’ve seen former champions win these matches before like Kane last year or CM Punk the second time. It’s not out of the question obviously. Barrett could work too because his Corre group ended, he had his IC title run and now he’s ready to move up. To me, though, Cody has the biggest star potential. He’s very solid in the ring, he can talk very well and due to his history with Randy Orton there’s a built in feud ready for the main event should they pull the trigger on it. He has a bright future on Smackdown as a top heel. Do they pull the trigger now or do they wait on it? I think it happens now.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Big Show vs. Mark Henry
It’s Raw vs. Smackdown here. Nice brand extension huh? They used Big Show to put over Del Rio and then they transitioned into a feud with Mark Henry, where Mr. “my heart don’t run on Kool-Aid” will likely be put over here. I’m not sure if the world is yearning for a Mark Henry push, but he’s performing at a high level right now, so I’m okay with it. They’re booking him like a Hogan era larger than life kind of heel bully. It’s working. It would be foolish to not put Henry over here even if they do another match next month. Kool-Aid mania running wild.
Winner: Mark Henry
Divas Title: Kelly Kelly vs. Brie Bella
Can they please end this damn Kelly/Bella storyline? It’s more painful than Yelly Yelly’s screams as she “sells” moves in a match. Kelly will win. If I was booking I’d have Beth Phoenix come out post match, hit the Glam Slam on everybody and leave them laying because she’s pissed at her lack of opportunities. Heel turn. New champ at Summerslam. If you want to build Kelly up to be credible then you have her fight for months to get it back. Beating the Bellas isn’t going to cause people to be impressed by her. Easy story. Much better than the current pile of crap.
Winner: Kelly “Yelly Yelly” Kelly
Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Alex Riley, Evan Bourne, Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth & Jack Swagger
I’m going with Del Rio here. No secret there. I wrote about it a few times already. I think this match is designed to elevate somebody to the main event level. There’s no better choice than him. I think the sneaky option here is the Miz because obviously Vince McMahon is very high on him as a performer and I think that could mean he gets the briefcase here. I don’t think it will be somebody else. As for the quality of the match, it should be great. It will likely be the better of the two MITB matches although I think both will reach the four star level or so.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
World Heavyweight Title: Randy Orton vs. Christian
CHRISTIAN! CHRISTIAN! At last you’re…going to lose again. Sorry. I want Christian to win. I want him to have a glorious title run that he deserves, but everything is lining up against him. Smackdown’s really thin on the babyface side, heel Mark Henry is getting a big push and as you see above we’re all thinking a Smackdown heel is going to get the briefcase. That likely means Orton’s going to hold the title going forward while Christian slinks away. I hope I’m wrong. I want Christian to have a legitimate World Title run. I just don’t think it’s happening here. Maybe if they do a triple threat or four way that involves Henry & Sheamus next month it could happen, but in a one on one match? I don’t see it.
Winner: Randy Orton
WWE Title: John Cena vs. CM Punk
I already wrote about it in the Raw Deal, so I’ll paste that in and add a bit more: My opinion (and it has changed several times in the past few weeks) is that Punk will somehow beat Cena hey Colt Cabana how you doing?), McMahon will show up all angry about it, then Money in the Bank winner Alberto Del Rio will show up, attack Punk with the briefcase, get his title shot and leave Money in the Bank as the new WWE Champion. Cena doesn’t get fired because Punk leaves without holding the WWE Championship. Meanwhile, fans are in an uproar because Punk lost the title. McMahon can go on TV ripping on Punk for weeks until finally two or three months down the line (after he’s had a nice break) he returns as a triumphant babyface. That’s where I think this angle is going.
The quality of the match should be very good thanks to the hometown crowd that will be on CM Punk’s side from the opening bell to the conclusion. There’s no doubt in my mind that this will be one of the most memorable crowds in the history of WWE. I’m jealous of them, but also excited for them. We could see CM Punk involved somehow. We could see Vince McMahon. It will be a lot of fun. I have no idea what’s really going to happen and I’m truly happy about that. Surprise me WWE. Wow me. Please don’t disappoint me.
Winner: CM Punk
Will a Money in the Bank winner use their briefcase during the PPV? If so, who and when?
Yes. Del Rio cashes in on Punk to leave Money in the Bank as WWE Champion. Huge heel heat. The start of something big.
If you want an even more thorough PPV preview, I got the boys together at thejohnreport.net to go over the entire card and offer you twelve different takes on every match. Give it a look for plenty of differing opinions.
I’ll be back this Sunday night at 8pmET for live coverage of Money in the Bank exclusively here at thejohnreport.net. Obviously you can tell the TJR crew is excited for it. Are you?
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