Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another edition of the Wrestling Spectator's WWE pay-per-view predictions! I apologize for the long hiatus, but the Wrestling Spectator is back, and in action! We have a couple of articles to be posted in the next couple of days, but let's get started with tonight's Money In the Bank Pay Per View!
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
SETH ROLLINS/ROMAN REIGNS V. THE USOS
As Triple H is taking more and more control of the WWE as one of the big wigs, we have seen an attempt to slowly revive the tag team division. No more is the way of Kane/Daniel Bryan at the Tag Team Championship helm; the WWE has taken shape a number of new tag teams; Rhodes Scholars, Prime Time Players, Tons of Funk, 3MB, Colter's Militia, the Usos, and a branch of the Shield. Granted, it's not the tag team era of yester-year, but it is a clean start to focus on the tag team championship. TWS appreciates the re-focusing on the tag team division, and while it is a work in progress, it is a fresh start. Hopefully Triple H can take a few more teams from NXT and mold them into future tag team superstars.
The Usos have been a major focus in the tag team division, and creative has pushed for the Usos to look like a credible tag team in contention to the Shield. The Shield no longer has a commendable winning streak, having lost to Team Hell No/Randy Orton, and to Christian/The Usos. Rollins and Reigns, without the aide of Ambrose, as a tag team have not been pinned in their reign as champions, and the Usos have not individually pinned either of the tag champs. TWS cannot see the Usos taking the titles away from Rollins and Reigns. At least, not this time without help of some kind. The Shield has maintained an image of tenacity; the Usos are barely making an image with defeating the likes of 3MB and Tons of Funk. TWS believes that if the Usos are to be taken seriously, they should take out other credible tag teams to become legitimate champions.
TWS Prediction: The Shield Retains
CHRIS JERICHO V. RYBACK
This feud opened up with Chris Jericho doing what he does best, and that was antagonize the biggest and baddest mo'fo-er in the WWE.
Well, Ryback isn't the baddest any longer, but again, Jericho took the proverbial stick and picked a fight with the junkyard dog. "Cryback" became a new moniker under the eyes of Jericho, and he couldn't be more right on the money. Ryback hasn't won a PPV match in such a long time (going on exactly one year with his win at last year's MITB), and TWS believes that it could be his time. Why? A little foreshadowing, if you will. Creative has given Ryback something outside of SuperCena and WWE Pet Project The Shield to work with in a talent that has no issue with building stars. Over the last few months, Jericho himself lent a hand to Dolph Ziggler, CM Punk, Fandango, and others along the way, and I think that this will be the same token; Ryback needs another push, and Jericho has now been known to be such cannon fodder for the stars. Further, Jericho has an upcoming Fozzy tour, and what better way to "put Jericho on the shelf" by a brutal Ryback beat down?
Last week on RAW, Ryback was also involved with a farewell hug to former General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Vickie, a woman who can garnish a massive amount of heat, would be the perfect manager for Ryback. He won't have to speak, and the WWE Universe will hate him on the sheer fact that he has aligned himself with Guerrero. On top of having her as a heat-seeking manager, Ryback has developed feigning injury to the referees, a cowardly heel move. Genius.
Vickie will be a factor in MITB for Ryback, for sure, and even if she isn't around, TWS predicts the win will be handed to the Skip... er Ryback.
TWS Prediction: Ryback
DIVA'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
AJ LEE V. KAITLYN
Two best friends turned into two greatest enemies.
The element of a good feud is here. Both superstars were best friends at one point in time, and now ruthless enemies. One knows the strengths and weaknesses of the other, and the other knows what buttons to press and hurt. AJ has played an emotional game with Kaitlyn, and that's how a Diva does it. Women can be cunning, conniving, and flat out evil when they want to be, and AJ plays that part very well. She isn't an Amazon woman; she has Langston as her muscle. But she is playing the female cerebral assassin. And it is getting to the point where the entire Diva's division is getting involved in AJ's devastation. As much as the division has crumbled, I love the build-up. And all of the Divas can be brought into this, because of the outside exposure of E! Entertainment's "Total Divas". It's a solid plug for both the WWE, the Divas, and E! Entertainment.
I just wish that all of the other Divas could act a little better and put on a convincing show. Most of the WWE girls sound scripted.
Whatever is good for the goose, is good for the gander. AJ should be kept as the little engine that could, whether or not she is face or heel. Having the strap on her, and keeping it on her is a great idea, and it would also make for the WWE Power Couple of her and Dolph. However, Ziggler is slowly (and uncontrollably) turning face, and AJ is stuck being a heel. There may be some friction between the two. But at this point in time, AJ should go over Kaitlyn and show that bigger isn't always better, especially in the Diva's division.
TWS Prediction: AJ Lee
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE MIZ V. CURTIS AXEL
It has been a compelling chase for the Intercontinental Championship for the past few months. A lot of the popular mid-card superstars have been beating each over the head with gold in their sights, and the IC title has landed on the waist of WWE's newest third generation superstar, Joe Hennig, also known as a portmanteau of his dad and grandfather, Curt Hennig and Larry "The Axe" Hennig; Curtis Axel. Aligned with the brilliant booking genius, Paul Heyman, Axel has nowhere to go but up. And Axel will be pushed to the stars, if given the right opportunities. He has recently been showing signs of weakness, being pinned by Chris Jericho and ultimately being made a fool of in recent matches, but winning at MITB will keep Axel solidly in place from here on out for quite some time.
The Miz has been on a winning streak ever since his in-ring return after a month hiatus, defeating Wade Barrett, Heath Slater, Fandango, and Cody Rhodes to name a few casulties. It would be difficult to say if The Miz has a chance to defeat the rookie Axel at MITB. With Heyman potentially losing CM Punk as his partner in crime, if Axel does indeed lose at MITB, Heyman's effectiveness to build stars will have ultimately gone away. Time will tell. TWS is torn between the sides of Axel/Miz, and with the heels predicting wins, this should be one that goes for the faces. Miz is on too much of a winning streak to have it fall flat on its face.
TWS Prediction: The Miz
WHC CONTRACT MITB MATCH
BARRETT V. RHODES V. SANDOW V. AMBROSE V. FANDANGO V. SWAGGER V. CESARO
The mid-card all rolled into one. The main concept behind the Money in the Bank ladder match is to propel young up-and-comers into stardom. The concept is behind many PPV gimmicks, such as the Royal Rumble, King of the Ring, Survivor Series, and so on. Money in the Bank is no exception, and save for Jack Swagger, all other participants in this match have not seen major title opportunities. Swagger should not even been included in this match, but the WWE prefers repetition, so if Rhodes and Sandow are included, why not throw in another tag team and eliminate another match that doesn't draw. The MITB briefcase, as WWE commentary has mentioned time and time again, guarantees a title win. Statistically speaking, not one superstar has lost by pinfall or submission, but the only superstar ever to cash in and fail to take home gold was, ironically, John Cena by way of disqualification.
With the recent legal troubles that Swagger has gotten himself into, there should be zero interest in him taking the MITB briefcase. WWE gave him Colter as a mouthpiece and a WHC opportunity at Elimination Chamber, and failed by getting himself into drug troubles. TWS would be highly disappointed in seeing Swagger walk out as a briefcase holder.
Wade Barrett as the very beginning of his career as the Nexus leader showed a lot of promise, but was whittled down to no more than a mid-card faction leader of the Corre, and even more embarrassed by scraping on the mid-card bottom. WWE gave him an opportunity with the Intercontinental Championship, but he let that go as well. Barrett would be a great heavyweight champion, if he was coupled with a solid storyline to back him. However, Barrett doesn't seem likely to walk out a MITB winner.
Dean Ambrose is a favorite to walk out as the contract carrier, and it could happen with Rollins and Reigns getting involved in the chaos of the six-man ladder match. A win would make Ambrose the only man to walk in a champion and walk out a contract holder, and quite possibly be a dual-champion by the end of Sunday night.
Fandango, with his recent medical issues regarding concussions, lost his momentum going into MITB. With several losses to Jericho, TWS believes that Fandango let the A's breathe and his missed his footing from his winning debut at Wrestlemania. Baby steps, Fandango.
As a former Intercontinental Champion, Cody Rhodes may be able to do what his father and his older brother could never do, and that would be an opportunity to capture a contract for the World Heavyweight Championship with a win at MITB. As a second-generation superstar, Rhodes has a lot to live up to, and being as young as he is in his WWE career, he has surpassed many other superstars much older than him. A favorite to win... but not quite. Rhodes does have the experience, as this will be his fourth MITB ladder match, but he will have a break down from Sandow, and with multiple egos together in one ring, TWS believes it will be a tough obstacle for Rhodes to climb.
Damien Sandow has the looks, the charisma, and the pompous arrogance for his character to be a very convincing winner at MITB. Sandow is reminiscent of the debuting Hunter Hurst Helmsley, better known as Triple H, with the "blueblood" gimmick. Triple H himself had to start somewhere, and this is where Sandow seems to be at, and during the early HHH years, there was no Money in the Bank matches to propel stars quicker into the major title picture. TWS believes that winning MITB would give so much more to Sandow's character, and solify him as a serious contender in the WWE. Even though Sandow has been involved in one other MITB ladder match, Sandow is a TWS favorite.
Antonio Cesaro is the other TWS favorite to walk out MITB contract holder. New to the MITB match, Cesaro has shown to be a ruthless aggressor, and much more promising than Swagger in Colter's Militia. It is odd that Cesaro would join Colter as he was deep into his character as Swiss made, but with a MITB WHC winning opportunity, and Colter as a mouthpiece, Cesaro would, in TWS opinion, be the best candidate to have a chance to steal the WHC away.
TWS Prediction:
Wade Barrett: 30%
Cody Rhodes: 50%
Damien Sandow: 70%
Dean Ambrose: 60%
Fandango: 40%
Jack Swagger: 20%
Antonio Cesaro: 80%
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MITB MATCH
ORTON V. RVD V. CM PUNK V. BRYAN V. CHRISTIAN V. SHEAMUS
WWE has christened this the "WWE All-Star Match" for MITB. All former champions, clamoring for a spot at the top of the mountain; for the WWE Championship. The idea behind the two MITB matches is absolutely brilliant; the World Heavyweight Championship MITB match should go to mid-card talent. Wrestlers that are popular with the WWE Universe, or at least have taken a taste of the US Championship or Intercontinental Championship; and for the WWE Championship MITB should go to former major title holders. Viewers may be against seeing old faces in the WWE title picture, but granted, John Cena is one of the most routine faces the WWE Universe sees every day. "The Champ Is Here" is getting stale. Some aren't even WWE Title holders. ROb Van Dam, Christian, and Daniel Bryan have not had the WWE Championship around their waist. But TWS believes that this will change.
As it stands, the wrestling dirt sheets all have heard rumors that Daniel Bryan will start a feud with John Cena in the next couple of months. Whether Cena retains the title tonight determines the outcome of the MITB All Stars Match. Or vice-versa (as this will be contested before Cena's match with Henry). This is a high improbability, seeing as though if Cena loses, he will undoubtedly invoke his rematch clause, and the Bryan/Cena match is nixed. We would have enjoyed RVD to win his return match, but TWS has a feeling that CM Punk will have a nice new feud with another Paul Heyman guy. Orton will most likely have some time off to handle his real-life personal problems, and Christian and Sheamus will be lost in the upper mid-card shuffle.
TWS Prediction:
Randy Orton: 40%
Rob Van Dam: 60%
CM Punk: 50%
Daniel Bryan: 80%
Christian: 30%
Sheamus: 70%
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
ALBERTO DEL RIO V. DOLPH ZIGGLER
These two have had such a heated rivalry ever since Dolph lost the WHC championship to Del Rio at WWE Payback. With a double alignment turn with Del Rio becoming heel, and Ziggler turning face, Ziggler has shown a tenacious "never say die" attitude and keeps fighting for the sake of getting the WHC back around his waist. TWS considers the scenario between Ziggler and AJ Lee/Langston interesting as AJ has went off on her own tangent, as well as Ziggler, and AJ Lee has kept the heel persona. If Dolph wins the WHC, how will the chemistry work between these three? A WWE Power Couple that serves as both face/heel?
In any event, Ziggler has been a fan favorite, and looking into the WHC MITB ladder match, all participants are heels. It wouldn't be smart business per Vinnie Mac to have a heel vs. heel championship match, so TWS goes to support Ziggler in his win tonight.
TWS Prediction: Dolph Ziggler
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
JOHN CENA V. MARK HENRY
When Mark Henry made his "fake" retirement speech, and hit Cena with the World's Strongest Slam, the delivery was absolutely epic. And this is the type of storyline that creative should go with to make characters convincing. Henry came from the era where storylines meant something, and they built characters into believable indivduals that a viewer could get behind and rally upon. "Yeah! I want to see Mark Henry win!" or "Kurt Angle had trouble with his gold medals! Let's see him win in Pittsburg!" Today's product is a re-hash and is watered down from what the older fans are used to. And Cena is an unbelievable workhorse; but take the strap off of him once in a great while. I wouldn't mind seeing Mark Henry run with the WWE Championship for a few months, as I believe The World's Strongest Man can be a great champion. Get Teddy Long, Michael Hayes, Tony Atlas, even the Prime Time Players (with Teddy? Thuggin' and Buggin'!) would make a great stable to connect Mark Henry with. When was the last time the WWE had a convincing African-American stable? Including a world champion?
Alas, as McMahon said a few weeks ago, whatever is good for business... And Mark Henry hasn't been good for business. Cena will ultimately win, and will go on to feud with Daniel Bryan for the next six months or so until Bryan loses clean while cashing in. What a waste of an exiting talent.
TWS Prediction: John Cena
There you have it, TWS readers! It's been a little busy, but here at TWS, we will strive to get you the most compelling opinionated articles on a timely basis! Watch WWE's Pay Per View Money in the Bank tonight for all the results!
