This Sunday is the always entertaining Money in the Bank PPV, and it's looking like a pretty stacked lineup, at least toward the top of the card. I've talked at length about being burned out on multi-man Ladder Matches (and the MITB concept in general) but at least this year WWE has assembled a host of good-to-excellent workers, and limited the match to the original format of six participants.
Elsewhere on the card we have a huge WWE Title match and (in my mind) an even bigger first-time dream match. Should be a fun show and apparently it's the last PPV before the impending roster split (I have mixed-at-best feelings about this but I'll save judgment until we know more info).
Pre-Show Match: Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler
Jeezus H. Christ, why is this feud still going on? This will be the third PPV Pre-Show match for these two in a row, and it's also the second time in 2016 a match has been stuck on the Pre-Show for three consecutive PPVs (the other being Kalisto vs. Ryback). Oddly enough no one has cared about either feud. Funny how being relegated to the Pre-Show doesn't get guys over. Anyway, both of these dudes need something else to do. I don't care about this feud at all.
Justin's pick: Corbin euthanizes this feud once and for all
Dan's pick: I DON'T CARE. I guess the not over at all and charisma-less Corbin wins here. POINTLESS
Pre-Show Match: Sheamus vs. Apollo Crews
Yes, once again there are multiple Pre-Show bouts. Gettin' pretty tired of that shit. This is the second to feature an NXT call-up vs. a go-nowhere main roster star whose potential has been squandered. Unlike Ziggler vs. Corbin though, at least this matchup is intriguing. Should be a solid effort.
Justin's pick: I could see this going either way. Conventional wisdom says the heel should win the first match of the feud, but Crews hasn't exactly been on fire and could use the win himself. Eh, I'll go with Crews.
Dan's pick: Crews
WWE Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way: The New Day vs. The Club vs. Enzo & Cass vs. The Vaudvillains
I like all four of these teams so this should be a fun mess. I'm glad to see Enzo is already back in action after his scary concussion last month. Other than that, not a ton going on here story-wise. The main beef is between New Day and The Club, so I imagine that's where the focus will be. Does New Day retain yet again?
Justin's pick: It seems premature for any of the challengers to win the belts, but I dunno if the smart money is on the Champs retaining again. Of the three challenging teams, The Club is the most ready by far. So I'll pick them.
Dan's pick: If you're gonna have the New Day lose, it has to be to the Club, the only ones achieving any sort of heat here. But I'll go with the New Day retaining.
Charlotte & Dana Brooke vs. Natalya & Becky Lynch
This has to be the least exciting Women's division match in several months, with no Title on the line and two old Charlotte feuds being featured. I have no idea why Sasha Banks has been almost completely missing from WWE TV if the idea is for her to challenge Charlotte at SummerSlam. Wouldn't it make sense for Sasha to win a bunch of RAW and SD matches leading up to it? Maybe plant the seeds now for that match so we're emotionally invested by the time it arrives?
Justin's pick: I guess the babyfaces win to set up another Charlotte-Becky match for July.
Dan's pick: I hope Dana wins, cuz boobies.
US Title Match: Rusev vs. Titus O'Neil
Hold up, who exactly did Titus beat to get a US Title match? This is what you call a throwaway Title defense. Careful Rusev, he might try to hug you. SUSPENDED.
Justin's pick: Rusev wins in a squash
Dan's pick: Another pointless match. Rusev.
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
This is the one I'm looking forward to. A dream match ten or so years in the making. AJ's been on fire the past few months and Cena delivers bigger than just about anyone in big match situations. No reason this shouldn't steal the show and be an easy MOTY contender. Just give 'em 20-25 minutes and let the rest take care of itself.
Justin's pick: AJ wins to set up a rematch
Dan's pick: Does Cena lose his first match back? My guess is no.
Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose
I mentioned it earlier, but I really like this lineup. Not an ounce of fat, and limiting the match to six guys will keep it from spiraling out of control. The main storyline is Owens vs. Zayn but Ambrose and Cesaro are both potential winners as well. I can't imagine Jericho or Del Rio walking out with it, so the smart money certainly isn't on them.
Justin's pick: I'm usually wrong about MITB winners but I'm going with Owens. He's ready to become a full-fledged main event guy.
Dan's pick: I'm also going with Owens because...
WWE World Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins
We've entered Bizarro World. The guy we're supposed to root for, no one likes. The guy everyone respects like crazy, who never lost the WWE Title last fall, WWE wants us to boo. Makes no sense at all. But the match should be great. I'm so glad to see Seth back in action, as he was the company MVP last year and as far as I'm concerned is the REAL face of the company. The obvious move here should be a double-turn. Give the fans the hero and villain they want. For fuck's sake. But I'm sure it won't happen.
Justin's pick: Reigns retains, much to the chagrin of everyone in the audience. Seth will put up a good enough showing to get a rematch though.
Dan's pick: ...I think Reigns wins here and HOPEFULLY Owens cashes in. Owens is getting actual heel heat. Will even he get booed against Roman? I doubt it, but I think (I hope) Vince might like to see real boos for a real bad guy.
There's our take. Should be a fine show with three potential ****+ matches. Not much more that can be asked for in today's WWE. Enjoy the show, and comment with your thoughts!
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