Sunday will feature the most interesting Money in the Bank pay-per-view in history. Thus far, eight matches are set for the card with the MITB Ladder matches set to take place in the corporate offices of WWE Headquarters. As always, these are just our predictions with no insider knowledge. Let’s get started with the first match:
Money in the Bank Ladder match: Daniel Bryan vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Aleister Black vs. King Corbin vs. Otis vs. AJ Styles
Honestly, I don’t know what to expect from these ladder matches. People could be thrown off the roof, Hans Gruber could end up kidnapping one of the participants or Dredd could pop up and execute someone (in a movie sense, of course). This match will be crazy, chaotic, and filled with madness for sure.
To me, it comes down to King Corbin, AJ Styles, and Aleister Black. Bryan and Mysterio don’t need the titles in this point of their careers and Otis screams mid-card act at the moment. Based off of Smackdown where Corbin successfully climbed the ladder to grab the briefcase, that’s usually a strong tell that he won’t be winning the MITB Ladder match. However creative (or just Vince) clearly loves Corbin and I do expect him to become a world champion sometime in the future, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the “King” walks out victorious.
Black is also another favorite, but the Money in the Bank briefcase usually suits the heel best. I expect McIntyre to be in the main event scene for a good while thus Styles grabbing the briefcase makes the most sense here.
Winner: AJ Styles
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match: Shayna Baszler vs. Nia Jax vs. Asuka vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacey Evans vs. Carmella
It’s a shame that Sasha Banks isn’t in this match. With each of the horsewomen holding a belt (Becky Lynch as RAW Women’s Champion, Bayley as Smackdown Women’s Champion, and Charlotte Flair as NXT Women’s Champion) WWE missed the boat on a strong story that could’ve been told for months.
However, the match comes down to three people here: Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, and Lacey Evans. I don’t see Jax walking out with this one even though she has a better chance of winning than Dana Brooke, Asuka, and Carmella. Monster heels don’t need the MITB briefcase, though I do know that Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, and Kane are former winners. I can see Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax down the line as these two didn’t really get a chance to feud; however, I predict that Becky will come out on top.
I don’t know how officials feel about Baszler at the moment. She’s still being pushing as a top star, but her losing at WrestleMania 36 was a telling sign that maybe Vince isn’t too high on her. The former NXT Women’s Champion has been spotlighted better than Lacey Evans, though I blame the lackluster build on the Smackdown side due to the writers. Baszler gets my pick here, though Jax winning wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
WWE Universal Championship match: Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt
This is definitely not a one and done match as Wyatt is the man that will step into the ring on Sunday, not The Fiend. Hell, Wyatt himself said that it won’t be over between them on Smackdown this past Friday. It wouldn’t surprise me if this was a squash like win for Braun, with The Fiend taking the title away from the “Monster Among Men” on their next encounter.
Winner: Braun Strowman and still WWE Universal Champion
WWE Championship match: Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins
The only way McIntyre is dropping the WWE Championship is due to the company going into panic mode because of the historic ratings drop in the past few weeks. Look, the reason the ratings are low is simply due to many people not being a fan of the empty arena aspect every week; however, Vince cited Brock Lesnar as the primary reason the ratings have spiked down, so anything could be possible here.
Andrade and Styles could be the next opponents for McIntyre; however, I’m not ruling out Lesnar/McIntyre II at Summerslam. Seth Rollins is getting another opportunity at the title next month, but I don’t feel that the championship will ever change hands.
Winner: Seth Rollins via Disqualification or countout
Fatal 4-Way match for the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship: Big E and Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz and John Morrison vs. “The Forgotten Sons” Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler vs. “Lucha House Party” Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik
I don’t see the New Day having the Smackdown belts for long. Since returning to the tag team scene, Kingston hasn’t had any character development and to be honest, once he defeated Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35, he simply reverted back to his goofy, pancake loving self. Big E. has been the same way.
That may change here. The Forgotten Sons could end up getting the victory here based off a mistake by either Kofi or Big E. Most likely, the latter would be turning heel down the road leading to a match at Summerslam. Realistically, there’s nothing else for The New Day can do in the tag team division. Sure, they can have single feuds with The Forgotten Sons, Lucha House Party, or whatever team the company decides to randomly put together but with the lack of character development from the champs or the tag division as a whole, the feuds won’t be any different from their previous reigns.
Winner: The Forgotten Sons become the new WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions
Smackdown Women’s Championship match: Bayley vs. Tamina
I’m gonna actually go with Tamina winning the championship here. I can see the interference from Sasha Banks backfiring, with the second-generation star capitalizing and getting the three count. However, Tamina will most likely have a short title reign.
Sasha Banks winning the belt could possibly be the next step, thus causing friction between her and Bayley going forward. I can also see Sonya Deville becoming the champ and continuing her feud with Mandy Rose throughout the summer. Bayley retaining wouldn’t surprise me; however, I feel officials want to give Tamina a short run with the belt.
Winner: Tamina becomes the WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion
Pre-Show Picks
R-Truth will beat MVP
Jeff Hardy will beat Cesaro
That’s it! Thanks for reading and feel free to put your predictions in the comment section.