WWE’s Money in the Bank Review by @bflo_girl

The Money in the Bank PPV summed up where WWE is right now creatively: half lackluster matches and lazy booking and half some of the best wrestling and storytelling in years. It set up some exciting storylines for the next few months, but overall the night was okay- not great. Thankfully the main event and Ambrose’s cash-in kept it interesting.

Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match

I love the New Day, but I didn’t not love this match. While it was fun, it was sloppy. The tag team division is full of talent right now and should be better than that match. While I really want to see a New Day vs Enzo & Cass feud, I think The Club will end the New Day’s title run after they break the record.  

Dolph Ziggler vs Baron Corbin

Even Dolph Ziggler can’t make me care about Corbin. This match has been done so many times in the last few months that it didn’t matter how good the actual match was, it didn’t seem to matter. This feud needs to wrap up if Corbin is going to become the dominant heel he is expected to be.

Becky Lynch and Natalya vs Charlotte and Dana Brooke

Again the women weren’t given enough time to do more than a very basic match. This was just a set up for a much needed Natalya heel turn. This could lead to great matches between Natalya and Lynch if WWE gives them enough time and commits to more than one women’s story per show. Hopefully this means Paige or Sasha Banks will get their shot at Charlotte- who Paige has beaten twice in the last month.  With Bayley being advertised for WWE shows in August, the Women’s division has the talent, but WWE needs to fully commit to the division.

Sheamus vs Apollo Crews

This match had flashes of why I was so excited for Apollo Crews to get called up. It was a solid match, but needs a more interesting story to keep the feud going. Apollo needs more to his character if he is going to be taken seriously. Currently he’s a guy with a great smile and an interesting move set. He is someone who will either be helped by the brand split or forever lost in the mid card.

John Cena vs AJ Styles

Full disclosure: I once drove to Binghamton, NY to see AJ Styles wrestle in a Knights of Columbus. So to say I was excited for this match is a huge understatement.

Styles has been and will continue to bring the best out of Cena. This match exceeded the hype with great storytelling. Styles shouting “Is that all he’s got?” is going to be on repeat leading up to the rematch. While I know fans were disappointed with the finish, but I have to trust that there will be a payoff in the next few weeks/months.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Dean Ambrose needed to win this. He’s gotten so close to the title so many times, to just fall short. This sets up the future Shield triple threat match fans have been begging to see. The match itself was of course a spot fest, but having seen these 6 men fight each other repeatedly over the last three weeks, it just didn’t feel as special. Everyone got moments to shine and gained momentum that will hopefully lead to new and interesting feuds leading up to Battleground and eventually Summer Slam.

Rusev vs Titus O’Neil

Remember when Cena held the US Championship? And WWE spent a lot of time making it relevant again?

This match was fine.

Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns

Here’s my problem: this match wasn’t good enough for how late it was. There were some strong spots and seemed to foreshadow a double turn with Rollins playing more of a face role, but the slow pace hurt the excitement for me. We also got the second ref bump of the night, which felt lazy.

Ambrose cashing in saved the match, and the show in general. All three members of the Shield held the title in one night, a great way for their story to come full circle. I’m excited for the next few months of matches between these three men, but I fear Ambrose is a transitional champ that won’t last past the brand split.

Overall the night was mixed. Styles vs Cena was great, MITB and Rollins vs Reigns were strong matches, and finally having Ambrose hold the title makes this a show fans can buzz about for a few days. It was a little too long, and some of the early matches could have been better, but there are strong storylines developing that will hopefully be built on before Battleground.