Brock Lesnar becoming Mr. Money in the Bank is everything that’s wrong with WWE.
Sami Zayn and Braun Strowman lost their spot in the match and seven other superstars put their bodies through hell so WWE could pull off this cringeworthy, last-minute swerve with someone who doesn’t need the briefcase. Instead of using the match to create a new star at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, WWE continues to push an old one. We’ve seen this too many times before, leaving a sour taste from an otherwise strong show Sunday night at the XL Center in Hartford.
Having Zayn literally get hung up backstage and sent to the hospital and Strowman deny doing it set up plenty of anticipation for who was behind it. The first thought was the new Bray Wyatt, instead we got Lesnar — albeit a tan one who looks to be in tremendous shape. Lesnar has seemingly put a UFC return to rest, but will he work enough to make that briefcase mean something as WWE gets set to unveil a new title on Raw tonight?
Whom this really hurts, other than the fans who have to live through Lesnar likely cashing in on one of its heroes, Kofi Kingston or Seth Rollins, is Ricochet, Ali, Drew McIntyre, Andrade and Baron Corbin. All of those young stars had a chance for a moment and a career boost taken away by a part-timer.
Andrade stole the show with a sunset flip of Finn Balor off a ladder and onto another one and a Spanish Fly of Ali off a ladder. McIntyre threw Ricochet over the top rope through a ladder and Corbin slammed Ali through an announce table. They all deserved better than to work their butts off for 20 minutes only for Lesnar to go over — again. With the All Elite Wrestling threat looming, WWE needs to be better than this. (The Usos were on the kickoff show — again.)
“Awesome to see @BrockLesnar win the #MoneyInTheBank match…even though he wasn’t officially entered!” AEW star Chris Jericho tweeted. “Brock is the future of the biz and this perfect example of genius booking shows why @WWE will remain on top FOREVER! #GoBrockGo”
However, it isn’t a surprise that you can look to the women’s division and WWE finally getting things right with Bayley for hope.
The women’s Money in the Bank ladder match was an excellent open that made great use of the ladder. Nikki Cross’ ladder head swing was pure fun, and Naomi sliding and then slipping under ladders was an excellent way to show off her athletic ability. The trend continued with Mandy Rose and Natalya sandwiching Bayley inside the ladder and Ember Moon hitting an Ellipse off one.
Just when you thought WWE was going to bog down the match and finish with shenanigans, (Carmella returning from injury and Sonya Deville carrying Rose on her back up the ladder to the briefcase), it all become an excellent set-up for Bayley to win. She confronted Rose and Deville and got a big crowd pop when she pulled down the briefcase.
Bayley made that moment even more important later by cashing in on Charlotte Flair, who defeated Becky Lynch (still Raw women’s champion) with the help of Lacey Evans, to win the SmackDown women’s title. Unlike with its men, the WWE left its women’s division in a better place than when the night started.
The Universal championship match also delivered. A.J. Styles and Seth Rollins put on a good old-fashioned technical wrestling match, with both competitors trying to outdo and outmaneuver the other with plenty of drama late. Also every big move came out of reversal.
Rollins kicked out of a Styles Clash and escaped a Calf Crusher. While Styles was able to dramatically counter Rollins’ first Stomp attempt, he wasn’t as lucky on the second. Rollins crawling to the cover added some drama, and the legend of The Beast Slayer grows. Too bad Lesnar is back to try to ruin it all.
Other matches:
Lars Sullivan destroys the Lucha House Party
It was another squash segment for The Freak, picking apart the Lucha House party. The segment was better saved for a Raw or SmackDown, but the blood (and Sullivan wiping it on his chest) was a good step up in detail.
The Usos over Daniel Bryan and Rowan to win the SmackDown tag team championships
Waste to make this a non-title match and waste to put it on the preshow. The Usos from Raw beating the SmackDown champ in a fun match, meaning more wild-card madness.
Tony Nese over Ariya Daivari to retain the Cruiserweight championship
Glad the cruiserweights got some time on the main card. The match was as physical as the build-up was intense, but there have been much better cruiserweight matches. Still a good match for Nese to build off.
Rey Mysterio over Samoa Joe to win the United States Championship
It’s a shame these two don’t get more time, but a fast, stunning and controversial pin from Mysterio (Joe’s left shoulder was clearly up) achieved its goal. It triggered Joe to unleash his fury on Mysterio post-match as his son, Dominic, chose to only watch to keep the feud progressing.
Shane McMahon over The Miz (Steel cage match)
Way too long, and the crowd wasn’t into it for large chunks, but man we got a fun end. After chasing McMahon around the cage for nearly the whole match, Miz goes for a superplex off the top of the cage. And like he did at WrestleMania, McMahon lucks out by slipping out of his jersey and falling to the floor for the win.
Roman Reigns over Elias
We got a backstage guitar shot from Elias before the match, an electric guitar performance and Reigns showing back up for payback. Superman punch, spear, pin repeat. WWE needs to start adding depth to Reigns.
Becky Lynch over Lacey Evans to retain the Raw women’s championship
Can someone explain to me why a proper lady like Evans is portrayed shooting fake money into the crowd from plastic handguns on her way to ring like a bottle service girl? With that aside, she had a very good showing, and her physical style makes her a believable main-event player. Unlike the WrestleMania main event, the ref got it right with Lynch’s shoulder off the mat, allowing her to turn a reversal into the Disarm-her for the win.
Charlotte Flair over Becky Lynch to win the SmackDown women’s championship
Flair’s face was priceless prancing to the ring to make Lynch wrestle immediately after beating Evans. The match wasn’t anything we haven’t seen before from these two, but ultimately led to an amazing Bayley moment.
Kofi Kingston over Kevin Owens to retain the WWE championship
Kingston, who has been criticized for still being too light-hearted and throwing pancakes, showed a more serious and aggressive approach during this match, and the plate was replaced by a short stack for his entrance.
WWE is showing a lot of faith in Kingston as he beat Owens clean in the middle of the ring thanks to Trouble in Paradise. Owens’ time should come soon, but Kingston needs a bigger, more dangerous threat right now to keep the emotion around him going.
Biggest winner: Bayley
Biggest Loser: Every wrestler associated with the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match not named Brock Lesnar
Match of the Night: Seth Rollins vs. A.J. Styles
Predictions: 8-4
Grade: B-