Pro Wrestling

WWE Money In the Bank: Recap

Posted on Author Jeremy Laracuente Comment(1)

The WWE Money In The Bank event had big shoes to fill as NXT Takeover: Chicago event was an incredible event. The Laracuente Ledger recapped the NXT Takeover: Chicago special. And we break down the Money in the Bank event.

Kick-Off

Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. Bludgeon Brothers (Luke Harper & Erick Rowan)

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟

A matchup of brute strength on one side (Bludgeon Brothers) and one of the most underutilized teams in WWE (The Club.) A quick match as was expected. And a retainment of the Smackdown Live Tag Team Championships by the Bludgeon Brothers.

Main Card

Grudge Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟

Battle of big vs. little, and small vs. large. Big Cass used his size while Bryan used his speed and agility. Cass took advantage of the early part of the matchup. Bryan as one would expect tried to mount a few comeback attempts while Cass disrupted those attempts. Then Bryan would begin to mount an offensive attack against the knees of big Cass. This match was built up as a grudge match and in that spirit, there were some stiff shots between the two competitors. Quite a few close near falls helped build the intensity of the match. Bryan would eventually just wear down the left knee of Big Cass and would lock in the heel hook for the win.

Grudge Match: Sami Zayn vs. Bobby Lashley

Laracuente Ledger Rating:1/2

Sami Zayn began the match spending much of the time moving around the outside of the ring. Sami would take every advantage he could early on in the contest. Bobby Lashley would then begin using his strength and the match was over. Lashley is your winner in a really short match.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Elias vs. Seth Rollins

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A very interesting matchup with the clash of styles. The rough and tumble style of Elias in comparison with the highly athletic style of Seth Rollins. This was a fast-paced matchup with a lot of back and forth between both combatants. The crowd was involved in this matchup more so than the previous matches and chanted “This is Awesome.” Elias had a burst of offense in the middle of the match and it made for a high octane spot. The match was built around a weak knee for Rollins. And it allowed for an intriguing end to the matchup.

Women’s Money In The Bank: Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch vs. Ember Moon vs. Lana vs. Natalya vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Charlotte Flair

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This match has such a diverse group of women that intrigues me in this match. A fast-paced hard-hitting matchup that had many memorable moments. These women wanted to put on a show and they did. Each one of the wonderful women in the match had an opportunity to shine. While I completely believed that this match would steal the show these WWE Superstars still managed to even surprise me. Winner and new “Miss Money In The Bank” is Alexa Bliss.

Jinder Mahal vs. Roman Reigns

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟

Roman started off quick and dominated the opening part of the match. The crowd began chanting “CM Punk”, “this match sucks” and “boring” throughout this matchup. After a missed apron dropkick by Reigns, Mahal took control. It was difficult to get into this matchup as the ending was evident from the first moment that the Reigns and Mahal feud began. Roman has potential but he’s just so overly predictable and “Pushed” on the WWE Universe so much that any little momentum achieved quickly falls.

Smackdown Women’s Championship: Asuka vs. Carmella

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Carmella started out the match quickly taunting Asuka. That taunting turned into Carmella controlling much of the match. Carmella seemed to be prepared and countered so of Asuka’s moves. Asuka then began to show the enjoyment of being struck. And the match had more back and forth than I initially expected. Carmella’s in-ring psychology was on full display at several points when she would go for a quick cover after a big maneuver. We then got a surprise appearance from James Ellsworth dressed in Asuka’s entrance robe and mask to help Carmella retain.

WWE Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I must preface this with a bit of negativity as these two competitors much like many wrestlers who join WWE have been watered down. The matches that these two men had for NJPW were incredible. And while the actual in-ring work has been phenomenal (pun intended) they have not been able to show what they have. With this matchup being a “Last Man Standing” match the absolutely bizarre ending that their last several matches have had won’t last. This match was definitely a hard-hitting bout. The quality of the match itself is always of a high caliber with Nakamura and Styles no matter how WWE chooses to end the match. The charisma that Nakamura possesses is almost otherworldly and very entertaining. This contest finally delivered the match we were waiting on. AJ Styles retains his WWE Championship in a tremendous match.

Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Ronda Rousey first singles match is against the imposing force of Nia Jax. What initially impresses about Ronda is her selling ability. Taking a big powerbomb from Nia Jax and the big swing into the barricade. While both ladies were a bit green they worked well together. The obvious second-guessing by Rousey going to the top turnbuckle was a great visual. ANd the diving high cross body into the MMA style barrage. That lead into the judo throw into a modified uranage and then into the armbar were smooth transitions for someone so new. The match ended when Ronda Rousey was attacked by Ms. Money in the Bank Alexa Bliss

Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs “Ms. Money in the Bank” Alexa Bliss

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Bliss attacked both women in the Raw Women’s championship match and then cashed in her MITB briefcase and won the matchup with Nia with Twisted Bliss.

Men’s Money In The Bank: Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor vs. Rusev vs. Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Roode vs. The Miz vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kofi Kingston

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Opening moments had all men turn to attack Braun Strowman. Strowman would fight his way out swinging. Afterwards, the entire field once again began attacking Strowman on the outside. Leading the Monster Among Men up the rampway, then all the men would throw all the ladders on the stage onto Strowman. miz would then try to sneak up a ladder but Samoa Joe would get back in time to knock Miz off the ladder. Each man would make an attempt at the briefcase. And each man would get caught and stopped by another competitor. Big spots have become a staple of this match and this match would be no different. The trust fall dive by Kofi and then the somersault plancha by Finn Balor. Strowman would get back to his feet, and then once again be attacked by multiple opponents to keep him down. On a super tall ladder, Strowman would throw Kevin Owens off the ladder through a table. Braun Strowman would then chokeslam Kofi onto a ladder and run through a ladder held by Bobby Roode and Finn Balor. All the Superstars in this match participated in some very memorable moments. Like the Coup de Grace off the ladder from the outside of the ring into it onto Boody Roode. Or like when Braun Strowman threw Kofi Kingston off his back from the top of the ladder. Ultimately Braun Strowman would prove the victor tonight.

Money In The Bank Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 1/2

All in all this WWE Network Special had some very worthwhile moments yet also some very lackluster moments as well. The namesake gimmick matches of the card provided the true entertainment of the night. Having Little Miss Bliss cash in her newly won Miss Money in the Bank briefcase. And the fact that the Monster in the Bank Braun Strowman won, meaning Brock Lesnar’s days as WWE Universal Championship are numbered.

Jeremy Laracuente

Related Articles
Pro Wrestling

Impact Wrestling Final Hour Recap

Posted on Author Jeremy Laracuente

We were witness to the TV spectacular that was Impact Wrestling’s Final Hour. In an event that was given a more of a Pay-Per-View feel than a basic episode of Impact. So let’s get right to the recap
Pro Wrestling

3 Takeaways from AEW Revolution

Posted on Author Jeremy Laracuente

AEW Revolution was great. There was something for everyone. So let’s get into the three biggest takeaways from AEW Revolution.
Pro Wrestling

3 Takeaways from WWE Clash of Champions

Posted on Author Jeremy Laracuente

Last night WWE Clash of Champions aired on the WWE Network. So we look at three significant takeaways from Clash of Champions.

One Reply to “WWE Money In the Bank: Recap”

  1. Pingback: Solving the Complex: WWE's Booking Issues | Laracuente Ledger

Leave a Reply