Money In The Bank 2014 General Discussion & Aftermath

[Jack-Hammer]

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, via wrestlinginc.com, the WWE will only be having a single MITB ladder match at the ppv at the end of June. While it doesn't specifically state that it'll be for a shot at the WWE WHC, they probably felt there was no need as it's obviously what WWE has in mind. As of right now, Cesaro is the front-runner to win the match, but no decision has been finalized as of right now.

If WWE is going the route of only have one of the gimmick matches at the themed ppvs, I think it's time to scrap the theme ppvs altogether. It's become the standard for Elimination Chamber, Hell in a Cell and now Money in the Bank. I don't see why they don't utilize one of the gimmick matches for one of the mid-card titles. Personally, I think it could add a little spice to the mid-card title picture.

As for Cesaro allegedly the front-runner, it's not as much of a surprise now as it would have been had this info come out a few months ago. I think most of us expected The Shield to have been broken up by now with Roman Reigns moving up the singles ranks. The Shield break up has either been pushed back or scrapped altogether, so there's no telling what this means in terms of Reigns' rumored singles push.

 

[Dagger Dias]

This is a bit disappointing. The midcarders should have a briefcase too, this is an opportunity to give them a shot now that there is only one world title. Heck, they could have tried a tag team title briefcase. The fact that there was not one but two ladder matches was part of the appeal for the Money In the Bank PPV event. Also, if there is only one winner then they have to make absolute certain that he can be trusted with such a big push. Cesaro if this rumor is true would make a fine choice. I really hope they do add a second match back onto the card though. I don't care if it's for the Intercontinental tier, the tag team division, or even for the divas, do two. I don't think one is going to be enough. This is not Wrestlemania. It worked back when it was a Wrestlemania exclusive to only do one briefcase and one match. Money In the Bank with a world title match, one of its namesake ladder matches, and a bunch of filler doesn't exactly sound awesome on paper.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Title shots shouldn't just be handed out to anybody. How many MITB winners of the past couple of years have deserved or needed it? Orton & Cena would've got shots anyway, Sandow's was a waste of time. The gimmick needs to be promoted properly which, while it has still be entertaining on occasion, hasn't really served much of a purpose since RVD cashed in.

And I definately don't need to see more than one of the same gimmick on the same card. One will do just fine.

 

[Alex]

I always thought WWE themed PPVs were trying to hard to be TNA's Lockdown (which now is becoming slightly redundant). The only WWE themed PPV that worked was Hell In A Cell when it was every match and really that was ripping off Lockdown anyway.

When it comes to Money In The Bank I always thought it having it's own PPV took away how special it was as a concept. That and the same way everyone has cashed in the same way since RVD.

When it comes to potential winners. Again MITB has become the lazy way of going to the main event. I'd argue that other than Edge none of the MITB winners have got to the main event scene with the briefcase and stayed there. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan had short runs thanks to the briefcase but dropped off and got back on their own. Miz and Swagger had brief runs and are now in midcard jobber territory. Orton and Cena were already main eventers when they won. And Sandow didn't even get there.

The concept of the Money In The Bank is great. The execution is generally terrible. The lack of interesting ways of utilising MITB is what kills it for me. If they build up the winner strongly so that when he cashes in it's believable then the winner will be a bonafide main eventer.

When it comes to Cesaro I'm skeptical. I like the guy but I feel he'd be better off getting to the main event without MITB

 

[laodaron]

For years I've been against the concept of a Gimmick Theme PPV. It doesn't make sense to have to wait until HiaC PPV to have the HiaC gimmick match if a feud warrants it. The same thing with ER, or even MitB.

I don't mind gimmick matches, but if you're going to theme your PPV, then every title should have it's own gimmick having to do with the theme.

I don't mind Cesaro winning, because it's a "Get into a feud free" card if they book it correctly. What I do mind is that Wyatt, all three Shield members, and BNB, Sheamus, etc. have all been fighting equally or more relevant people than Cesaro has for the title shot. It seems short sighted to me.

 

[chicagokmc]

The consolidation of heavyweight belts could be beneficial to the Money in the Bank match. If booked right WWE could have one of its most interesting Money In the Bank matches because now everyone has to be in the one match and aren’t spread between 2. If you were Creative, how would you book it? For example:

- There are so many dangling plotlines and outstanding issues with the World title I could easily see the justification for expanding the field to 8 people.

- Would you book Wyatt vs Cena to win a spot or Wyatt and Cena both in with Wyatt defeating Cena to actually win it?

- Orton never got his rematch from WrestleMania. Does he automatically qualify for MITB?

- Do you include any of the up and comers, the most recent from NXT? Russev is the one that seems furthest along.

- Is Cesaro a must include to keep up his momentum?

- Do you include the current I/C or US title holders? I wouldn't but if it there were one time it would make storyline sense for title holders to be doing something other than defending their titles in a PPV, the chance to win the MITB contract would be it.

- If Kane isn’t doing anything else, is there any reason why he wouldn’t be in the match? The wild card of the Authority to ensure they have a stake in the game.

- Is one or more members of the Shield in the match? Authority putting “restrictions” on the number of Shield entrants is the kind of bug that could eventually lead to the Shield break up.


Just seems like a lot of possibilities for a good match. Thoughts??

 

[bestintheworld.j.h33]

If I booked MITB 2014 the competitors would be Cena, Wyatt, Orton, Bad News Barrett, Cesaro, Reigns, Ambrose and Sheamus with BNB picking up the briefcase. I say Cena and Wyatt just beat the hell outta each other, Sheamus and Orton are just kinda there and maybe Ambrose screws Reigns out of a win.

 

[Radical]

With Cesaro the clearly WWE Creative's favorite to win no one can be surprised if he does win.

But if he doesn't, Bray Wyatt or one of the members of The Shield should win.

I'll tell you why.

Bray Wyatt - Winning MITB should give him a chance to get a few big wins under his belt (first by qualifying for the match) and then fighting competition after the match and then soon cashing it in at SummerSlam over Daniel Bryan.

Wyatt could then lead his charge as THE BIG CHAMPION of THE WORLD!

Any Member of The Shield - Instantly makes compelling TV. Do the other Shield members stay loyal and supportive to the one Champion? Do they instantly get sour and bitter? Or do they seem to support their 'teammate' but slowly and surely start to become resentful.

This could lead to many interesting matches including a Triple Threat for the title towards a Shield (as we know them) split.

However, I still hope even after the original Shield split that one member remains and adds two new guys to make a New Shield (like New Nexus) because that will help some struggling guys maybe like Ryback and Axel to get back into the main stage.

 

[The Eighties]

I know there's a thread on booking the actual ladder match but I thought we could still have the regular discussion thread for the whole card.

There will only be one MITB ladder match this year and it will apparently feature 7 guys. For some reason Bertie got a spot over Dolph as the first confirmed qualifier and I expect Cena and Cesaro to be added. I wouldn't be too surprised to see both mid-card Champions added and Bray is a likely entrant even though I don't really see him as a title chasing character. Not sure about the 7th guy.

I could be wrong but I see the big Evolution/Shield angle playing out away from the MITB match with Rollins vs Ambrose and Orton vs Reigns as singles matches, Reigns in particular needs a couple of PPV singles matches before he faces Triple H at Summerslam.

I'm pretty sure Kane vs Bryan in a stretcher match will happen, honestly I just don't want to see Kane in a main event title program in 2014 so hopefully this will be an end to it and Bryan can move on to a more interesting challenger.

Rowan & Harper have beaten The Usos twice in non-title matches so a tag title match between the two would seem a good bet.

Big Show returned on Raw and he'd seem a pretty solid pick as an opponent for Rusev, and I imagine they'll sort out a title defense for Paige.

 

[Wolf Pac]

Can see those one-on-one matches between Rollins/Ambrose and Reigns/Orton happening and them swapping opponents at Battleground. Wouldn't be suprised to see Rollins & Orton vs. Ambrose & Reigns but the one-on-one matches seem like a better idea. Rollins can go over Ambrose at Money in the Bank and then Reigns can get revenge for The Shield by defeating Rollins at Battleground, before moving onto Triple H at Summerslam.

I'm sure Rob Van Dam will be the 7th guy, as the spot monkey of the match. If Bryan isn't healthy enough to compete and he's forced to vacate the belt then I could see Kane in the MiTB match instead of Barrett and Barrett making a title defense.

I think Cody Rhodes is headed for a heel turn and a match with his brother at the PPV. My guess is Goldust will continue losing tag matches with his new partners and Cody will realize that his brother is actually the problem and is what's been holding him back.

For the pre-show, Bo Dallas vs. Big E? Bo going over a big guy and a former IC Champion like Big E would be a good boost for Dallas.


If Bryan can compete:

Money in the Bank Match
John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro vs. Sheamus vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Bad News Barrett

Stretcher Match for the WWE Title
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kane

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton

WWE Tag Team Championship
The Usos (c) vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan

WWE Divas Championship
Paige (c) vs. Natalya

Rusev vs. Big Show

Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust

Pre-Show: Bo Dallas vs. Big E


If Bryan can't compete:

Money in the Bank Match for the vacant WWE Title
John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro vs. Sheamus vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Kane

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton

WWE Tag Team Championship
The Usos (c) vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan

WWE Divas Championship
Paige (c) vs. Natalya

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Rusev vs. Big Show

Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust

Pre-Show: Bo Dallas vs. Big E

 

[WorldChampionJustin]

8-man Ladder match for the briefcase, Bad News Barrett VS. Cesaro VS Dean Ambrose VS Seth Rollins VS Roman Reigns VS RVD VS Christian VS Tyler Breeze, Seth Rollins leaves MITB the winner, and becomes the Authorities next "face" or champion.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

According to a report via F4WOnline.com, a few of the matches that are expected to be announced or are being discussed for the ppv, aside from the MITB match of course, include Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton. The next phase of the feud will see Rollins take on Reigns at the Battleground ppv before Reigns has a singles bout against Triple H at SummerSlam.

If this turns out to be the way they're going, it's a bit of a surprise, though not in a bad way. I expected most of these guys to be involved in the MITB match, but a series of singles matches starting up seems appropriate considering how Rollins screwed over his "brothers" this past Monday. Ambrose & Reigns' focus in an MITB match wouldn't be on MITB, but would be tryin' to kill Rollins.

The other match that's been mentioned would involve Mark Henry vs. Rusev. Given that Rusev's opponents of note have been African American, it fits. Henry's the only somewhat active black wrestler on the roster that Rusev hasn't taken on and Henry's powerlifting background provides another opportunity for Rusev to look like a beast. His match against Big E at Payback was on the short side, but it was physical and gave the first real glimpse of seeing what Rusev can potentially bring.

 

[rge2010]

I am pretty certain that MITB 2014 will indeed have the Briefcase match. I mean this is the whole concept of the PPV and the briefcase is on the front of the official poster.

Why are the nerds who pollute these boards getting so irate and impatient over this? The Main Event will be for the World Title and I am 99% positive that there will also be a ladder match for the Briefcase. Stop complaining and just see what unfolds over the coming weeks!!!!

For what it is worth I think Seth Rollins is either going to win the Briefcase or win the Title.

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

As of right now this is how I see the card shaping up:

WWE World Heavyweight Title Ladder Match:
Alberto Del Rio vs Randy Orton vs Sheamus vs Cesaro vs John Cena vs Kane vs Big Show

Money in the Bank Briefcase Ladder Match:
Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns vs Bray Wyatt vs Wade Barrett vs Kofi Kingston vs Jack Swagger

WWE Tag Team Title Match:
The Usos (c) vs Rowan and Harper

Outside of those matches, I'm sure there will be a divas title match but I have no idea who would face Paige. I can't see them going with Tamina or Alicia Fox and I doubt AJ will be back for this ppv (I think there saving here return closer to SummerSlam so they can have their rematch their). With all the Total Divas considered faces the only other female heels are Layla (currently involved with Summer Rae) and Aksana. I guess Aksana could get the match but there is zero suspense with that one. Then you the rookies like Rusev, Bo Dallas and Adam Rose. One or two of those guys can have matches to round the card at 5 or possibly 6 matches depending on how much/how long the non wrestling segments go for.

 

[Ace Amoeba]

Does anyone know why there are SEVEN people in the ladder match? Not SIX, not EIGHT but an odd number. It could be nothing or it could be something. Perhaps it will be a mystery slot? I can only speculate. I REALLY am hoping Bryan himself fills that slot if he is healed up by then, but prolly not the best idea for him to return too soon.

 

[rge2010]

Does anyone know why there are SEVEN people in the ladder match? Not SIX, not EIGHT but an odd number. It could be nothing or it could be something. Perhaps it will be a mystery slot? I can only speculate. I REALLY am hoping Bryan himself fills that slot if he is healed up by then, but prolly not the best idea for him to return too soon.

There is no set rule for the number of competitors, they just put a number in depending on 'who fits'. I think you are speculating and looking into it too much.

Last year the WWE Briefcase match had six people and the World Briefcase had seven people. In 2012 we saw five superstars and eight superstars in the two matches!!!!

According to reports it is going to be six for the title match - Sheamus, Cesaro, Del Rio, Orton, Wyatt and Cena. It should be seven though as Kane should be in there.

The briefcase match could have anything from 5 to 10 superstars. Now this is a tough one to predict because we do not know what is happening with Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins. Personally I think Rollins would be a great briefcase carrier.

 

[Ace Amoeba]

So on Smackdown Bray Wyatt defeated Dean Ambrose in a qualifying match. I thought Cesaro had it in the bag to take the titles, but this changes everything. Two spots left so anything can happen at this point.

Seeing Bray's crazy antics in this kind of match, especially if the rest of the Wyatt Family get involved, will be hella entertaining. Of course if Cena is interjected into the match with the history he's had with Wyatt would add another layer of possibilities to the main event of Money in the Bank 2014.

 

[rge2010]

Just to point out that WWE Experience here in the UK on Sunday showed a graphic of the MITB competitors and they showed Sheamus, Cesaro, Del Rio, Orton, Wyatt and THREE shadows suggesting that there will be eight participants. Reigns and Cena filled two last night so I wouldn't be surprised to see another one. Haven't watched last nights Raw so do not know if seven was the final number?

 

[rge2010]

Also added to the 2 matches already my card would be:

MITB Ladder Match
Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Bo Dallas, Bad News Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, RVD, The Miz

Rusev vs Big E Langston

 

[The Eighties]

Rollins vs Ambrose seems a likely addition to the card, they are singling each other out and I think a singles match between them would be better than sticking them both in a second ladder match if there actually is one.

The only other guy I think will definitely get a singles match is Rusev, not sure against who but him and Big E are still circling each other so if Henry or Show don't step up I guess a Payback rematch is possible.

 

[Wolf Pac]

Based on what happened on Smackdown, it looks like Jack Swagger might be next in line against Rusev. I've also heard that Colter and Lana have been going at it on Twitter. It would've been nice if they continued planting the seeds for the match during the Battle Royal last night by having Rusev eliminate Swagger or Lana and Colter at ringside, bickering with each other, but I'm sure WWE will do something between the two this Friday on Smackdown. I like the idea of Swagger vs. Rusev better than Rusev going after Henry or Big Show. Swagger could drag a decent match out of Rusev.

As for the Divas Title, Paige will probably defend it against one of The Funkadactyls - likely Naomi with Cameron in her corner. I skipped the match between Paige and Cameron yesterday but I read somewhere that it all started over Cameron slapping Paige, so could a heel turn be in The Funkadactyls' future? There probably should be. The Funkadactyls are a boring and stale act, a heel turn might refreshen them. Naomi vs. Paige should actually be a good match if that's where they're heading.

 

[Ace Amoeba]

Based on what happened on Smackdown, it looks like Jack Swagger might be next in line against Rusev. I've also heard that Colter and Lana have been going at it on Twitter. It would've been nice if they continued planting the seeds for the match during the Battle Royal last night by having Rusev eliminate Swagger or Lana and Colter at ringside, bickering with each other, but I'm sure WWE will do something between the two this Friday on Smackdown. I like the idea of Swagger vs. Rusev better than Rusev going after Henry or Big Show. Swagger could drag a decent match out of Rusev.

As for the Divas Title, Paige will probably defend it against one of The Funkadactyls - likely Naomi with Cameron in her corner. I skipped the match between Paige and Cameron yesterday but I read somewhere that it all started over Cameron slapping Paige, so could a heel turn be in The Funkadactyls' future? There probably should be. The Funkadactyls are a boring and stale act, a heel turn might refreshen them. Naomi vs. Paige should actually be a good match if that's where they're heading.

Noami is great and a wonderful opponent for Paige. I can't see them doing what they did on Raw and have it not lead to a PPV title defense. Moreover, Paige will probably hang onto the title and hew push will continue.

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

Going off of what we saw on Raw last night and what we already know here is my Money in the Bank card 2.0

WWE World Heavyweight Ladder Match
Cesaro vs Alberto Del Rio vs Randy Orton vs Sheamus vs Bray Wyatt vs Roman Reigns vs John Cena

WWE Tag Team Title Match
The Usos (c) vs Harper and Rowan

Divas Title Match
Paige (c) vs Naomi

Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins

Rusev vs Jack Swagger

I feel fairly confident that we will see these 5 matches on the card. After that I think there's a possibility of a #1 contenders match for the tag titles and possibly a IC title match that can be added to the card. I am expecting 6 matches with one of those being a pre show match but if matches like the Divas title match and the Rusev match are kept short, we could see a 7th match on the card.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

There were reports of WWE doing an actual MITB match at the event, though I'm guessing that's probably not gonna happen. Shame really because they could still do a traditional MITB match with the winner getting a future WWE WHC match or an MITB match with the winner getting a shot at the IC title. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Kane, Rusev, Bo Dallas, Big E and Dolph Ziggler aren't in the WWE WHC match and I could see any of them as viable challengers for the IC title. Or, hell, just have Wade Barrett defend the title in a ladder match with 6 other opponents like Rollins, Ambrose, Rusev, Bo Dallas, Big E and Rusev.

However, it probably won't happen as I think they'll go for Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins in a singles match.

 

[laodaron]

I'd really like to see the briefcase match go on in the midcard, and then the title match go as the main event.

I am hoping a heel wins the case and a face wins the belt. Insert swerve, the heel cashes in that night, instant heel wwewhc going into summer slam to fight Daniel Bryan.