Friday, March 29, 2024
EditorialSmackDown Superstars Missing from WWE Money in the Bank 2018 Card

SmackDown Superstars Missing from WWE Money in the Bank 2018 Card

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Following the go-home edition of SmackDown Live, we can now look at the list of WWE superstars from the blue brand who will be missing from the 2018 Money in the Bank show—at least, as far as what is currently being advertised.

There is always a chance more people are added to the mix or there is some kind of change to the card later this week or even at the last minute, but for now, this post will fill you in on the men and women who are either guaranteed to be left off the show or are at least in danger of that happening.

Some of these omissions make perfect sense and others are a bit more questionable, so let’s take a look at the list and see where these wrestlers fall as we breakdown the SmackDown Live talent missing from the pay-per-view lineup right now.

From the SmackDown Men’s Singles Division

— Andrade “Cien” Almas / Sin Cara: The first feud for Andrade “Cien” Almas on SmackDown will be against Sin Cara, but while that might be an exciting one, there aren’t enough spots on this card left to fill to justify having this match be one of them, particularly when some titles aren’t even being defended. This will be a television feud and Almas will probably not appear on a pay-per-view until he can get something more important, like a United States Championship match.

— Jeff Hardy: Speaking of that title, the US champion Jeff Hardy has been largely MIA after losing to Daniel Bryan in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. There’s a chance he could be dealing with an injury, but after his match against Shinsuke Nakamura, that doesn’t seem as likely. Instead, it seems WWE just had nothing in mind for the United States title and figured it would be best to keep him out of the limelight until something comes up.

— R-Truth: For the past several months, R-Truth has been out of action dealing with injuries. He’s popped back up since the Superstar Shake-up, but only in backstage segments, which could indicate that he’s not able to perform in the ring yet. Even if that’s not the case, and he’s cleared, he’s not someone who has a big enough role on the roster right now to make room for.

— Randy Orton: The Viper has been absent for the past few weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his left knee. There has been no indication of when he will be returning, but it’s safe to assume SummerSlam could be a likely option.

— Shelton Benjamin: After failing to get anywhere in his quest for the United States Champinoship, Shelton Benjamin has simply dropped off the face of the earth, only making an appearance this week to lose to Daniel Bryan. With Jeff Hardy possibly being injured and little to no interest in doing a feud between those two, WWE probably has nothing for Benjamin.

— Tye Dillinger: Sadly, even though I’m a fan of The Perfect 10, he doesn’t seem to be one of WWE’s priorities and likely won’t ever be. He had an entertaining showing against Shinsuke Nakamura recently, but was set up to lose and did just that.

From the SmackDown Women’s Division

— The IIconics: I’m extremely surprised that neither Peyton Royce nor Billie Kay found their way into the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Part of me is thinking that’s because WWE didn’t want either of them to take up a spot and amount to nothing, but a bigger part of me is thinking they might interfere just to cause some kind of confusion and screw Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch out of it, instead.

— Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville: Absolution is no more as a trio, but Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are still a duo that is being featured quite a bit. I’m less surprised that they were left off the card than The IIconics, but still a bit shocked in the same regard. I would have thought one of them would get the Lana spot, maybe. Nope. But hey, they’ve had some tweaks to their entrance themes, so that’s something. Also, while I think The IIconics might influence the ladder match, I could see Rose and Deville screwing Asuka out of her title match with Carmella.

— Nikki Bella: Nikki Bella was last seen competing in the Royal Rumble and with her other business ventures, her breakup with John Cena and no build to any matches for her for this event, her exclusion is expected.

— Tamina Snuka: Tamina is still out with her torn rotator cuff injury from earlier this year.

From the SmackDown Tag Team Division

— Aiden English: Technically, as part of Rusev Day and someone who isn’t advertised for the card, Aiden English has to be mentioned on this list. However, between Lana’s and Rusev’s entrances, you’d have to assume he’d make an appearance in at least one of them, if not both, so I think it’s pretty safe to say he will be at Money in the Bank as a background player.

— The Bar: After losing their qualifying match against The New Day, that kicked them out of the running to participate on this card. I wouldn’t be too shocked if they made an appearance to keep that feud going by interfering, but it’s not a guarantee by any means.

— The Colons: Primo was only recently used as a jobber in the Greatest Royal Rumble and nothing more. Epico is still injured, so this team is dead in the water until after that point, and perhaps longer than that.

— SAnitY: So…where is this stable? WWE advertised them as being part of the SmackDown roster with the Superstar Shake-up for several weeks and then dropped that idea entirely. That must be an indicator that they didn’t have any actual plans for them and that they’re on hold until something else happens. Maybe they were waiting for Nikki Cross. Maybe there’s another issue, like an injury. Who knows?

— The Usos: After Jimmy and Jey lost their No. 1 contender’s match against The Good Brothers, they didn’t really have any other chance to participate on this card. There’s a chance we see them encouraging Naomi backstage or something along those lines, but that’s about it.

Do you think these men and women or any others not on this list should have been booked on the card in some fashion? How would you have utilized them if given the opportunity? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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