Welcome to another edition of WWE Heat Index, wherein we discuss the interest level for the various feuds heading into the pay-per-view events. This time around, we’re focusing on Money in the Bank 2020 coming this Sunday night.
The way this works is a gauge range of Scorching, Hot, Lukewarm, Temperate, Chilly, Cold and Freezing. The hotter, the better, as that indicates your level of excitement, anticipation and faith that it will be good.
Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section to let everyone know what your thermometer reads for each feud as I tell you what my thoughts are below!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Universal Championship Match: Braun Strowman (c) vs. Bray Wyatt = Hot
I’ve been saying for years that I’m not a big fan of Bray Wyatt, in the sense that I think he’s overrated in the ring and with his promos. However, this feud makes so much sense that I can’t fault WWE for going in this direction. I would have picked the exact same feud post-Mania if I were on the writing team.
The execution of it could have been better. It’s been a lot of Strowman just talking to Wyatt via the screen and not a lot of innovative Firefly Fun House content. I’ll give them some leeway, though. It’s definitely harder to pull that stuff off during this pandemic.
The match itself is not going to be great, and I’m going to be really annoyed if Braun loses the title. That makes me nervous, but I’m still excited about the clash in general.
Prediction: Braun Strowman wins.
WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Seth Rollins = Hot
Just like the Strowman/Wyatt situation, having Seth Rollins as the first challenger for Drew McIntyre makes so much sense.
The added benefit to this feud, though, is that these two can surely work a much more exciting match in the ring than Strowman and Wyatt. They’re better overall performers who can have more of a technical performance, compared to how the former is more like two monster trucks smashing into each other.
I fully expect the champ to retain with an impactful Claymore. He’s not dropping that belt until SummerSlam, at the earliest.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins.
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match = Scorching
This is going to be crazy stupid in some ways, but it could be a lot of fun, too.
My level of excitement for this instantly shot up a few levels when AJ Styles was announced, as he was my original pick to win this many, many months ago, even before this pandemic. I figured he’d make a great Mr. Money in the Bank and I’m still banking on that happening.
I’ve enjoyed the Apollo Crews storyline, too. I like the idea that he was building momentum and it got taken away from him. I’m also looking forward to any neat ideas they have for someone like Rey Mysterio or Aleister Black, and I think Otis will barrel through something in the office and make me laugh.
Prediction: AJ Styles wins.
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match = Hot
Is it strange to say I’m not as excited about this, knowing that it’s technically the same match as the previous one I’m Scorching on? Yes.
However, the differentiating factor is that I don’t think the Superstars in the women’s section of this will put on as good of a show, nor do I care about the outcome as much. I don’t think WWE has the right lineup of female talent for this and I think the winner is doomed to do something stupid.
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley is the SmackDown feud, and neither of them are involved. Becky Lynch’s options are blah (she’s beaten Baszler, Jax and Asuka, and I don’t want to see any rematches outside of Baszler, but that’s already downgraded from her losing at WrestleMania, and I don’t want to see her only win the title by cashing in).
Still…despite how I think this is flawed, I’m much more excited about that than this next match…
Prediction: Shayna Baszler wins.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Bayley (c) vs. Tamina = Freezing
Good lord, Bayley has had a terrible title reign. She’s held the belt for a year at this point, outside of 4 days, and what does she have to show for it? She slashed the Bayley Buddies. That’s it. One act for one night and the rest has been awful.
Now, she’s fighting Tamina, who she already fought at WrestleMania. Nobody cares. Tamina isn’t going to win and we all know it, and if she does win, it’s insane.
It’s ridiculous that after 2 years of teasing the Bayley vs. Sasha Banks story, WWE is still playing this game of “eh…maybe we should hold off on this, stretch it out a bit and wait…” Terrible.
Prediction: Bayley wins.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match: The New Day (c) vs. The Forgotten Sons vs. Lucha House Party vs. John Morrison and The Miz = Lukewarm
For a match that involves two of my favorite tag teams of all time (The New Day and The Miz and John Morrison), it’s weird to say the most interesting aspect of this is The Forgotten Sons, who I’ve never cared about.
This is a strange set of circumstances. I’m curious to see how everyone works together, but I don’t think it’ll be anywhere near as good as the original WrestleMania plans for that triple threat with The Usos.
I also really want to know if WWE is putting the titles on The Forgotten Sons or something, just to freshen things up, but I don’t want that to happen. Odd situation, for sure.
Prediction: The New Day wins.
Jeff Hardy vs. Cesaro = Chilly
Cesaro’s been fighting Drew Gulak, Daniel Bryan and now, to a certain extent, Otis. He’s been partnered with Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn and now, King Corbin.
Meanwhile, Jeff Hardy has been involved solely with Sheamus.
So, naturally, let’s just have Cesaro against Hardy. That’ll make sense, right?
At least they’re talented in the ring and this can be fun for its pure match value, even though there’s absolutely nothing to sink your teeth into on the build side of things.
Prediction: Jeff Hardy wins.
MVP vs. R-Truth = Cold
I’m a fan of both, but this is as much of a pointless throwaway nothing match as you can get. It has no setup whatsoever and there’s no reason for it to be happening. It’s also frustrating that they ignored some of the other feuds that have been happening on Raw in order to put this on the card, instead.
Street Profits vs. Viking Raiders for the tag titles would’ve made much, much more sense.
Prediction: MVP wins.
Those are my thoughts, but how do you feel about these particular feuds? What’s hot and what’s cold in your mind? Fill us in on your point of view in the comments below!
