Match Predictions and Heat Index Anticipation Levels
Temperature Scale = Scorching > Hot > Lukewarm > Temperate > Chilly > Cold > Freezing
Heat Index is my assessment of how interesting the segment is, including how excited I am for the match and how intriguing the feud has been. The hotter, the better. Scorching translates to not being able to wait to see it, while Freezing means I couldn’t possibly care less and think it will be awful.
MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH:
Big E vs. Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison vs. Kevin Owens vs. Ricochet vs. Riddle vs. Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Heat Index = Scorching
Prediction: Big E wins.
Thoughts: Ladder matches are almost always fun and this is one of the most important matches of the year. Every person involved is talented as hell, too. I’d be pretty happy with any of them winning, even though I have my favorites I’m rooting more for. All in all, that’s a recipe for success.
WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH:
Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Liv Morgan vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Tamina vs. Zelina Vega
Heat Index = Scorching
Prediction: Alexa Bliss wins.
Thoughts: It’s another Money in the Bank ladder match. They’re always going to be Scorching, just like Royal Rumble matches will always be the top of the top for hype. I have no idea who is going to win this year, as WWE has been so haphazardly nuts with so much of its booking that the most logical outcomes are almost never how things play out. Sometimes, it’s not even the people involved in this particular match who end up winning, too! It’s crazy, so I’m excited for it and I hope they don’t screw it up in the long run. I’m rooting for Naomi, but with this lineup and the lack of momentum on most people’s sides, I guess they’ll just go with Bliss because she can have a wacky briefcase.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Bobby Lashley wins.
Thoughts: The match itself should be more than fine within its bubble, but I’m not judging it as a first-time viewer. These guys are great, but I’ve seen it before and I know Lashley’s not dropping that belt. That kills a good portion of the hype out of the gate. By no means am I down on it, but I’m not super pumped to just watch something I’ve already seen a few weeks back on a rerun.
UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Edge
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Roman Reigns wins.
Thoughts: Points docked for it being a rematch and another scenario where I just can’t imagine Reigns drops the belt, similar to Lashley. However, Edge is one of my favorites and to see him wrestle again is always a treat. I’m also curious how they’ll get around the finish. Is Edge simply taking a pin? Will he tap out? Are there shenanigans in the works? In any fashion, Reigns is retaining, but I’m interested how they get to that point.
RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Charlotte Flair wins.
Thoughts: They’re going to give it to Flair, aren’t they? I’m fully expecting that to be the case. Since that’s how I’m feeling heading into it, I’m not as excited. I don’t want Ripley dropping the belt—least of all to Flair, who I think she needs to soundly beat more than once with no excuses to make up for the WrestleMania 36 tap out.
RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
AJ Styles and Omos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: AJ Styles and Omos win.
Thoughts: It’s not the most amazing feud in the world, nor will this be the best match on the card, but it should be a very solid tag team title defense. This is perfectly good for a midcard filler match on this show. The Viking Raiders will have their moments where they are on top, Omos will look huge, Styles will hold down the fort and the titles will stay where they are. It’ll be a thumbs up segment, but not something that will be a MOTY candidate. And that’s okay.
SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Dominik & Rey Mysterio (c) vs. The Usos
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: The Usos win.
Thoughts: I’m curious to see how Dominik fares in front of a live crowd, since he’s yet to do that. The match itself should be good, especially for an opener. Then, I’m imagining the belts change hands, which should be at least minimally exciting by default. It’s not going to be the Match of the Year in WWE or anything, I’d assume, but I’m very happy this is on the card and not being tossed on SmackDown instead.
OVERALL PPV:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Hot
Thoughts: The two ladder matches should be a lot of fun, there’s potential for other things to be interesting, too, and I’m very much into having a crowd back. If WWE doesn’t make this a success, we’ll know that we’re in for a rough couple of months, if not that it’s a sign even with everything going on, WWE still won’t bother to improve. In either fashion, we’ll at least know the answer.
What do you think is going to happen at WWE Money in the Bank? Which matches are you most excited to see? Keep the discussion going in the comments below!
