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:
Drew McIntyre vs. Omos vs. Madcap Moss vs. Riddle vs. Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Seth Rollins wins.
Thoughts: I have zero faith WWE is going to use the men’s briefcase well this time around. Roman Reigns isn’t being cashed in on, in my mind. I know a lot of people think Rollins will win this, cash in, beat Reigns at SummerSlam and that’ll be how Cody Rhodes wins the Royal Rumble and title at WrestleMania, but I think you’re giving WWE too much credit. They always put all their eggs in one basket. You don’t think Reigns vs. The Rock is just going to be for both belts? Please. I do think Rollins still wins this, but that he FAILS his cash-in.
WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH:
Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch vs. Lacey Evans vs. Liv Morgan vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Becky Lynch wins.
Thoughts: As much as I think the men’s briefcase will be a waste this year, I really hope WWE has a decent plan for the women’s. I don’t have a ton of faith in that, but I do hope. Becky Lynch seems like the most obvious winner, since she’s the highest up on the totem pole by far. However, I think it would be interesting if Raquel Rodriguez won and turned heel to beat Bianca Belair at some point down the line. Most of the women here don’t stand a chance to become champion against Belair, let alone Ronda Rousey, so it’s down to those two or it goes to waste.
RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Carmella
Heat Index = Freezing
Prediction: Bianca Belair wins.
Thoughts: Obviously, this wasn’t the match WWE had planned for. Rhea Ripley was injured, so they had to swap her with someone else and chose Carmella. I’m not Freezing on this out of spite of Belair or Carmella, mind you. I’m actually fond of both. But this match has been done before, has zero steam behind it, will ultimately mean nothing and, to be perfectly honest, most likely won’t be all that amazing, either. It’s hard to get hyped about something that feels like it is happening just for the sake of happening. The only way Carmella wins is if they want to do some sort of “gotcha” with a cash-in right after, but I think that’s only like a 2% chance of happening.
SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Natalya
Heat Index = Cold
Prediction: Ronda Rousey wins.
Thoughts: I just don’t like Ronda Rousey as a character. None of her promos are convincing or interesting to listen to. Natalya suffers from a lot of the same lack of mic work value. The match should be fine, but it’s not going to be anything that will keep my full attention, I’d bet. Rousey also is as much of a guarantee to win as you can get, which kills some of the intrigue.
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
The Usos (c) vs. The Street Profits
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: The Usos win.
Thoughts: We all know The Street Profits aren’t winning the titles. However, the match should still be good. Both teams are among the best WWE has had in years (in some cases, ever). They’ll deliver in the ring. It does feel like filler, though, when WWE puts so much emphasis on people with titles that we know are going to keep it until WrestleMania. You almost just look at your calendar and check out until January. Can we get rid of those ugly ass title belts by now, by the way?
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Theory (c) vs. Bobby Lashley
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Theory wins.
Thoughts: Aren’t we all just waiting for SummerSlam to see Theory against John Cena? This match either is just a stall with Theory retaining, or Lashley wins the title so they can avoid having that in the mix for the Cena/Theory match. I’m not anticipating a five-star classic, but it should be okay. As far as the winner, I’m leaning toward Theory retaining, as it keeps Lashley open for a potential match against Roman Reigns down the line. Then again, he could just drop the title back to Theory after SummerSlam, too. Flip a coin.
OVERALL PPV:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Thoughts: Three matches should be interesting. Three matches could be decent, but with iffy outcomes. This is an event that will probably make more sense in hindsight, for better or worse. But going into it, I’m not feeling it as much as I did for other years.
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!
