Right time, right place. That is the key to being a successful Mr or Miss Money in the Bank. There is no other strategy that can see you win this match. You can’t win the match from the floor, you have to climb to the top of the ladder. that is the right place. But of course, that means putting your body on the line. How many Superstars have we seen falling from ladders over the years of matches like this one? And there’s no good way of falling at that point. The majority of people we see crash through a nearby table or another strategically placed ladder. Just imagine how badly you’d have to want something that you’d be willing to risk your body in the process. That may be what separates WWE Superstars from mere mortals.

Then there’s the timing factor. There’s little use in climbing the ladder right at the start of the match. Similarly, it’s rarely a good idea to be at the top of the ladder when somebody else is too. The best chance of success is climbing the ladder when all your opponents are incapacitated. Just look at Brock Lesnar’s strategy in 2019, the way he didn’t even enter the match until right at the very end. The other seven men were down, showing the effects of a brutal match, then the Beast Incarnate just strolled out, climbed the ladder and retrieved the briefcase. He didn’t even break a sweat. Okay, he actually was a little sweaty. But he is Brock Lesnar.

Winning the contract is one thing, it’s another to actually cash in successfully. Just ask the likes of John Cena, Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman who were all unsuccessful in capturing the gold on their cash-in. Did they make a mistake in their strategy? Unlike Edge, the Ultimate Opportunist, who chose his moment, after John Cena had endured a gruelling Elimination Chamber match, to cash in and win the WWE Championship. Likewise, the way Seth Rollins pulled off the heist of the century when he cashed in during the main event of WrestleMania 31 at a point when Lesnar and Roman Reigns were at their weakest. The right time and the right place.

For the third month in a row, WWE is promoting a Premium Live Event without a World Championship match. It’s the second month in a row without a Roman Reigns appearance either. WWE will be hoping that the spectacle of two Money in the Bank ladder matches will be enough to garner huge interest for this event. At the time of writing, there are six matches announced for this show. If you’re a regular reader of this column then you know the drill by now. Let’s have a deep dive into the matches.

Note: Predictions are purely that, predictions. Nobody at SteelChair has heard of anything ahead of time, we promise.

United States Championship Match
Theory (c) vs. Bobby Lashley

As mentioned above, there is no World Championship match on this card. In that absence, Theory is the only man scheduled to appear with a singles title. This is one hell of an opportunity for the young Theory to prove that he deserves to be the face of WWE moving forward. It’s no secret that Theory seems to be the latest handpicked chosen one by Mr McMahon. Even while there may be question marks circling like buzzards around the future of McMahon’s future in the company, make no mistake that the Golden Boy is still golden. Likewise, parallels are there to be drawn between Theory and the early career of John Cena. The fact that these two crossed paths – although briefly – on the most recent episode of RAW.

Then there’s the All Might Bobby Lashley. After finally vanquishing his foe, Omos, as well as former friend, MVP, Lashley made it clear that he’s looking to put Championship gold around his waist again. However, there’s a bit of a queue forming for a chance to challenge Roman Reigns (Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre appear to be next in line), so Lashley is pursuing another title for the time being. The United States Championship has previously been around Lashley’s waist twice before. With the power of his Hurt Lock and thunderous Spear, the All-Mighty one certainly has the ability to make the third time a charm. Does he have Theory all figured out?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Theory – if Theory is to face Cena at SummerSlam, it should be for the US title

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Bobby Lashley, Theory has a Rendez-Vous with John Cena at SummerSlam

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship – The Street Profits Choose The Stipulation
The Usos (c) vs. The Street Profits

For the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, the view from the top has never looked sweeter. If you ask them, there isn’t a team in WWE who can beat them. Cue The Street Profits, who proved them wrong by defeating The Usos in a Championship Contender’s Match on the June 6 edition of RAW to set up this high-stakes tandem showdown.

At WWE Money in the Bank, The Street Profits will finally get to challenge for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships and hope to knock down The Usos a peg or two in the process. The Usos have been on an absolute tear since becoming champions, overcoming the best that SmackDown has to offer in recent weeks, including a close battle with Shinsuke Nakamura and Riddle. The Usos have had their mettle tested, however, with a strong showing by Riddle nearly costing them the gold. Were it not for the “Honorary Uce” Sami Zayn, The Usos might have suffered a different result.

During the June 27 episode of RAW, Montez Ford defeated Jey Uso to earn the Street Profits the right to choose the stipulation for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match, which will give them an advantage. Even though Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford would do well to enjoy another tag team championship reign this year, The Bloodline’s reign of dominance isn’t meant to end anytime soon.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: The Usos

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: The Usos

RAW Women’s Championship Match
Bianca Belair (c) vs Carmella

While Carmella was the first-ever Miss Money in the Bank, cemented by the fact she ‘won’ two ladder matches in the same week in 2017, although she hasn’t been successful in that match since the departure of James Ellsworth. While Carmella has been one-half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions (remember those?) it’s been a long time since we’ve seen, the self-proclaimed, most beautiful woman in all of WWE with singles gold. Saturday night in Nevada will be the time that Mella hopes to change that.

But standing in her way is Bianca Belair. The EST of WWE is not an easy woman to dethrone, just ask her previous opponents. Since capturing the RAW Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 38, Belair has successfully defended her title against Sonya Deville, Asuka and Becky Lynch – the latter of the two were in a triple threat match at Hell in a Cell. There’s no doubt that Belair is the real deal right now, and she can certainly put this match away with one KOD. But let’s not forget that Carmella has her biggest fan, her husband, Corey Graves sat at ringside. Could the RAW commentator play a role in the ending of this one?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Bianca Belair

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Bianca Belair – If Rhea Ripley was not injured and able to compete, I’m sure she would have been the challenger and won the title.

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
Ronda Rousey (c) vs Natalya

Best friends always make for better enemies. And they also tend to produce the best matches, as evidenced by the wars Shawn Michaels has had with his closest buddies Kevin Nash and Triple H. At one point, Ronda Rousey and Natalya were attached at the hip. Natalya even had a hand in helping Ronda get ready for her in-ring WWE debut, so it will be a classic showdown of “Rowdy” vs. Hart when Ronda Rousey battles Natalya for the SmackDown Women’s Title.

After claiming her first-ever SmackDown Women’s Title by making Charlotte Flair say “I Quit!” at WrestleMania Backlash, Rousey returned to the blue brand ready to again prove herself a fighting champion. Although Raquel Rodriguez took The Baddest Woman on the Planet to the limit in an Open Challenge showdown weeks earlier, Natalya stole the win over Rodriguez as well as Shotzi, Aliyah, Xia Li and even her alley Shayna Baszler in a Six-Pack Challenge to earn the right to challenge The Rowdy One. Now that the highly-anticipated showdown pitting Rousey against The B.O.A.T. has been established, which submission specialist will prevail?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Ronda Rousey

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Ronda Rousey

Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Riddle vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus vs. Sami Zayn vs. Omos vs. Madcap Moss

Always a difficult match to call as there are so many opponents involved and too many unpredictable elements to consider. Over the last three years, we’ve seen Big E, The Miz and Brock Lesnar successfully cash in their Money in the Bank contracts and become Champion. At a time when Roman Reigns has a stranglehold on the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, there might never be a time when the Money in the Bank contract is as valuable as it is right now, and everybody in this match will be aware of that.

Take someone like Riddle, for example, who previously lost in his title shot against Reigns, under the stipulation that he’s never allowed to challenge the Tribal Chief again. Winning the contract could be the loophole Riddle needs for another chance at glory. Seth Rollins and Sheamus will the favourites here, as two men who have previously won this match. We know they have what it takes to get the job done and they also have the hunger to be successful again. Then there’s Drew McIntyre who has already called out the Tribal Chief in recent weeks. With the forthcoming Clash at the Castle, the first UK Premium Live Event in twenty years, you just know that McIntyre would love to become a World Champion again and win it on ‘home’ soil. Is the Money in the Bank contract his path to making that dream a reality?

We can’t forget about Omos either. The Nigerian Giant may be entering this match for the first time and it’s too early to tell if that would be an advantage or disadvantage. With his sheer height alone he may not even need the use of a ladder to reach the briefcase. Madcap Moss grabbed the final spot in this match. Much like his former mentor, Happy Corbin, he won the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal this year. Moss will be hoping to emulate Corbin when it comes to Money in the Bank too. Then, of course, there’s the weasel, Sami Zayn. The man is determined to be a member of the Bloodline. Does he have a trick up his sleeve that would ensure he takes the briefcase home?

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Drew McIntyre

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Cody’s injury obviously changed the match’s stakes. The addition of Madcap Moss is not changing anything but Kevin Owens not being in the match is a problem for me because more than a potential winner. But who to choose? Omos would be an interesting choice… Sheamus too, Drew too… Ok, I won’t say Obi-Wan Kenobi (a French classic…) but Brock Lesnar…

Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Liv Morgan vs. Shotzi vs. Becky Lynch vs. Lacey Evans vs. Raquel Rodriguez 

The competition is heating up for the explosive 2022 Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, as 7 elite female Superstars will fight through the chaos in a career-altering showdown in the hopes of climbing the ladder and seizing the prized Money in the Bank briefcase, which guarantees the winner a World Championship opportunity whenever and wherever they want.

Lacey Evans heroically returned to SmackDown to overcome Xia Li with the earth-shattering Women’s Right to become the first Superstar to qualify for the matchup during the June 10 edition of SmackDown. On the following Monday on RAW, Alexa Bliss & Liv Morgan overcame Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. to also qualify for the high-stakes matchup. Blue brand newcomer Raquel Rodriguez followed that up with an earth-shattering victory over Shayna Baszler to become the fourth competitor in the chaotic clash.

Asuka then joined the high-stakes free-for-all with a victory over an irate Becky Lynch. Shotzi would be the next competitor to claim her place following an impressive win over Tamina on the blue brand. On the June 27 edition of RAW, Becky Lynch outbattled Doudrop, Nikki A.S.H., Tamina, Xia Li and Shayna Baszler in an Elimination Match to earn the final spot in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

It’s always refreshing to see some new faces sprout up and, this year, the first-timers come in the form of Lacey Evans, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Shotzi. This is one of those MITB matches where it’s clear as day that a newcomer is going to earn themselves the career-making win they deserve. So who will that newbie be? Whoever she is, this match will be her moment as she’s going to claim the briefcase and enjoy her moment in the sun on the road to cashing in for a Women’s championship match.

Danny Cause’s Prediction: Liv Morgan – it’s time.

Steph Franchomme’s Prediction: Raquel Gonzalez if Blue, Liv Morgan if Red

All pics and videos courtesy of WWE 

By Danny Cause

Wrestling fan and nerd of almost twenty years. Outside of wrestling, Danny enjoys writing and reading, to excess, TV shows, movies as well Manchester United and the Minnesota Vikings (for his sins).

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