The Rise of The Money In The Bank PPV

"The Rise of The Money In The Bank PPV"

In 2005 the WWE was short on entertainment and even shorter on Superstar talent, the biggest show of the year had begun to become stale. In efforts to spice up Wrestlemania, the creative team came up with the Money In the Bank concept. This would pit multiple WWE Superstars up against each other, fighting for a brief Case which held a contract that could be cashed in at anytime for up to a year for the Heavyweight Championship. For the next 5 years the match would be one of the two matches which stole the show each year, it would create intrigue and fresh storylines until it was ultimately cashed in. 

By the time 2010 rolled around, the Money In The Bank Match was one of the most looked forward to matches and WWE decided it was time to give it its own Pay Per View. This might have been the smartest move that WWE made in the past 10 years. As a result something funny started to happened, MITB quietly moved to become an equal to the Royal Rumble. It’s a match that creates stars while pushing them to the forefront of the WWE Universe.

This past Sunday was no different, With Dean Ambrose stealing the show and winning the MITB Briefcase it elevated another star and by the end of the night we had a New WWE Champion. Finally the fans have what they really want, a Ambrose Championship reign. 

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Monday Night Raw April 25, 2016

Monday Night Raw April 25, 2016

The show starts how it should, with the In Memory of Joanie Laurer “Chyna”. While I do believe that she should have been put in the Hall of Fame years ago, she clearly had her own demons that stood in her way. This was a one of a kind woman, the 9^th wonder of the world. She could stand toe to toe with damn near anyone in the business in that ring. She was a Women’s champion, a Royal Rumble participant and an Intercontinental Champion. She will be remembered and missed by all who were fans of the Attitude era.

Shane McMahon is first out to start things off for Raw, it appears he is in charge of Raw once again. Shane promises that things are going to keep going in this new era, but this is WWE. It doesn’t take long for Stephanie McMahon’s music to hit and for her to come out. Stephanie announces that this will be Shane’s last night running Monday Night Raw. At Payback Vince will decide who will be running Monday Night Raw moving forward. After Shane politely asks Stephanie to leave and she refuses, Shane asks for security to escort Stephanie out of “our ring”. The crowd gets a good na na na na na heh heh heh goodbye going. Poor security though, one of them takes hard slap to the face in the process.

Shane kicks off the action for the night announcing the first match is AJ Styles up against Sheamus. This match was a great start to the show, for a moment it looks like Styles is going to tap out, but AJ is able to connect with the Phenomenal Forearm and get the victory of Sheamus. As AJ Styles is celebrating is his friends Luke Gallows and Carl Anderson make an appearance on the stage. It cuts to the back where Roman Reigns is watching, him and the Uso’s establish, as if we didn’t know, that they got each other’s backs.

New Day Rocks!!! New Day Rocks!!! New Day Rocks!!! It feels like its been a while since we have gotten some quality time with the New Day on the mics, but no worries they are hear to talk about the tag tournament, also, nice ode to Prince thrown in there, kudos on that. The Vaudevillian’s and Enzo and Big Cass make their way out to the ring as well to put in their two cents.  While the Villain’s and Enzo and Cass go back and forth seeing the New Day in the background is great! I’m really excited for this match at payback to find out who will be the number 1 contenders.

Finally, the ring debut of Luke Gallows and Carl Anderson as they face the Uso’s. I’m super excited for this match. While the Uso’s fast pace offence keeps the Uso’s on top for a while, Gallows and Anderson brut force quickly turns things around as they target Jay Uso’s injured shoulder. It looks like Jimmy is going to be able to turn things around when he gets tagged in, but Anderson and Gallows win the match and continue the assault after the match until Roman Reigns comes out and takes care of business.

While Renee is trying to interview AJ Styles, Gallows and Anderson interrupt saying they want a moment with their friend. They adamantly state that they will not get in his way for his opportunity at the title and that they have his back to make sure the Uso’s don’t get in the way either.

After a very nice video package for the Sami Zayn versus Kevin Owens match at payback, Zayn goes up against Rusev. After a hard faught match Zayn pulls off the win with a roll up on Rusev, and a not so happy Lana throws her shoes at Zayn. This is good momentum for Zayn going into payback, but Kevin Owens attacks Zayne from behind to send a message of his own.

Dean Ambrose is in the ring, he expresses that there is no Ambrose Asylum this week because he isn’t in a good mood after Jericho attacking him after his match on Smackdown. Ambrose invites Jericho out to the ring, Ambrose is ready to get this fight started now rather than wait for Sunday at Payback. Side note, whenever Jericho says idiot, I automatically smile. I don’t know why, it just makes me laugh. Jericho takes some time and tells Ambrose that Ambrose should thank him for even getting in a match. Then tells Ambrose he should apologize to him for disrespecting and for stealing the Highlight reel. Ambrose apologizes, but not for what Jericho wants him to apologize for. Ambrose quickly attacks, punching Jericho and throwing him to the out side, Jericho takes advantage though and ends up getting Ambrose in the Walls of Jericho on top of the announce table.

AJ Styles approaches Roman Reigns as he heads to the ring for is match and lets him know at Payback he is taking the Title. Reigns made one statement, that Styles must have already bought ring side tickets for Anderson and Gallows.

Main even for the night is WWE World Heavy Weight Champion Roman Reigns versus Alberto Del Rio. Even with Del Rio having control of most of the match, Reigns is able to pull out a superman punch to get control. Queue Gallows and Anderson’s music, even with the distraction though, Reigns is able to pull off a spear and get the win. Gallows and Anderson attack Reigns, Styles comes out to stop them and is thanked with a superman punch, but while Reigns is dealing with the other too, Styles pulls off a Phenomenal Forearm to put Reigns down. Things will be interesting on Sunday that is for sure.

Final thoughts for this Raw, while I’m sure there was something on the regular 3 hour raw, it sucks that there wasn’t anything on the Hulu 90 minute version for the women’s division. They have been so hot and to leave them off the show completely really puts the breaks on their momentum. 

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Monday Night Raw April 18, 2016

Monday Night Raw April 18, 2016

Starting the show we have the new talk show The Ambrose Asylum with Dean Ambrose. After some cheesy talk show fun in front of a hot London crowd, Ambrose introduces his first guest and it is none other than Shane McMahon. Shane gets some time to talk about his goals are for WWE and what he wants out of his return, but things come to a halt when Kevin Owens comes out. Owens has a few things to say to Shane about his former best friend Sami Zayn and about how he feels Shane treats him. Not wanting to be talked about with out giving his two cents, Sami comes out to make some statements of his own. It is short lived though as Jericho makes his way out to the ring. Things are getting a little crowded here on The Ambrose Asylum. Things quickly get heated and Shane McMahon makes two matches for Payback. First it will be Dean Ambrose versus Chris Jericho and Sami Zayn versus Kevin Owens at Payback.

Because of how things geared up during the Ambrose Asylum, Shane also made to matches for Raw, kicking off the action is Chris Jericho versus Sami Zayn.  Both guys hit some of their bigger moves. Jericho, though, took a page out of Flair’s book and delivered a thumb to Zane’s eye, with Zane disorientated Jericho was able to hit a code breaker and get the victory.

We get a brief introduction for Carl Anderson and Luke Gallows from AJ Styles. Bullet Club fans eat your hearts out. Oh the possibilities in the future!

Tag Team Tournament time, first out is the new best talkers on the main roster Enzo and Big Cass! They spelled it out for ya again while talking about the Dudley’s Boys. Enzo’s eccentric ways come to light during the match, which is refreshing to see up on the main roster. The Dudley’s clearly were not fans of what was said about them before the match and they take that out on Enzo for a good portion of the match. After Enzo gets the tag to Cass though, the match takes off for them as they beat the Dudley’s with the rocket launcher.

Oh man, no love for Roman Reigns as he makes his way to the ring, Well there were some cheers but it is hard to hear of all the boo’s. Haters are gonna hate. At this point it’s comical, embracing it is the best course of action. Reigns lays it out there that any one that wants to challenge him is going to get punched in the mouth. AJ Styles comes out to the joy of much of the audience. After some talking between them, Roman states he would “rather be respected with the title than liked without it.” AJ responded with “I would rather be liked and respected because that makes me phenomenal.” After that he leaves the ring smiling as he walks up the ramp. As Reigns watches in the ring he is attacked from behind by Carl Anderson and Luke Gallows, they leave Reigns laying in the ring as they walk up the towards what appears to be a not to happy looking AJ Styles.

AJ approaches Roman Reigns back stage after to try to explain that he didn’t know that was going to happen. Reigns isn’t convinced though, not after they attacked his cousins the Uso’s last week and him this week.  Roman states that it doesn’t mater though, at Payback AJ can bring all of his friends, it will be one versus all.

Before we get into the Women’s match Charlotte has an interview that is interrupted by Natalia. Natalia announces that she gets a rematch at Payback and her Uncle Bret Hart will be in her corner.

That leads into an 8 women tag match between Natalia, Becky Lynch, Paige and Sasha Banks versus Team Bad with Naomi and Tamina along with Summer Rae and Charlotte. Honestly woman’s wrestling is so hot right now it WWE. It is also nice to see Tamina get a chance to show her strengths rather than being on the outside. Several women actually get to show some moves off in this match, which is nice to see. Not gonna lie, I love Naomi’s shoes, you could make a drinking game out of how many times they change colors during a match. Natalia gets the win with the sharp shooter on Charlotte in the end and gets the win for the team of Natalia, Becky Lynch, Paige and Sasha Banks.

The next match in the semi finals of the tag tournament is the Vaudevillians up against the Uso’s. I don’t think I will ever get tired of the Vaudevillians entrance, but it could be the old school slap stick comedy fan in me. It’s a pretty short match but it flows well and works for what they were doing. The Vaudvillans pull out the win and go up against Enzo and Big Cass at Payback to see who will be the #1 contender’s for the Tag Team Titles.

Main Event for the night is Dean Ambrose versus Kevin Owens.  They are both hitting hard and in your face from the start, but Ambrose’s unique offense has him getting the upper hand. They go back and forth in true Owen/Ambrose fashion, but that frog splash Owens delivers on Ambrose from the apron to the floor out side looked brutal. The crowd is chanting pretty much through this entire match for both guys.  Ambrose wins the match after nailing Dirty Deeds on Owens. While Ambrose is celebrating his victory, when he turns around he is nailed with a code breaker from out of nowhere. The show goes off the air with Chris Jericho looking down at Ambrose lying before him.

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Monday Night Raw April 11, 2016

Monday Night Raw April 11, 2016

Shane McMahon is kicking off the show, like last week, he is in charge of Raw for the second week in a row. Shane, promising some new match ups, he states a few matches that are going to take place during the show. This is WWE though, it wouldn’t be if someone didn’t get interrupted. Queue the music, after announcing that Sami Zayn is going to get an opportunity in a match against AJ Styles, Kevin Owens music starts. Of course Kevin Owens believes he deserves an opportunity at the IC Title. Shane makes a match between Kevin Owens and Cesaro to see who will go up against the Miz for the IC Title.

Cesaro versus Kevin Owens for number one contender for the IC Title is the first match of the night. Both guys do a great job show boating and reacting with the crowd. This is where Kevin Owens shines, doing things like saying he is the headlock master and in frustration hitting the announcers table, then after picking up JBL’s hat to put it back. The crowd, wither they are cheering or booing him, is laughing and reacting to whatever Owens does. Both Cesaro and Owens have the crowd eating out of their hands, but Cesaro gets the win in the end.

Now I’m not the biggest of Dr. Phil fans, but that segment with Flair and Charlotte was pretty funny. Nothing like a little advise to stop letting your dad bring you down to his level. Dr. Phil didn’t miss a beat, I dare say he made Charlotte hesitate for a moment. Outside of that though, who does Dr. Phil think he is? Wooing at Flair, ridiculous.

Now Owens is complaining to Shane McMahon about being screwed over again, Owens threatens to take action against Sami Zayn. Not willing to let Owens ruin another opportunity for Zayn though, Shane tells Owens he is going to be escorted out of the building to prevent him from getting involved. We will have to see if Owens goes against McMahon later in the show.

Now for some tag team action, the New Day comes out, of course, with plenty to say about their Booty O’s and the tag team tournament. The first match being the Lucha Dragons up against the Dudley Boys, unfortunately a lot of the match seems to have happened during the commercial break. When the show comes back Kalisto is hurt on the out side and Sin Cara is doing his best to keep them in it, but the Dudley’s pull off a 3-D for the win and advance in the tournament.

Roman Reigns comes out next. While talking about what could potentially be the match for the World Heavyweight Title at Payback, the League of Nations comes out and they have something to say to the champ.  It doesn’t long for the lads to rush the ring, the unexpected, no like seriously the unexpected happens. The Wyatt’s come out and work with Reigns to get the Lads out of the ring. Shane McMahon comes out and makes a tag match for later in the show, two members of the League of Nations go up against the tag team of Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt. I can honestly say I never thought I would see these two as a tag team.

Now for Charlotte’s first title defense as the Woman’s Champion up against Natalia. The match over all flowed well, but the ending didn’t go as smoothly as it should. It was a bit confusing because Charlotte tapped out, but Flair got involved so the ref didn’t see the tap. Natalia ended up winning by disqualification, but Charlotte retains her title.

Continuing the tag tournament, we have the Uso’s versus Heath Slater and Curtis Axel of the Social Outcasts. It looks like there is a chance the Social Outcasts are going to pull this off, but because of a little premature celebrating the Uso’s are able to pull off the victory and advance in the tournament. While celebrating their win though, the Uso’s are attacked by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. Man did that beat down look brutal. I’m really excited to see what this does with the tag division and also how things may or may not tie in with AJ Styles and Finn Balor.

Now for what I consider the match of the night, if not tied for match of the night. AJ Styles versus Sami Zayn to see if Zayn gets to join the match with AJ Styles and Roman Reigns at Payback. It’s rare for me to get into a face against face match, maybe I just like bad guys, who knows. Either way, both guys got great opportunities to shine. Even though AJ Styles pulls out the win, this match proved that Sami Zayn can perform for big matches. I was sad that there was no run in with Kevin Owens, it leaves us with suspense for what will happen between them.

Its time for the Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho and his guest is none other than himself Chris Jericho! After asking himself a few questions and then answering himself, Jericho gives the audience the gift of himself. Of course this is a perfect opportunity for an interruption, enter Dean Ambrose caring a potted plant and some sort of sign. Looks like Ambrose has some payback for Jericho after Jericho so rudely came out early on Smackdown. According to a “memo” Ambrose has from Shane McMahon, the Highlight reel has been cancelled and replaced with the Ambrose Asylum hosted by Ambrose himself. Ambrose being all jokes seems to get under Jericho’s skin a little and after Jericho hits Ambrose’s mic out of his hands, Ambrose his Jericho with Dirty Deeds.  I just love it when two wrestlers with good mic skills and up against each other. It is always entertaining. Also I think I would support more of the Ambrose Asylum, there is some real potential there.

Now like I said earlier I honestly never thought I would see Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt as tag partners. It is clear pretty quickly that these two are not very happy about the arrangement.  While the match was good, it was the little things that stood out. It was the moment between Wyatt and Reigns and how they coexisted together to get the win in the match. Even though Reigns has an opponent in AJ Styles for Payback, Bray Wyatt is so good at reminding everyone that the Wyatt’s are there and they are a force to watch out for.

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WWE SmackDown April 7,2016

WWE SmackDown April 7, 2016

The Champ Roman Reigns kicks off the show, surprisingly he got a much better reception then normally does. After some good sportsman ship, AJ Styles established he is coming after the WWE World Heavyweight Title even if he has to beat The Guy to get it. It was nice to see a Roman Reigns chant during the segment. With a mic drop and a pat on the shoulder, Roman established that AJ has never beaten him and never will.

The debut of NXT talent just keeps coming and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Fresh talent coming up to the main roster is going to shake things up in a good way. The debut tonight was The Vaudevillains! I still love their entrance. They take off against Lucha Dragon. These two teams are no strangers as they had matches coming up together in NXT.  After a fun back and forth The Vaudevillains get the victory over Lucha Dragon.

Next up we’ve got Summer Rae versus Natalya with Charlotte as a guest commentator. Summer got some good spots in this match and her suplex on the outside in front of Charlotte looked great, but everything Summer dished out was was no match for the sharpshooter. Summer Rae tapped out in the end.

Rematch for the Intercontinental Championship is up next, its Zack Ryder up against The Miz… and his wife Maryse?! Nice! I’m happy to see her back if it is in this valet roll with Miz. The two Ryder versus Miz matches we have had so far have been pretty good, I would really enjoy a long story play out for these two, especially if Ryder’s Dad and Maryse stay involved.

Next up, we come back and Social Outcast is sitting on the ring apron, I’m all for Social Outcast. Even more so if it means Curtis Axel gets to wrestle more, plus these four guys just make me giggle. For the match, we’ve got Apollo Crews going up against Axel and well, to be honest, the rest of the members of Social Outcast. It is still amazing to see some of the things that Apollo can pull off for a man of his size. My fingers are crossed for a bright future for this guy! Apollo gets the win over Curtis in the end.

During an interview with Renee Young Becky Lynch is interrupted by Emma. After a few short words its clear these two will have a match here soon. I am really excited to see a match between them. Both women are able to produce great matches and have done so in the past against each other in NXT.

No for someone we didn’t get to see on Monday Night Raw, Dean Ambrose! He gets a great ovation like always as he comes out to the ring to face off against Tyler Breeze.  It’s clear to see that Ambrose is in the mood for a fight as he goes right to it against Breeze. Breeze is able to get a few licks in, but Ambrose ends this pretty quickly with dirty deeds. Ambrose attitude was out during the whole match and Jericho coming out a little early didn’t help things either, the look Ambrose gave Jericho as he walked passed was priceless.

For the main even for Smackdown, it’s Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens versus Cesaro and AJ Styles. Cesaro coming out in a suit and then ripping it off is just great, embracing the Swiss Superman gimmick is fantastic! Cesaro and Styles are able to get the upper hand early on Jericho, which leads to one of Jericho’s infamous temper tampers to lead into commercial break. Jericho and Owens get control just as we come back, Owens is on point with his banter throughout this whole match, including at one point when Owens tags out to Jericho he says high five. Plus, in this match we finally get some Owens vs Styles, which is a great tease for if they do a story line between just the two of them. With a nice distraction from an angry Sami Zayn, Styles is able to get the win with a roll up on Kevin Owens. The show goes off the air after officials having to separate Owens and Zayn. I’m excited to see where this goes.

Over all Smackdown was a pretty good show. Also I liked that story lines were actually reinforced rather than a bunch of random matches thrown together. Yay for using both shows to push stories. It’ll be interesting to see how some of this plays out next wee on Monday Nigh Raw.

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