Full Money in the Bank card and predictions

This year’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view is just two days away, and it’s got some big shoes to fill. Last year’s event was considered one of the best shows of the year, and while this year’s card has a lot to live up to, it’s stacked just enough that it could topple the amazing show that took place in Chicago, IL in 2011. Currently, only five matches have been announced, but they are some pretty heavy duty ones.

Pre-show match (available on WWE.com): WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. Camacho and Hunico (non-title)

I feel kind of bad for the heel team here. Since the Sin Cara vs. Sin Cara feud ended last year, Hunico has been more or less fodder for up-and-comers like Ryback or more established stars like Brodus Clay. Same with Camacho, despite being the son of one of the toughest men in the history of pro wrestling, Tonga Fifita, better known to fans as Haku or Meng. I’m not expecting much here, but hopefully the heel team can put in a good enough performance that they are pushed more and considered contenders for the tag titles down the road. Kofi and Truth are taking this one.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match for a shot at the World Championship: Christian vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Santino Marella vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow vs. Sin Cara vs. Tensai vs. Dolph Ziggler

I really like this match, as it features a lot of young, hungry talent just chomping at the bit to get noticed. Expect a lot of high-flying here with plenty of dangerous ladder spots. Ziggler seems to be the front-runner to win this match, but rumor has it Cody Rhodes may take it as well. Regardless, I’m picking Ziggler as the winner, with Damien Sandow as a dark horse. The up-and-comer is one of the most over heels in the company right now, and winning the briefcase could instantly make him the most hated man on Smackdown! Although Tyson Kidd will not win, WWE seems to have serious interest in a renewed push for the last survivor of the Hart Dungeon, and you should fully expect him to do everything he can to steal the show here.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match for a shot at the WWE Championship: The Big Show vs. John Cena vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane

I’m not as interested in this match, as it seems far too predictable. Rumor has it that Cena is going to be facing WWE Champion CM Punk at Summerslam in a rematch from last year, so it seems like a foregone conclusion that Cena is taking his first MITB ladder match. At the same time, WWE tends to like to switch things at the last minute just to trick fans if something seems too predictable, and that could certainly happen here. There was a rumor that Big Show was going to be facing Punk for the belt later this year, so there’s a very strong chance he could win it as well. I’m still going with Cena as my official pick, but don’t be surprised if Show somehow pulls this one out.

WWE Championship – AJ will be the special referee: Daniel Bryan vs. Champion CM Punk

While the 8-man ladder match should be excellent, expect these two to completely steal the show. Bryan and Punk have been tearing into each other for several months now, and Punk has always stood victorious, albeit barely in some cases. These two are so familiar with each other that, with each match, they try their hardest to come up with something new and exciting, and they have yet to disappoint. Punk will likely take the match here (which should go at least 20 minutes, if not more), but WWE seems to have a lot of interest in putting the strap on Bryan, as they were originally intending to do so at both Over the Limit and No Way Out. While I still fully expect Punk to retain and move onto Summerslam against John Cena, if Bryan does somehow walk away with the title, don’t be surprised. Not sure how exactly AJ will factor herself into the match outside of her referee position, but I do imagine she’ll play a vital role in the match result. AJ is one of the best things to come along in WWE in a very long time. WWE knows this, and they’re going to continue to push her as the loveable nutcase.

World Championship: Alberto Del Rio vs. Champion Sheamus

As I said in a previous article, this match was supposed to happen twice at previous pay-per-view events, and now it will now finally happen. This one is a little bit harder to predict, as both men have been on a big time role lately. Rumors are that WWE wants to keep the belt on Sheamus for quite a while, but there are also rumors of ADR winning the strap before year’s end. I’m going with Sheamus to retain, with ADR possibly getting the strap in a rematch at Summerslam.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, you should also probably expect a Ryback squash to take place at the PPV, as well as at possibly one other undercard match.