'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Now that WrestleMania has come and gone, the WWE has a clean slate to build towards SummerSlam. Creative usually takes a downward turn this time of year as they suffer from what's known as "WrestleMania Hangover".
If you remember last year, WrestleMania was quickly followed by "The Greatest Royal Rumble" and then "Backlash". Both shows were creative disasters. Backlash was main evented by the infamous Samoa Joe/Roman Reigns match that was so boring it caused the crowd to walk out early and started chants of "beat the traffic".
Things were looking better going into Money In The Bank last year when Braun Strowman walked out with the briefcase. WWE are kicking off Post-Mania season this year with MITB, and this leads me to wonder who will walk out of the event with the guaranteed championship match?
Trending
I assume it will be a cross-brand match like last year, with superstars from RAW and SmackDown fighting for one case.
With that said, here are my 4 predictions for this year's Money in the Bank winner.
#4 Andrade
Andrade managed to make a big impact by defeating Finn Balor on Monday night. He could be a major player on the red brand going forward. The WWE has been looking for a new South American star for years and Andrade could be just the guy to fill that spot. His in-ring ability is exceptional, he has a great look and Zelina Vega is a perfect mouthpiece for him.
A good run with the briefcase would really launch him up the card. They could have him hold onto it for a while and put him in a feud with Rey Mysterio for the summer. A heel with the briefcase is perfect for a face champion like Seth Rollins. With Andrade always there waiting to cash in, it will immediately add an extra layer to any story they tell.
#3 Finn Balor
There is no doubt that Finn Balor is a major fan favorite. He gets a solid reaction every time he steps through the curtain. Hopefully, he finds new life on SmackDown and can enter the WWE title picture.
Balor would be a good option as SmackDown's top heel. I don't think Roman Reigns will be a heel any time soon and Kevin Owens is really over as a face at the moment. Gallows and Anderson are still on SmackDown (for the time being), so a Balor Club reunion could be on the cards. A short run as a faction could really boost Balor's popularity and sell merchandise.
Balor would be a perfect choice to have waiting in the wings with the briefcase, could you imagine the pop when eventually cashed in? He also really deserves a second run with a major championship after his first came to such an unfortunate end.
#2 Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens has been nothing short of fantastic since returning from his injury. He is so over as a face with the fans. He is such a dynamic performer and really deserves a good run with the WWE Championship.
Winning Money in the Bank would be a great step towards that. Owens has been one of the best performers in the WWE for years now. All you have to do is look at his feud with Strowman last year. He almost killed himself selling huge moves from Strowman in order to put him over. He really deserves to be in the spotlight this year.
It seems that the powers that be backstage are really fond of Owens and value him as a star. He would be fantastic as Mr. Money in the Bank as a heel or a face. Nobody would be really disappointed if Owens was the top star on SmackDown.
#1 Roman Reigns
I can't really see anybody other than Roman Reigns winning Money in the Bank this year. The WWE wants Reigns as champion again. They want to complete the inspirational story arc of Cancer Survivor to WWE Champion and I think they want to do it in the near future.
Kofi is currently the WWE Champion and I really don't think he will be champion for much longer. They need a strong heel to take that title away from Kofi, and they seem to be determined to keep Roman as a face.
If WWE is smart about this, they will have Roman cash in on the heel that beats Kofi. That seems like the best way to get a Roman Reigns title win cheered and not booed again.
I don't think many people will like Roman being shoe-horned into the title picture again, and he may end up getting a negative reaction.
