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WWE Money In The Bank 2021 had a lot of anticipation heading in as the first pay-per-view back on the road with fans in attendance since WrestleMania 37. The WWE Universe was ready to have a fun evening and it can't be denied that the company more than delivered.
The show was centered around two Money In The Bank Ladder matches as well as the two top titles being up for grabs. There were three additional titles on the line, making for a pay-per-view with a lot at stake.
With rumors of WWE wanting to deliver surprises to get fans engaged as we head on the road to Summerslam, this was an event that would be incredibly important.
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It is almost inarguable that WWE had to hit this pay-per-view out of the park. With a night of fun action and an all-time great closing angle, the promotion did just that in a huge way. In this article, let's take a look at the five biggest takeaways from WWE Money In The Bank 2021.
#5. Nikki Cross: Almost A Superhero In The Bank (WWE Money In The Bank 2021)
Heading into WWE Money In The Bank 2021, Nikki A.S.H. started a brand new "almost a superhero" persona. She has picked up momentum through a series of wins, including beating Shayna Baszler and Asuka in recent weeks. Nikki was one of the odds-on favorites to win the Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.
The contest delivered some good action and solid spots to keep the hot Fort Worth crowd invested. Naomi looked strong and was extremely popular with the fans. Zelina Vega, Natalya and Asuka were all impressive in their own ways, while Tamina played her role as the strongest in the bout. Liv Morgan was the fan favorite in this one and had a good performance, teasing victory many times.
Alexa Bliss was the most polarizing of the performers here. Her hypnotizing of her opponents didn't go over too well, but she was kept strong in the end here. Despite Nikki A.S.H. not being highlighted too much, she took advantage of a 6-way battle to grab the briefcase and snuck in to win the Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.
Nikki A.S.H. has long been one of the most underutilized women's wrestlers on the roster. Becoming Miss Money In The Bank is a significant moment in her career. Her new character has revitalized her and jolted her to her biggest win here. It is always nice to see someone new being given an opportunity. This booking should keep the fans on her side straight to her first women's championship.
#4. Bobby Lashley becomes the destroyer AGAIN! (WWE Money In The Bank 2021)
The buildup to WWE Money In The Bank 2021 saw the All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley go through a crisis of confidence. Due to losses in singles competition to the New Day and the words of Kofi Kingston, Lashley felt that he had gotten soft. He feared he had lost the hunger that led to him becoming champion in the first place.
After a great promo to close WWE Raw, Bobby Lashley came out with fierce aggression. Kofi Kingston scored some brief offense at the start, but this became complete and utter domination. Lashley beat Kingston from pillar to post. Fans witnessed a vicious spinebuster and three dominators that had to make some people cringe with the force on display.
It wasn't quite the seven-second loss that Kofi Kingston took to Brock Lesnar to lose the WWE Championship two years ago, but this was pretty close and a lot longer. Lashley mercifully ended the contest with the Hurt Lock. Lashley retained the WWE Championship in his most impressive performance yet at WWE Money In The Bank 2021.
It was the Bobby Lashley that won the WWE Championship. He was once again the destroyer that he is billed as. Fans will be upset that Kofi Kingston was treated this way in a WWE Championship Match again. However, this was exactly what it needed to be. After the story that was told in the leadup, Lashley needed to dominate and he did just that at WWE Money In The Bank 2021.
#3. Charlotte Flair proves why she is one of the greatest women's wrestlers of all time (WWE Money In The Bank 2021)
The Fort Worth crowd at WWE Money In The Bank 2021 were loud and vocal the entire evening. At the start of the Raw Women's Championship Match between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair, they showed their disproval of the buildup to this clash. Fans wanted to see Becky Lynch's return instead of the two talented women in the ring.
However, Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley overcame their booking, the lack of a natural babyface and the crowd to have a tremendous encounter. Ripley has had one of the most disjointed and lackluster call-ups to the main roster. Despite booking her to win the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania 37, WWE hasn't seemed to fully get the character of Rhea.
At WWE Money In The Bank 2021, Rhea Ripley more than showed that she is a terrific performer and in-ring worker. She hit sentons off the steel steps and moved very crisply in the ring. With all that said about Ripley, this was also Charlotte Flair in top form.
Charlotte Flair got the fans at Money In The Bank even more riled up, flipping them off. Charlotte hit a beautiful moonsault back elbow that once again showed her out of this world athleticism. Flair also hit the top rope Natural Selection for an awesome nearfall. Her facial expressions and body language following this were incredible.
Flair followed up by battering Rhea Ripley's leg, trapping it in the steel steps and smashing it a few times. She then got in the ring and locked it in the Figure 8 to make Rhea tap out. This was Charlotte's 14th world championship win, continuing her lofty legacy here at WWE Money In The Bank 2021.
Charlotte Flair has always been a polarizing figure in wrestling. Even with her undeniable talent, fans have become bitter about her booking. She is always in the title picture or champion despite the fact that she doesn't really need to be. With all that said, this was Charlotte's best match in almost a year and definitely Rhea Ripley's best main roster matchup.
#2. Big E becomes Mr. Money In The Bank in the biggest win of his career (WWE Money In The Bank 2021)
The Men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match was one of the most star studded lineups in the history of the stipulation. Seth Rollins is a former Mr. Money In The Bank and one of the most decorated superstars in WWE today. Drew McIntyre is a former two-time WWE Champion, while Kevin Owens is a former Universal Champion.
The other competitors consisted of some of the most skilled performers in WWE today in Ricochet, John Morrison and Shinsuke Nakamura. There were also two huge fan favorites in Riddle and Big E. The hype was palpable heading into WWE Money In The Bank 2021. These eight superstars more than lived up to the expectations heading in.
Drew McIntyre brought in this one with a tope to the outside as well as displaying his power in sick spots like his reverse Alabama Slam on Ricochet into a ladder. He was taken out of the Men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match by Jinder Mahal and his enforcers. Kevin Owens once again delivered in this format, putting his body on the line and taking the biggest bump of the contest.
Shinsuke Nakamura was briefly highlighted with Kinshasas and a cool Go To Sleep. Riddle had a quick comeback segment where he hit RKOs on his opponents. Ricochet hit a crazy springboard flip dive to the floor after being pushed off a ladder in spectacular fashion.
John Morrison was right at home in this stipulation as well. He hit a 450 elbow drop and used his parkour style in innovative ways. Seth Rollins aligned with Morrison at certain points and was a disruptor for the many babyfaces in this match. Rollins was on the brink of victory when Big E swept in and hit a Big Ending off a ladder before climbing to retrieve the briefcase.
Big E became the first African American Money In The Bank Ladder Match winner. The reception from the Fort Worth crowd showed that WWE made the right decision here. Big E has felt like he has been on the cusp of greatness for years. This victory was validation and hopefully means that he will become a world champion. It was a fantastic match with the perfect winner.
#1. John Cena gets an all-time great pop to set up an epic Summerslam main event w/Roman Reigns (WWE Money In The Bank 2021)
The WWE Money In The Bank 2021 main event saw Universal Champion Roman Reigns successfully retain his title against Edge in a brilliant encounter with help from Seth Rollins. Following the contest, Reigns got on the mic and said "the whole world can acknowledge me". It felt like Roman had taken down his last challenge, but that didn't last long.
John Cena's then hit and the roof blew off the arena. It was an earth-shatteringly massive pop for the former 16-time world champion. John Cena hasn't been seen since WrestleMania 36 when he lost to The Fiend Bray Wyatt in the Firefly Funhouse Match.
There had been rumors of his return ahead of Summerslam, but this became an amazing scene to watch unfold. For years, WWE has tried to make John Cena a 100% supported babyface hero. Despite their best efforts, Cena has always gotten a mixed reaction. Women and kids love 'The Doctor of Thuganomics', but men have always booed him, rebelling against his placement as the end all, be all.
WWE Money In The Bank 2021 marked the first time that John Cena truly got a legends pop on the level of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and The Undertaker. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Edge got an awesome reaction on Smackdown and st Money in the Bank, but Cena's pop almost dwarfed that. It was that huge and an all-time great response.
The confrontation between John Cena and Roman Reigns was brief before WWE Money In The Bank 2021 went to black, but it does set up an epic encounter at Summerslam. 'The Tribal Chief' has felt like a superstar in his own stratosphere for a few months now. The response to Cena confirms that this is a dream match that all fans will be looking forward to.
WWE Money In The Bank 2021 will be remembered for years to come. It was the first pay-per-view back on the road with fans to mark a new era for WWE coming out of the pandemic and ThunderDome era. John Cena's return felt like the biggest moment of the night and a transformative moment. This sets the stage for a deeply compelling road to Summerslam next month.
