WWE: Money in the Bank Preview

Daniel Bryan: favourite for the MITB match

In the WWE, there have been very few PPVs which have captured the imagination of the fans. Starting from WrestleMania about three decades ago, to the Royal Rumble because of its innovative ideas to Survivor Series because of the controversial nature surrounding Survivor Series ’97, there have been very few PPVs, which have given the fans that ‘special feeling’.

When Money in the Bank concept was made into a PPV rather than a special attraction match at WrestleMania, people thought the concept would never work. But in 2011, all of that changed, as Money in the Bank PPV was seen as a night where new stars are made, and the superstars get to change the landscape of the organization. That has made the Money in the Bank PPV, one of the most anticipated PPVs in the calendar year.

This year will be no different, as for the very first time in Money in the Bank history, the RAW ladder match includes all faces (good guys), while the Smackdown! Money in the Bank ladder match includes all heels (bad guys). Daniel Bryan is the odds-on favourite to win the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE title, while Dean Ambrose is rumoured to win the ladder match for the World Heavyweight Championship. One thing is for sure; come Sunday, the landscape of the WWE will change, as CM Punk and Daniel Bryan look to win the briefcase that made them stars in the WWE, while a returning Rob Van Dam would want to refresh the memories of the fans who haven’t seen him in quite a while.

To start things off, Cena and Mark Henry are involved in a feud (Yes, we’re going back in time) but only this time, WWE found a way to make us care about it. Mark Henry delivered what can only be described as an Academy Award winning performance, convincing everyone (for real!) that he would be retiring from the WWE. When Cena gave the WWE belt to Henry after such an accomplished career, that’s when Henry wanted “one more run” as the world champion. Henry won the ECW and the world title, but hasn’t won the WWE title. That’s what prompted Mark Henry to turn on the fans and his family, to get the biggest prize in this business. Come Sunday, Henry will put it all on the line against John Cena to win the one title that has eluded him.

Alberto Del Rio won the World Heavyweight Championship last month at the Payback PPV, after a groggy Dolph Ziggler was unable to perform, but didn’t let the referee and the trainers stop the match. While Ziggler showed the results of the concussion he suffered, Del Rio showed no remorse and took complete advantage of it, winning the World Heavyweight Championship back after Ziggler pinned him the night after WrestleMania. With things getting personal, and Ricardo out of the way due to a Wellness violation, Dolph Ziggler would be looking for redemption as he goes one on one with the Mexican warrior. Will Ziggler be able to win the title back? Or will Del Rio find a way to retain the title? We’ll get the answer this Sunday.

The Shield had one of the best runs in the business, but all of it is coming to a screeching halt. With the members showing vulnerability for the first time since their swashbuckling debut on the main roster, The Shield will try everything within their power to retain the tag titles as they face the resurgent Usos, who have gone back to their roots and tradition to help them win the gold that has eluded them till now. With Usos having beaten The Shield as a trio before, one cannot deny the possibility of Shield losing at the PPV.

Chris Jericho

Ryback has been on a losing streak since his defeat at the hands of John Cena at Payback. The monster would be looking to turn his fortunes around as he faces one of the greatest performers in the history of the WWE, Chris Jericho. This week, Jericho defeated the Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, handing him his first defeat since he was repackaged and teamed up with Paul Heyman. With Jericho on a roll, will he find a way to put down Ryback? Or will Ryback find his ‘hunger’ back and beat Chris Jericho at the PPV? One cannot deny the fact that a win over the veteran would help Ryback go a long way to get back into the main event scene.

The Divas division has taken a turn for the better with AJ becoming the Divas champion. The division has become a lot more interesting, as the feud between Kaitlyn and AJ intensifies. This Sunday, the wily AJ would look to get one over her former best friend, while Kaitlyn would be looking for some payback. Also, the Intercontinental champion Curtis Axel was handed his first defeat in months, as Chris Jericho defeated Axel this past week on RAW, as Axel was distracted by the Miz. Will Curtis get the last laugh when he takes on Miz this Sunday? Or will the former WWE champion find his way back into the title contention by winning the prestigious Intercontinental title? One thing is for sure; the Money in the Bank PPV has all the tools to become one of the most exciting PPVs in recent memory, and you simply cannot miss all the action come Sunday!