5 Takeaways from Money in the Bank 2018
This is my series, simply known as "5 Takeaways", where I will share my personal main talking points coming out of Raw and SmackdownLive.
This is a pay-per-view edition, so we will be discussing my top 5 takeaways from the Money in the Bank show.
These are all my opinion, so I may miss a nugget or two. If you have something to add to my list, or a list of your own, feel free to share in the comment section below!
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Rollins Puts the Drifter Away
In somewhat of a surprise result (at least to me), Seth Rollins defeated Elias and retained his Intercontinental championship. The finish was absolutely out of left field, as Rollins won with a roll up, using the tights for leverage.
This route to victory is out of character for the Architect, as he prides himself on being the better wrestler in any given matchup. One has to wonder if Constable Corbin will have something to say about this tonight on Raw, possibly making a rematch for the title.
AJ Retains Again
In what feels like the tenth match between the two, AJ Styles defeated Shinsuke Nakamura on pay-per-view once more. In what was undoubtedly the best match between the pair, Styles put the Rockstar away with a Styles Clash on the outside, Nakamura's own patented low blow, and a Phenomenal forearm through the announce table.
I think Styles will move on to feud with either Samoa Joe or Daniel Bryan, while his former rival possibly challenges Jeff Hardy for the United States title.
Carmella Wins... With A Special Assist
In a moment that was memorable for both the immediate impact and Asuka's ridiculous reaction, the immortal James Ellsworth made his iconic return to the astounding cheers of the Chicago crowd (absolutely zero sarcasm in that, whatsoever...)!
Dressing up as Asuka, the returning legend provided the distraction Carmella needed... twice. The first time resulted in the Empress of Tomorrow escaping a roll up, just to return to staring in awe of her apparent reflection. That second one did her in, losing her the match.
It's going to be very interesting to see where this Carmella/Ellsworth reuniting angle leads, while I worry we're witnessing the downward spiral of Asuka, as I feared in a previous article.
Strowman is the "Monster in the Bank"
The term "mixed bag" has been overused throughout the years, yet can be applied to the outcome of the men's Money in the Bank match as well. The match was great, with plenty of carnage and destruction throughout (including an insane spot where Kevin Owens was thrown off a ladder by Strowman through some tables). The Monster Among Men was one of those choices to win that seemed too obvious to actually happen, but it did.
Personally, I'd rather have seen Owens or Samoa Joe get the win, but at least it wasn't Bobby Roode. I'm thinking Strowman will announce his cash-in in advance, and set a date with Brock Lesnar, where hopefully we'll see the inaugural crowning of a new monster.
Oh crap, and we'll also have to hear "Monster in the Bank" 20 times a week (that's not an exaggeration).
Do you like Strowman winning the briefcase?
Alexa Bliss Wins the Briefcase... And the Title
Quite unexpected results for the two other women's matches in the night as well, Alexa Bliss snuck away with the briefcase after a fantastic, hard-hitting bout featuring plenty of painful-looking ladder spots, and lots of fast paced action.
With the Women's championship match taking place as the penultimate showdown on the card, there was a feeling something would happen, and it did. Bliss made her way to the ring and clocked both Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax with the briefcase (she hit Rousey first, so the UFC hall-of-famer technically won the match), before officially cashing in. After a hard DDT and a Twisted Bliss, Ms. Money in the Bank became the new Women's Champion.
This is a great move for her character, further portraying her as sneaky and opportunistic. The potential feud between Bliss and Rousey has great entertainment written all over it.
