WWE’s 15th annual Money in the Bank pay-per-view proved to be one of the most chaotic yet, with Cody Rhodes suffering his first pinfall loss since becoming the undisputed WWE Champion, Tiffany Stratton and Drew McIntyre winning Money in the Bank ladder matches, and CM Punk turning the world heavyweight championship match on its head for the second straight pay-per-view.
McIntyre opened the pay-per-view by winning the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match and, as promised, cashed in during the world title match between Damian Priest and Seth Rollins. However, Punk quickly entered the ring and attacked McIntyre, eventually allowing Priest to pin “The Scottish Warrior”. The result not only robbed McIntyre of his chance to regain the world title, but also means (per pre-established stipulation) that Rollins cannot challenge for the belt again as long as Priest remains champion.
WWE now heads into SummerSlam next month with matches set to include Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa, McIntyre vs. Punk and Priest vs. Gunther.
CBS Sports was with you throughout the event with live updates, highlights and numbers as the action unfolded.
Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton and Kevin Owens vs. The Bloodline – Jacob Fatu proved to be the difference maker for the Bloodline. Rhodes appeared to win the match by hitting back-to-back Cross Rhodes on Sikoa, but Fatu jumped off the top rope and prevented a third. He then hit an Implant DDT and hoisted Rhodes up so Sikoa could hit a Samoan Spike and pick up the win.
By placing this match at the end of the show, it seemed as if WWE was setting up either a Roman Reigns return or a surprise betrayal from Randy Orton. As it turned out, we got neither, and now Sikoa is first in line for a title shot against Rhodes (likely at SummerSlam). This certainly wasn’t the best match of the night, but it gradually built momentum into a worthy pay-per-view main event. Solo Sikoa wins via pinfall. Grade B
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match — Iyo Sky vs. Chelsea Green vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Zoey Stark: Green was inches away from untying the briefcase as the rest of the ring cleared – only for Stratton to sprint her way up another ladder and send Green crashing through some tables outside the ring. She then grabbed the briefcase for the win.
People have been picking Stratton as the winner of Money in the Bank for months now and Toronto made it clear from the start that she was the favorite to win. Her win makes the most sense and will undoubtedly catapult her to the top of the SmackDown women’s division. The right decision was made and the match had some truly insane moments. Tiffany Stratton wins by retrieving the briefcase. Grade: B+
World Heavyweight Championship — Damian Priest (c) defeated Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre – McIntyre made a late run at the match and cashed in his Money in the Bank contract, making the match a triple threat. However, McIntyre’s attempt to capitalize was quickly thwarted by CM Punk, who pulled McIntyre out of the ring and began beating him with a steel chair. Punk then struck McIntyre in the face with the World Title, and Priest hit a South of Heaven for the win.
Whether you love the end result or not, this was another great chapter in the Punk/McIntyre program. It doesn’t fix the issue of Priest’s title reign, but WWE now has a must-see match for SummerSlam. Priest wins via pinfall. Class A
Intercontinental Championship — Sami Zayn (c) def. Bron Breakker – Despite Breakker having the strength advantage from the start, Zayn outmaneuvered the upstart rookie for most of the match. Breakker countered Zayn’s first Helluva Kick attempt and hit a Gorilla Press Powerslam, but Zayn was able to block his Spear attempt and hit the Helluva Kick for the win.
Regardless of the winner, I expected this to be more of a one-sided squash match. But the decision to make it a back-and-forth match not only continued to highlight Zayn’s run as babyface champion, but also showed just how much Breakker has evolved. This was solid. Zayn wins via pinfall. Grade: B+
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match — Jey Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade vs. Chad Gable vs. LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre: McIntyre had the first opening at the briefcase, hitting his opponents with a ladder before climbing up. Chad Gable interrupted and applied a grapevine armbar, but was helpless when Andrade hit him with a springboard legdrop, sending all three men to the mat.
In the final sequence, Gable got both hands on it, but Uso pulled the ladder out from under him, sending him to the mat after swinging above the ring. Uso hit a Spear and climbed the ladder, but was punched in the face when McIntyre threw a ladder at him. McIntyre then climbed up to dislodge the briefcase.
As Money in the Bank matches go, this was a fun one. We had guys like Gable and Hayes getting their chance to shine, and the right guy still won. Now let’s see if McIntyre can make good on his promise and cash in tonight or if he’s thwarted by Punk again. Drew McIntyre wins by getting the briefcase back. Class A-