The Money in the Bank pay per view that recently concluded was actually solidly booked in terms of the outcome of matches, but again nothing is ever perfectly executed and a number of minor details, coupled with a ridiculously shocking ending, are what I would like to bring up.
What’s Up With the Referees?
No matter what match is taking place during which show, one constant you could count on was the referees doing their job most of the time. At this year’s Money in the Bank, however, that constant was frequently interrupted.
First, you saw a quick title change with the United States title being awarded to Rey Mysterio for the first time in his illustrious career, but that win may have been overshadowed somewhat by a controversial three count that (from a certain angle) showed that Samoa Joe’s shoulders were up before the referee counted to three.
Then, during the RAW women’s championship match, it seemed that Lacey Evans had Becky Lynch down for at three count that looked like it lasted up to four if the referee actually counted. Instead, the ref was stuck frozen for a few seconds before finally making a count, but by that time Becky reversed and put Lacey in the Disarm-Her, gaining the submission victory.
Finally, it is usually no disqualifications inside a Steel Cage match, which means rope breaks for submissions do not apply. However, during the contest between Miz and Shane McMahon, a submission was in place and the other man reached out and grabbed the ropes, at which point the referee started counting to five.
It’s one thing for people watching the match not to be aware of certain rules; it’s quite another for the official to be that absent minded.
The “Mysterious” New Title
Since I am writing this at the conclusion of both MITB and Monday Night RAW from Albany, New York, we already know that the latest championship in WWE is a revamped version of the old Hardcore Championship, now dubbed in the PG era as the “24/7 Championship” because of that clause where the title can be defended anywhere, any time and any place by any one on any WWE brand…as long as there is a referee present.
The concept of the title was something I heartened to, because I remember back in the early 2000s when they put the Hardcore title under the 24/7 rule, which resulted in some of the best segments in WWE during that time. Crash Holly (may he rest in peace) was the one who really carried that concept forward.
The belt’s current design is rather bland and atrocious, as though it was designed by one of the kids of the creative writing staff. And the excitement MITB announcement of the new title coming really did not match the unveiling itself (the pop for “Albany New York” from Mick Foley was louder that the response to the 24/7 title).
Still, I’m willing to see how far this concept could go, and this could finally make use of all that other members of the roster who sit around backstage anyway.
Women’s Championships Status
If you honestly thought the whole ‘Becky 2 Belts’ thing was going to run on forever, you’d be kidding yourselves. I had predicted Becky dropping the Smackdown title to Charlotte at MITB, as it was more likely Lynch would be the standard bearer of the women’s division on RAW after the Superstar Shakeup.
However, the cash in by Bayley was a pleasant surprise.
Don’t get me wrong…Bayley’s overall character didn’t have me pining on her as someone who would be hanging onto that briefcase for long but there was a moment there I thought she would end up as a failed cash in attempt on Charlotte.
With Becky running the RAW division and Bayley looking to be set up into a decent program with Charlotte over the Smackdown Women’s title, at least the women’s divisions on both brands is getting some structure in place going forward.
Vince McMahon At It Again
When you have some of the most high caliber athletes in your company put on a grueling, bump ridden affair like that men’s MITB ladder match, only to have Brock Lesnar of all people insert himself in out of nowhere and snatch the briefcase, you can literally see Vince McMahon coming in and tearing up the script in the last five minutes and just saying “fuck it, bring in Brock”.
Unless WWE means to make Brock the third men’s MITB briefcase holder to unsuccessfully cash in that contract, it’s safe to say Mr. Lesnar will be seeing another title reign, either with the Universal or WWE title, coming down the line. My money is on him cashing in on Kofi Kingston, setting up an inevitable confrontation with Roman Reigns.
Just the way Vince likes it. AEW couldn’t come soon enough.
For more on my thoughts of the show, check out my Tweet thread here.
An average professional doing the 9-5 grind who really loves wrestling across all platforms. Here's hoping wrestlers finally get some basic workers rights in 2021.
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