Overall WWE continues to provide subpar builds to their Premium Live Events but since Wrestlemania they have absolutely knocked them out of the park. Tonight we saw three standout matches, the two money in the bank matches along with the instant classic The Usos Vs The Street Profits. Bianca Belair doesn’t seem to be done with Carmella and Liv Morgan is a Women's Champion! Bobby Lashley also submitted Theory for the United States championship. Overall the three matches that stood out, stood out, but Bobby Lashley and Theory did have a very solid match with some great stuff within it, but the two women's championship matches slightly underdelivered. Bianca Vs Carmella and Ronda Rousey Vs Natalya were filler matches for this card. The Show Structure was pretty good at the end of the day with the Las Vegas crowd being very electric. With Lashley winning, Montez Ford’s shoulder being up for the pin, Liv Morgan cashing in and winning and Theory winning the championship there are a lot of things that are compelling for Raw and Smackdown.
WWE Money In The Bank from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas during International Fight Week looks to deliver with two Money In The Bank matches. The Men’s Ladder Match containing Omos, Madcap Moss, Riddle, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre and Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins. The Women’s containing Raquel Rodriguez, Shotzi, Lacey Evans, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Liv Morgan and Big Time Becky Lynch. We also have Both Women’s Championships being defended in Bianca Belair Vs Carmella and Ronda Rousey Vs Natalya. Theory defends against Bobby Lashley and The Usos Defend against the Street Profits.
GREAT Lacey Evans Vs Raquel Rodriguez Vs Alexa Bliss Vs Asuka Vs Liv Morgan Vs Shotzi Vs Becky Lynch – Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Becky Lynch enters first and this years Money In The Bank premium live event is underway. Asuka enters next, followed by Liv Morgan, then Raquel Rodriquez, then Lacey Evans, then Shotzi, and finally Alexa Bliss. The match starts with all 7 women in the ring sizing each other up before rolling out to grab ladders. Except for Becky Lynch and Asuka that is, who stay in the ring to trade massive strikes. Asuka gets the better of the exchange but as a ladder is brought in the ring, Lynch recovers to nearly end the match for Asuka with another ladder. Raquel Rodriguez nearly lifts a ladder with both Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch laying accross it. She does land a double suplex on those same two across that same ladder though. Raquel continues to use her power to dominate the ring briefly but 4 of the other women team up to send her into the corner. Shotzi goes for a big spot in the corner and slips through a rung of the ladder. She seemingly recovers but that was a brutal looking botch. Alexa Bliss takes out 4 other competitors with a Molly-go-Round off the top rope and this is already a violent opening match. With a cleared ring Alexa attempts to make a climb but Asuka recovers and now she’s briefly in the ring alone. Shotzi also recovers and cuts Asuka off. Asuka fights her off and becomes the first woman to climb the ladder before she is stopped by Lacey Evans. Becky Lynch gets involved as well but Lacey gets the best of the both of them. She takes a little too long to climb the ladder and Shotzi is able to recover in time. Shotzi is the first one to get her hand on the briefcase but Evans chases her up there and nearly gets the briefcase herself. Raquel stops her and then Liv Morgan makes the climb. Morgan sunset flips Lacey Evans off the top of the ladder leaving Raquel on the ladder alone but she is caught by Shotzi and tied up in the rungs of the ladder. Alexa Bliss has a clear path up the ladder for a moment but then Shotzi gets her in an Electric Chair. They fell awkwardly and that did not look like it was how it was supposed to go. Shotzi climbs though and she’s now in the ring alone. Big Time Becks springs into action and knocks Shotzi off the ladder. Lynch is oh so close, but Shotzi has enough time to pull her down. Asuka re inserts herself into the match and knocks both Lynch and Shotzi out of the ring but then Raquel recovers to grab Asuka before she can make the climb. Raquel sets up a ladder that balances across the ring apron and the announce table and then brings Asuka on top of the announce table. Asuka is knocked off of the shoulders of Raquel by Becky Lynch and she is set up on the ladder. Becky hits a senton off of another ladder onto Asuka who was sitting on the balancing ladder and it did not break. The crowd chants this is awesome and there is no one in the ring where the briefcase hangs ominously. Shotzi, Lacey Evans, Raquel and Alexa Bliss hit the ring, 3 of them with ladders in hand. They are set up in the middle and everyone is dumped to the outside by Becky Lynch. She’s the only one in the ring, but not for long. Liv Morgan is there too. She climbs the ladder next to Lynch and it is tipped over but she saves it with her foot and then uses that same foot to kick Becky right in the face. Liv Morgan is Miss Money In The Bank! The finish was awesome, the crowd loved Liv’s victory (Summary By Clark)
Results: Liv Morgan Via Climbing the Ladder and Unhooking the Briefcase
Clark Taylor and Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT Bobby Lashley Vs Austin Theory – United States Championship: Theory enters first followed by Bobby Lashley who gets a huge babyface pop from the crowd in Vegas. Lashley imposes his will early, scaring Theory to the ringside area. When Theory does decide to enter the ring he is caught with a massive one handed spinebuster. Lashley lines him up for a spear but he rolls to the outside again. He makes the mistake of chasing Theory to the outside though and Theory is able to take advantage. Theory has enough crafty ability to throw Lashley into the ringpost and then keep the momentum as they re enter the ring. Lashley has even more trouble in the ring where Theory uses left hands and grappling acumen to stay in control of the bigger stronger athlete in The Almighty. He even has the audacity to try a chin lock but it doesn’t seem this will be as fruitful as Theory might think. It isn’t and Lashley finds new life. He hits the ropes and drives Theory into the corner. Lashley tries for a stalling suplex but Theory is able to escape. He tries to roll back into the ring but is caught in a Military Press and powerslamed into oblivion. Theory kicks out and then hits a rolling dropkick right on the side of Bobby Lashley’s head. He gives the A-Town down signal but he is cradled by Lashley and then brought up for another powerslam. Theory rakes Lashley’s eyes and then hits him with his own spear. He tries for A-Town down but he’s stuck in the Hurt Lock. Theory submits quickly and The Almighty is the United States Champion once again. (Summary By Clark)
Results: Bobby Lashley by Submission via Hurt Lock
Clark Taylor and Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GOOD Bianca Belair Vs Carmella – Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair is clearly the crowd favorite but Carmella gets a surprising mixed reaction from the Las Vegas crowd. The initial exchange is back and forth but Bianca’s strength and athleticism shines through. I have a hard time naming a better all around athlete in all of wrestling than Bianca Belair. Her combination of strength, speed, agility and pure coordination is hard to quantify. Carmella actually takes over early, using some underhanded tactics to gain the upper hand on the EST. She hits a bronco buster on Bianca and then follows it up with a seated hammerlock. Belair finds her rhythm briefly and hits a huge right hand on Mella, but she is then thrown into the ringpost when trying for a clothesline. Carmella takes advantage with a superkick and then begins to stomp on Bianca Belair. That of course infuriates Bianca, who lifts Carmella up for a KOD to retain the title. Post match Carmella snaps and beats down Bianca Belair. She actually stands tall to end the match, as Bianca writhes in pain. (Summary By Clark)
Results: Bianca Belair by Pinfall via KOD
Clark Taylor and Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
MUST WATCH The Usos, Jimmy and Jey Uso Vs The Street Profits, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins – Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: The Uso’s enter first and then they cut a promo. It is one of the goofiest, “cater to a city,” promos in Bloodline history. They make multiple roulette references and then a couple of other silly gambling jokes, all to a chorus of boos. Thankfully the Street Profits theme interrupts before the Uso’s decided to give us a “Bellagio Fountain,” reference. Dawkins starts the match for the Profits with Jimmy Uso. Early on it seems that both teams are prepared for tonight. That is until Angelo Dawkins hits a spinebuster. The Uso’s refocus and then Montez Ford is tagged in. Ford goes back and forth with Jey Uso before bringing Angelo back in. Dawkins drills Jey Uso with right hands but when he hits the ropes he’s caught by both Jey and Jimmy waiting. Jimmy is tagged in and he hits a tope suicida on Dawkins outside the ring. They tandem suplex Dawk into the ringpost, and Pat Mcafee is baffled. Jey is brought back in as the legal man and he gets too cocky but is caught by Angelo Dawkins with right hands. Jey actually wins the exchange with a thunderous uppercut and then he tags in his brother. Jimmy hits a superman punch on Dawkins in the corner as Ford gets more and more anxious while waiting on the apron. This is vintage Uso’s with the quick tags and double team offense. Both Uso’s mock Montez Ford continuously as they isolate Dawkins, but finally it allows Angelo a second to land an uppercut on Jimmy Uso. Dawkins makes it to Ford for the hot tag at the same time Jimmy tags in his brother Jey. Ford leaps off the top rope but is cut in half by a superkick from Jey Uso. Montez is now in the same type of trouble that Dawkins was. Jey distracts the referee as Jimmy hits a drive by on Ford. They move him into the ring and Jimmy is tagged in for a leaping elbow on Montez. He laces Ford with chops in the corner and now it’s Dawkins chomping at the bit to enter the match. Jey is brought back in and further double teams ensue. Montez is in legitimate trouble here, as Jey Uso wrenches across his neck. He hits Dawkins with a superkick to knock him off the apron, and as he does Montez gains some energy. Ford goes to the apron and he is drilled with an uppercut from Jimmy Uso. Finally, Ford gains the tag to Dawkins who is totally back. He hits a flipping senton to the outside and then a flying elbow on Jimmy Uso. Dawkins hits a corkscrew neckbreaker but it is not enough. Angelo hits a double shoulder block on the Uso’s. Then he throws Jimmy back in the ring and hits a shoulder block assisted German suplex with Montez Ford that nearly ends the match. Jimmy Uso and Montez Ford are technically the legal men, momentarily but they both tag in their partners. The Street Profits hit the Street Sweeper and that is somehow not enough. Dawkins is tagged in, as is Jey Uso and they trade punches in the center of the ring. Neither gets the best of each other but Ford is tagged in, as is Jimmy Uso. The Profits try for another Street Sweeper but the Uso’s have it scouted and they double superkick Montez Ford into next week. Back to this week, Ford is still being double teamed by the Uso’s but he fights his way out with a hurricanrana on Jimmy and a back body drop on Jimmy. When they spill to the outside, Ford dives over the ringpost and hits both. That might have been the spot of the year. He throws Jey back in the ring and then leaps from the heavens for a Frog Splash. At the last millisecond Jimmy Uso breaks up the pin to the collective gasp of the MGM Grand Garden Arena. All four men rise to their feet and trade blows in the center of the ring. Dawkins goes to the outside with Jimmy Uso and is sent over the railing. With Ford isolated in the ring the Uso’s hit another superkick followed by a 1-D and the Uso’s retain the titles. (Summary By Clark)
Results: The Uso’s by Pinfall via 1-D
Clark Taylor and Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
A Mysterious Vignette Aired, involving Hardy Boy Armbands, Christian Crosses, Dudley Glasses, Latino Heat License Plate and a Gold Medal. This vignette can be predicted as for the soon to be returning Edge. NOT BRAY WYATT.
AVERAGE Natalya Vs Ronda Rousey – Smackdown Women’s Championship: Overall this match was what you would expect. A somewhat technical match with a bunch of submission trading. For what it was, it was alright. Fundamentally the match was alright, the atmosphere really only picked up after the match. Nothing truly innovative, I could probably count one thing directly uniquely done. Predictable ending with an as expected winner. The finish had Ronda reversing the Sharpshooter into the Armbar for the victory. There was a sharpshooter on the apron that got reversed with Natalya being sent into the ring post in a harsh looking bump. I mean there is nothing else to say about this match. (Summary By Coby)
Results: Ronda Rousey by Submission via Armbar
Clark Taylor and Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.25 Stars
Post Match: As Ronda is holding herself up with the ropes, Liv Morgan’s theme hits! Liv runs down to the ring and actually cashes in. Liv Morgan is put into an ankle lock and the crowd showers Ronda with boos. Liv reversed out of it and got a roll up victory. Liv Morgan Is A Champion!!!! Liv and Ronda hug as Ronda leaves Liv is serenaded with you deserve it chants. What a moment for Liv Morgan and that was the absolute highlight of the show. Not rating this but this was a phenomenal moment!!!
Results: Liv Morgan by Pinfall via Roll Up.
AMAZING Omos Vs Sami Zayn Vs Seth Rollins Vs Sheamus Vs Drew McIntyre Vs Riddle Vs Madcap Moss and Special Eighth Entrant… Theory – Mens Money In The Bank Ladder Match: All Seven guys come out to the ring and Adam Pearce comes out. Adam praises the event so far and announces he is raising the entrants 7 to an 8. Theory is announced and walks down to the ring. It’s hard to do this play by play but this was a really great match! We saw an RKO from the top of two ladders. A six person shield bomb to take out Omos. Sami took some brutal spots. Drew and Sheamus took another one. Overall for a main event this match did in fact deliver! There were no screw ups in the match with a lot of sick looking bumps. The Atmosphere was electric. Austin Theory was just able to push Riddle off of the ladder to get the Briefcase in a shocking moment since he wasn’t scheduled for the match. Every man in the match got their moments to shine and it was enjoyable. (Summary By Coby)
Results: Theory Via Climbing the Ladder and Unhooking the Briefcase
Clark Taylor and Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
Overall WWE continues to provide subpar builds to their Premium Live Events but since Wrestlemania they have absolutely knocked them out of the park. Tonight we saw three standout matches, the two money in the bank matches along with the instant classic The Usos Vs The Street Profits. Bianca Belair doesn’t seem to be done with Carmella and Liv Morgan is a Women’s Champion! Bobby Lashley also submitted Theory for the United States championship. Overall the three matches that stood out, stood out, but Bobby Lashley and Theory did have a very solid match with some great stuff within it, but the two women’s championship matches slightly underdelivered. Bianca Vs Carmella and Ronda Rousey Vs Natalya were filler matches for this card. The Show Structure was pretty good at the end of the day with the Las Vegas crowd being very electric. With Lashley winning, Montez Ford’s shoulder being up for the pin, Liv Morgan cashing in and winning and Theory winning the championship there are a lot of things that are compelling for Raw and Smackdown.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 1/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 4.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: (Wwe) For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
