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One of the most shocking parts of WrestleMania Backlash involved the lack of promotion for Money in the Bank. Surprisingly, WWE aired a hype video for Hell in a Cell on June 20th. That date was originally slated to be the date for the 2021 Money in the Bank PPV.
Money in the Bank has taken place in May over the last two years. In the two years before that, the PPV took place in June.
With issues brought on by the pandemic, however, everyone from businesses to individuals has had to change how they operate.
Without fans being able to be physically present for shows, WWE created the Thunderdome experience. It allowed fans to watch the action virtually, adding some type of presence for the WWE Universe at the shows.
Now that millions of Americans and others worldwide have been vaccinated, restrictions across the United States are slowly being lifted. With those restrictions lifted, fans have been allowed back at MLB games, NBA games and other sporting events.
Most people want things to return to the way they were before the pandemic, and the WWE is no different.
The announcement that Money in the Bank wouldn't be taking place next month was a bit disappointing. It might, however, prove to be the right decision in the long run. Here are five reasons why postponing Money in the Bank for a month was the right call by WWE.
#5 WWE has more time to plan things out
One benefit of postponing Money in the Bank by a month is that it gives WWE more time to plan out the PPV. Last year forced WWE's hand and it made the men's and women's matches take place simultaneously.
It also strayed from the traditional ladder match format. Instead, six men and six women raced up to the roof of WWE HQ in order to pull down the briefcase.
The match was also pre-taped, allowing WWE to edit things out when necessary. By going back to the live format, the margin for error shrinks, but it also makes it more exciting.
Vince McMahon fell in love with Otis last year as the big man got a featured storyline and match at WrestleMania 36. He also won the men's briefcase over the likes of Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, King Corbin, AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan.
It took several months following MITB for McMahon to realize that he had made a mistake by booking Otis to win. The big man didn't seem nearly on the level of stars like Styles and Bryan, who he beat for the briefcase. For that reason, Otis lost his title shot to The Miz at last year's Hell in a Cell.
With another month to plan things out, WWE has to nail the winner of this year's match. Some people think one of the Usos should win but neither should be holding one of the major titles in WWE.
Whereas Cesaro, Keith Lee, Big E and Aleister Black are established singles stars who could use the push that comes with winning MITB.
Another few weeks should hopefully give WWE more time to pick the right person this year. If it happens the same way that the last two matches have gone (Brock Lesnar, Otis) then it would have been for naught.
#4 WWE can work on potential debuts/returns
One thing that WWE needs to do is refresh the rosters on both RAW and SmackDown. While Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley both deserved their runs as WWE Champion, a lot of the storylines on RAW feel stagnant.
By essentially dispatching McIntyre, Lashley will have removed the biggest obstacle in his title reign.
On SmackDown, WWE has essentially had Roman Reigns destroy both Daniel Bryan and Cesaro, who were positioned as two of the top babyfaces on SmackDown.
Bryan lost and was forced to leave SmackDown whereas Cesaro was attacked three times following his title loss to Reigns.
That leaves Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura and Big E as the remaining main-event level faces. Owens has already tried and failed to dethrone the Tribal Chief.
Nakamura hasn't been booked as a main-event guy since his feud with AJ Styles. Big E could finally get that huge push to challenge and potentially defeat Reigns.
One of the biggest names that could make a huge impact on either show is Keith Lee. He has mysteriously been absent from WWE TV since the Elimination Chamber PPV.
He was supposed to be a part of the US title match won by Riddle. Instead, he hasn't been in a match since February. If he's truly hurt, then hopefully he can be cleared to return in time for Money in the Bank.
On the flip side, there are two huge women's names that could help out the blue brand.
According to some reports, Mia Yim was "quietly" moved to SmackDown. Fans haven't seen anything of her since RETRIBUTION disbanded.
Io Shirai dropped the NXT Women's title to Raquel Gonzalez. She said she'd still be gunning for the title but could feasibly move up to RAW or SmackDown.
By postponing MITB for another month, it gives the stars, and WWE, more time to plan out their debuts/returns. Shirai may not have moved up, but Yim was rumored to debut in each of the last two weeks. It was probably held off so that WrestleMania Backlash could play out.
#3 It's not quite time for major WWE title changes
Lashley won the WWE Championship the month before WrestleMania 37. At the Show of Shows, both Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair won their respective titles. Other than those three, only Roman Reigns has had a title run of over four months.
For that reason, none of the four major titleholders in WWE are ready to lose their belts. Cashing in on someone is better after the Champion has at least had a decent run as Champ.
That, however, doesn't include someone like Charlotte Flair. WWE booked her to beat Becky Lynch two years ago and Bayley cashed in on Flair on the same night. The Queen's win was to pad her number of title reigns.
The case could be made that it's time for someone else to have a run atop SmackDown, but this is the best version of Roman Reigns we've seen.
With his domineering character, it makes sense that he'd have a long run as Universal Champion. Whichever star dethrones him should become a made man. It's like how McIntyre moved up as a main-eventer after beating Brock Lesnar last year.
With Money in the Bank taking place a month later than usual, it allows current Champions to have their runs extended. It would still be a little too soon for Ripley and Belair to lose their belts since they just won them in April.
WWE has had a female MITB winner cash in twice on the same night as the actual PPV. Alexa Bliss did it in 2018 and Bayley did it in 2019. Asuka won last year and became RAW Women's Champ the next night due to Lynch's pregnancy.
Having another month to get through won't seem as bad if any of the top four Champions are cashed in on during the PPV, as recent history would seem to suggest.
#2 WWE can end current feuds in Hell in a Cell
One of the complaints about WrestleMania Backlash is that WWE prolonged feuds that should have been completed at the Show of Shows.
Drew McIntyre lost clean and that should have allowed Lashley to move on to someone else. Instead, the Scottish Psychopath was placed in a triple threat match.
Since he was not pinned in the triple threat, the usual "I wasn't pinned" trope was used for the former Champ. WWE also booked Charlotte Flair to not be pinned so that she could have the same argument.
It may be true, but using that excuse in both matches so that the person who wasn't pinned can get another title shot isn't very creative. Those title feuds can hopefully be put to bed for good at Hell in a Cell - and not MITB - next up on the schedule.
When WWE wants to put an end to a longstanding feud, it usually does so inside Hell in a Cell. Sasha Banks defeated Bayley after a long rivalry between the two at Hell in a Cell in 2020.
While Randy Orton and McIntyre's feud continued past HIAC, the Scottish Warrior would win the title back shortly after the pay-per-view.
Money in the Bank is usually one of the most anticipated pay-per-views in the year due to what it represents. WWE Superstars looking to move up can get that huge push by winning the briefcase.
While every person that has won a briefcase hasn't successfully cashed in, it still represents hope for a new star. For the women of WWE, every cash-in has been successful so far.
Even Apollo Crews and Big E have been feuding since before WM. They'll battle it out again in a Fatal 4-Way match on SmackDown, which also features Owens and Sami Zayn.
Most major WWE feuds last three PPV cycles, but that sometimes leaves fans feeling burnt out. Having HIAC before MITB this year will hopefully wrap up some ongoing feuds that need to end.
Once they end, MITB can then take the stage to push towards the second half of the year.
#1 The complete return of the WWE Universe
WWE fans were in attendance, in limited numbers, at WrestleMania 37. McIntyre won the title from Brock Lesnar in 2020 but was unable to celebrate with fans in attendance. As a result, Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley was booked as the opening match of this year's pay-per-view.
Restrictions are being lifted slowly in many states in the United States. By July, many hope to re-open things as they were before the pandemic.
The WWE is just like everyone else wishing for things to go back to normal. Normal for wrestling means fans.
After WrestleMania Backlash, some reports emerged that stated WWE wanted its first big show to have a significant return of fans. Without having to move SummerSlam from its usual August slot, Money in the Bank represented the next big PPV.
While it isn't one of the 'big four' PPVs for WWE, it is still highly anticipated due to the potential to see the making of a future star. The fan reaction always makes the ladder match better, so moving MITB back a month makes sense.
Having shows in the Thunderdome has maintained somewhat of a fan presence, but it's not the same as actual fans in seats. Piping in crowd noise may work to a degree, but the best reactions are real.
Fans should finally be booing Roman Reigns because he is a dastardly heel and not because they are tired of his constant pushes.
The simple fact is that fans just make professional sports better due to the reality of their reactions. They can boo and cheer for whomever they want, making anticipated moments all the better.
Daniel Bryan's win at WM 30 would have been greatly affected had fans not been in attendance.
Moving MITB back one month so that fans can be in attendance in Texas is the right call. The WWE Universe makes the moments more special, so waiting a little longer is okay.
What do you make of the move? Is it the right decision? Sound off in the comment section!
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