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The next pay-per-view that WWE is set to put on is Money in the Bank. Initially in July, the show was moved to mid-June and has now gone further down the calendar. Money in the Bank is now the post-WrestleMania pay-per-view, a mantle that has graced the likes of Backlash, Extreme Rules and even the Greatest Royal Rumble.
Perhaps this is why WWE opted not to book a ladder match for the Show of Shows. Every Money in the Bank pay-per-view is at least a moderate success, thanks to the annual ladder matches.
This year will be no different, especially with the roster being as stacked as it has ever been. WWE has a lot of options for who they could book in the ladder match and with the Superstar Shakeup in the books, the picture is now slightly more clear.
After the last two years of disappointments, WWE has to get this year's briefcase holders right, especially on the men's side. Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman both failed to successfully cash in their briefcases, making it even more important for WWE to book the correct winner this time.
The entire field for the 2019 men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match should be only of people who could realistically win the title shot. And following last year's pattern, there must be four from Raw and four from Smackdown, with a mixture of staying talent and new acquisitions in the Shakeup.
With current likely feuds in mind and in the interest of having another classic and unpredictable Money in the Bank match, here is the predicted lineup for the May 19th car crash.
#8 AJ Styles (RAW)
After spending the entirety of the second brand split on Smackdown, AJ Styles moved to Raw during the Superstar Shakeup. The move comes at the perfect time for the Phenomenal One, as his act was starting to go a little stale on the Blue brand. He has new and fresh opponents to face now. But his first order of business on Raw should be his inclusion in the 2019 men's Money in the Bank ladder match, where Styles can remind the world how good he really is.
He could even win the entire thing, making good of what Vince McMahon said about him at the start of the year, calling him a pitbull. While the briefcase would be better served being on someone who is up and coming, it could be the catalyst to the much-anticipated program between Styles and Seth Rollins. Styles could effectively serve his role as either a face or a heel, depending on what is required on the show.
#7 Roman Reigns (Smackdown)
Roman Reigns made a huge impact and stunned the WWE universe when he appeared at the end of Smackdown. Going in the opposite direction to AJ Styles, Reigns will have completely new surroundings for the first time in almost three years.
This seems fresh and opens up a ton of possibilities for the Big Dog, who is still getting cheered by the fans. Whether or not those cheers last, Reigns will go places on Smackdown and it is likely that he will become the WWE Champion by WrestleMania 36.
Even though he probably won't win the Money in the Bank briefcase, he frankly does not need it at all, Reigns would be a great addition to the match. You get the feeling that Roman Reigns has a huge chance of winning any match that he is in and this might not be an exception.
This uncertainty is what WWE needs in multi-man matches like Money in the Bank. The Big Dog is the biggest full-time male star in the WWE and should absolutely be a part of this match, to make it feel even bigger than it already is.
#6 The Miz (RAW)
The Miz was the first person to switch brands during the entire Superstar Shakeup, moving for the third year in a row. However, his feud with Shane McMahon is not over yet. The two brawled on Raw, with Miz getting busted open during the melee.
A likely setting for the conclusion of this feud would be the pay-per-view after Money in the Bank, the Saudi Arabia show that WWE will probably pull out all the stops for. It does make sense to end the Miz vs Shane O'Mac story on a big show like that, whether you agree with the show taking place or not.
The ladder match could end up furthering the story between the pair of former Smackdown Tag Team Champions, with the former commissioner of the Blue brand costing the A-Lister the match. The Miz would anyway be a solid presence in a match littered with chaos. He would even make for a realistic winner.
However, his beef with the boss's son would prove too much for him. That is what Money in the Bank should do. Further multiple stories, while getting multiple people over.
#5 Randy Orton (Smackdown)
Randy Orton is one of the most reliable WWE superstars and it is easy to see why WWE constantly keeps him in the main event mix. He has been one of the biggest WWE superstars on the roster for more than a decade now and remains a full-timer.
Orton will remain at the top of the card as long as he is still there. His heel work has been toned down after the sadistic heights he reached in his feud with Jeff Hardy, but some of it returned during his WrestleMania program with AJ Styles.
The Viper's future is an open book and there are many possibilities for him, with all the names joining Smackdown or already on the brand. But his immediate future looks to be the ladder match. Orton is a steady hand and his experience could prove handy in an environment filled with newer and hungrier superstars.
He has won the briefcase before, using it to turn heel in 2013. While he likely wouldn't win this year, his presence would provide a necessary calm within the storm.
#4 Sami Zayn (RAW)
Sami Zayn returned on the Raw after WrestleMania and cut a killer promo on the fans, effectively generating heat for himself. This continued on Raw this week, when Zayn cut a scathing promo on the fans in his hometown in Montreal.
The words he is speaking are likely what Vince McMahon thinks, instantly making him a bigger player in the chairman's eyes. Hopefully, he decides to push the former NXT Champion to a level he has hardly seen on the main roster so far.
Being in the Money in the Bank ladder match should be a no-brainer for Sami Zayn. He was one of the stars in every ladder match he has been in, bumping all over the place and using the ladder to his advantage on multiple occassions.
Seeing a heel Sami Zayn try to sneak away with the green briefcase would be entertaining, especially since him holding it would be a welcome surprise. As unlikely as that is, his inclusion is not.
#3 Finn Balor (Smackdown)
In a surprising moment, Finn Balor moved to Smackdown during the Superstar Shakeup. This comes as a surprise because he has brought over the Intercontinental Championship to the Blue brand, with the United States Champion Samoa Joe also staying put on the Blue brand.
We know that Joe was supposed to appear on Raw, but his condition prevented that from happening. He could very well show up on the Red brand next week and clear everything out but as it stands, both midcard champions are on the same show.
Balor defeated Ali in a fun match, but nothing was set up for the future. This could be because WWE might put him in the Money in the Bank ladder match. He was in the match last year and had a great performance.
This year, Finn Balor could go one better. Despite holding the Intercontinental title, he would be an incredible Mr Money in the Bank. And with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on Smackdown, as unhappy as they seem, a Balor Club reunion could be on the cards to take him to the next levels.
#2 Andrade (RAW)
It seemed like Andrade was beginning a feud with Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship after his victory over him on Raw, but the latter moved over to Smackdown a night later. This leaves Andrade without a clear feud in the near future, freeing him up for the Money in the Bank ladder match.
After showing some great potential on Smackdown, he can hopefully realise it on Raw. There are many great matches against both old and new superstars on Raw looming on the horizon for Andrade.
Before he has those matches and feuds though, Andrade must be a part of the annual briefcase ladder match. His skillset is perfect for a match like that and he could really be showcased in this scenario.
Money in the Bank could prove to be Andrade's breakthrough night on WWE's main roster, whether he wins the match or not. And he wouldn't be a bad choice to win it either. His act with Zelina Vega could quickly become one of the biggest things on WWE television.
#1 Kevin Owens (Smackdown)
One of the biggest victims of circumstance in the WWE today is Kevin Owens. He was initially going to be Daniel Bryan's opponent for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, but the insane expansion of support for Kofi Kingston forced the company to change plans.
Owens was brought back to face Bryan at Fastlane, with Mustafa Ali included making it a triple threat. Unfortunately, there was nothing for him at WrestleMania. KO did not make a single appearance on camera at the Show of Shows.
But now that it is out of the way, it is time for Kevin Owens to become a big deal again. He spent the latest episode of Smackdown being an honorary member of the New Day, but things could end up being very different in a month's time.
Entry into his fourth Money in the Bank ladder match seems like an inevitability for Owens, especially after you see the hellacious bump he took last year. This year is the time for him to win it.
Owens as a face, while entertaining, seems a little incomplete. Perhaps a better story would help his case, but the real money in KO is when he is a dastardly villain. And right now, there is no better way to become a dastardly villain than to win the briefcase and then cash in on Kofi Kingston to win the WWE Championship.
He, and the New Day, would most probably be the first victims of KO's newfound wrath. This is a story that writes itself. Book it, WWE!
