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On the back of WrestleMania 35 and the Superstar Shake-up, WWE is now building towards Money in the Bank on May, and while it may just be another quick stop on the road to SummerSlam, WWE has the opportunity to book some fun matches here.
Overall, it's unlikely that any of the top championships will change hands, as WWE is trying to establish stars on their new brands, but with the two Money in the Bank ladder matches, it could have a big impact on the company's landscape for the remainder of 2019.
With all of the changes to the roster, a lot of these could be open to change, especially with potential heel/face changes that could come with the shakeup, but here today we will preidct all the main card matches for Money in the Bank:
#9 Women's Tag Team Championships - The IIconics (c) vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Fire & Desire
The Women's Tag Team titles changed hands at WrestleMania, and with both brands having possible contenders for The IIconics, there are plenty of opponents, but for now, we will start with two big teams from Smackdown Live. Paige brought the duo of Asuka and Kairi Sane to Smackdown Live during the Shake-up, and with the return of Fire & Desire, this could be an amazing contest.
It's unlikely that The IIconics will drop the belts so early into their run, but the company will also build up Asuka and Sane, so this is a great way to accomplish both of those things as well as having a very exciting bout. It feels like the Sasha and Bayley story is going to play a big part in WWE over the next 6 months, and with plenty of teams down in NXT, this new division is going to be quite fun, and this is the great way to kick it off.
Prediction: The IIconics retain the Women's Tag Team Championships
#8 RAW Tag Team Championship - Ryder & Hawkins (c) vs. Black & Ricochet vs. The Uso's
The RAW tag team division got incredibly rich during the Superstar Shake-up, with The Uso's and The War Raiders (excuse me, Viking Experience), and right now, there are at least 6 teams vying for gold on the red brand. We can't have all of them challenging at once, but a triple threat is a great way to get the belts off Ryder and Hawkins without burying them completely, and in the chaos, we'd see some incredible action here.
The Revival and The Viking Experience would likely collide on the pre-show here, as a way to build Erik and Ivar away from the title picture, but it's hard to see The Uso's not coming away victorious. Each team in this match has an exciting story going for them, and if booked correctly, this could set up RAW's tag team title picture for the rest of 2019, but ultimately, this would just be a fun, chaotic way to set up what is going to be an amazing event.
Prediction: The Uso's Add More Gold to their Résumé
#7 Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match - Ember Moon vs. Bayley vs. Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Zelina Vega vs. Ruby Riott
This will be the third ever women's Money in the Bank ladder match, and with Becky Two-Belts at the top of the mountain right now, this could be the most important of the three matches so far.
Right now, there's no one but Charlotte in Lynch's league, but with a victory, anyone from Ember Moon to Bayley could step up to The Man, and with some good booking, WWE could have some very hot feuds for Lynch at the back end of 2019.
Someone like Zelina Vega or Ruby Riott could be a surprise in this match, because they both have incredible potential, but without Rousey to challenge Lynch, the most obvious choice is either Ember Moon or Charlotte, because without Ronda, WWE needs to spend plenty of time building stars in the division.
Prediction: Ruby Riott wins the women's Money in the Bank ladder match
#6 Intercontinental Championship - Finn Balor (c) vs. Buddy Murphy
Finn Balor has been very up and down over the past few years, but after the return of The Demon at WrestleMania, it's clear that he's ready to make the Intercontinental Championship great again. Moving to Smackdown Live, Balor has plenty of challengers awaiting him, both on the babyface and heel side, but for his first PPV defence, it makes sense to go with a heel, so why not go with another new addition to Smackdown Live?
The Juggernaut, Buddy Murphy comes off a great reign as Cruiserweight Champion, and with his look, in-ring skill and athleticism, he could be a great Champion of the future in WWE. Obviously this one seems like a fairly predictable result, but with a great showing here, Murphy can solidify himself as a future star in WWE, and it would make for one hell of an in ring classic.
Predicition: Finn Balor reigns supreme in a thriller
#5 RAW Women's Championship - Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lacey Evans
Becky Lynch has been the hottest thing in WWE for quite some time, but coming out of WrestleMania as the Champ-Champ, the company is struggling to find challengers, but the first one to step up is the Classy Southern Belle, Lacey Evans. Her victory on RAW against Natalya was quite impressive, and assuming that Becky will defend one belt at a time, it makes sense for her to chase the big red belt here at Money in the Bank.
This will be a high quality bout, but given how much stock WWE has put into The Man since SummerSlam a year ago, there's no doubt that Becky Two-Belts will continue her reign. Lacey Evans is a clear star of the future though, so putting her on this big stage in the spotlight will be a great chance for her to step up, and in the future, she may be seen as a legit challenger for Becky.
Prediction: Becky Two Belts keeps the momentum going
#4 United States Championship - Samoa Joe (c) vs. Cedric Alexander
Samoa Joe did not move from Smackdown Live during the Superstar Shakeup, but unless he drops his US Championship before Money in the Bank, he should be headed to RAW in the next few weeks. Finn Balor brought the Intercontinental Championship to Smackdown Live in the Shakeup, and that gives both titles to the blue brand, so Joe needs to head to Monday Nights, and a fresh, new challenger should be given to him at the very first PPV.
There are many choices here, but like Balor's challenger on this show, it should be a former 205 Live star, and a former champion in the incredibly exciting Cedric Alexander. Joe is way too early in his reign to be dethroned, and after demolishing Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania, he needs to continue his domination, but a good showing from Cedric could set him up for very big things on Monday Night's.
Prediction: Samoa Joe's dominant streak continues
#3 Men's Money in the Bank - Andrade vs. Kevin Owens vs. Elias vs. The Miz vs. Sami Zayn vs. AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns vs. Mustafa Ali
Money in the Bank has a tradition dating back around 13 years, and the contract has been used to elevate several top stars in WWE, and with so many potential main eventers on the current roster, this could be the biggest bout yet. Hypothetically, all 8 men in this match have the potential to hold either big belt they desire, and with a good combination of high fliers and brutal power, this would be an amazing match, and one of the most unpredictable in years.
The briefcase is usually saved for a heel, as they cash-in is a very opportunistic thing to do, and with Andrade, Sami Zayn and Elias in the bout, any of them could be considered a reasonable winner. We've only seen a back-to-back winner once, so Braun Strowman is unlikely, but with the amount of talent in this bout, it's safe to say it would be amazing, and any winner would be worthy.
Prediction: El Idolo becomes Mr. Money in the Bank
#2 WWE Championship - Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
At WrestleMania 35, Kofi Kingston finally made it to the top of the mountain after 11 years with WWE, and as SmackDown's top babyface, he's ready to reign over Smackdown Live for the rest of 2019. His opponent at WrestleMania needs to be given a lot of credit for the rise of KofiMania, and while there are many challengers awaiting Kofi, but given what a good story they told, a rematch with The New Daniel Bryan is the best option here.
Obviously no one wants to see Kofi lose the title anytime soon, but a loss here will leave Daniel Bryan in an odd place on Smackdown Live, so it will make this a very unpredictable bout. Their match at WrestleMania was probably the best on the night, and with a bit more time here, they could create magic again, and this would truly make Money in the Bank feel like the big time PPV WWE are trying to make it.
Prediction: KofiMania continues to run wild
#1 Universal Championship - Seth Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
After 2 years of holding the WWE Universal Championship hostage, Brock Lesnar was finally dethroned, and his next challenger is seemingly being set up as the Scottish Psychopath, Drew McIntyre. The Beast Slayer has been in career best form inside the ring over the past 12 months, and with Reigns leaving RAW, they will need to build a challenger for SummerSlam, but right now, McIntyre is built and ready to go.
Drew needs to come out on top at some stage in 2019, because he's been built since arriving on RAW a year ago, but right now, Seth needs to have a great run of challengers heading into the back end of 2019. Both of these men are incredibly talented, and the match would be incredible and worthy of the main event of Money in the Bank, and it's a bout months in the making.
Prediction: Rollins slays yet another beast
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