The biggest winners and losers from Money in the Bank 2018

Last night's show was far from as bad as Backlash. The match quality was usually a lot higher, at any rate. Unlike Backlash, there wasn't a series of worst match of the year candidates. Unfortunately, however, the show was also rife with the kinds of terrible booking decisions we've come to expect in this year's deeper than usual post-WrestleMania lull. WWE has been putting next to no effort in its showings since WrestleMania 34, and it was on display yet again last night, in contrast to another excellent TakeOver which took place the night before.

The company's status-quo and tiresome booking formulas ruled the day, and while we saw some pleasant surprises, most were of the typical WWE variety which is based on annoying and angering its own fanbase. Several better options were discarded in favor of the mundane, the lackluster, and the irritating.

With one exception, the road to SummerSlam really doesn't look so good after Money in the Bank. The best we can hope for is that Extreme Rules rights some wrongs.

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Loser: Big Cass

You tapped twice!

Against expectations, not least of which were the betting sights, Big Cass tapped to Daniel Bryan last night. That marks not one, but two submission victories over Big Cass. For the not so intimidating giant, this can only spell the end of his push to the main event, at least for now.

I wouldn't be surprised if this feud does somehow continue, but I'm not betting on it, if that makes sense. All possible ground has been covered.

It was the right decision. Cass has proven himself nowhere near ready and his "I'm tall, you're short" gimmick is really painful. He needs to do something else in the mid-card.

As for Daniel Bryan, let's hope that his looming feud with The Miz can start getting underway now.

Loser: Roman Reigns

It happened again.

For the third consecutive pay-per-view match in a row, the crowd showed its complete and utter apathy for Roman Reigns. Chants of CM Punk, Rusev Day, Johnny Wrestling, dueling Cena chants, and others serenaded the arena. The wave was in full force. Was beachball mania running wild again?

The company should have expected this in Chicago of all places, and it bodes just as ill for Roman Reigns in Brooklyn if indeed he is to challenge Brock Lesnar again.

There couldn't be any clearer signal that the Roman Reigns character needs a makeover. Desperately. If he continues his run as it is, every Roman Reigns match is going to be an occasion where the illusion is broken, where there's a disconnect between the ring action and the crowd paying it no mind.

The point of no return was reached at WrestleMania 34. It's time for something new with Roman Reigns.

Loser: Asuka

Geeked out.

Asuka, despite being booked strongly on SmackDown, is perilously close to entering the Bayley or Becky Lynch category of geekdom.

Her loss to Carmella, where she looked like an idiot in response to James Ellsworth's surprise appearance, was very reminiscent of Bayley's infamous kendo stick on a pole match against Alexa Bliss.

Carmella will now be able to say that she beat Charlotte and Asuka. It's easily the worst decision the company has made in its supposed "post-Diva" era. Any Charlotte/Asuka rematches, and Asuka or Charlotte vs. Ronda Rousey matches have lost a lot of luster now.

And so Carmella's terrible title reign can continue. Ridiculous.

Loser: Shinsuke Nakamura

Loser.

Shinsuke Nakamura's loss has sent him into the mid-card permanently. This was his sixth attempt at the WWE title and he failed all six times. Despite the momentum and the buzz being on his side, the normal booking formula took hold. Styles' title reign, which has long passed its expiration date, will continue, and SmackDown is in limbo.

The match wasn't particularly great either.

What happened to Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura last night really does send a bad message to international talent who might wish to sign with the company. For all its supposed commitment to "diversity and inclusion," the company hasn't acted like it in the slightest, even if the international talent is on a hot streak.

Someone really does need to raise a bigger stink about this.

Winner: Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey stole the show again.

All of my remaining doubts about Ronda Rousey are gone. She was a star yet again. In managing to get something good out of Nia Jax, she's proven that.

Sure, she didn't wind up winning the title, because of course we need yet another Alexa Bliss title reign, but her ascendancy will come sooner rather than later.

Now, if the company would only stop Rousey from talking and just let her beat people up, it would be much, much better. The difference between a talking Rousey and a ring Rousey is night and day.

Winner: Braun Strowman

The briefcase got those hands!

Monster in the Bank!

A year later than it should have happened, it looks like Braun Strowman might indeed be slated to take the title from Brock Lesnar after all. This would be a very positive sign, and one a floundering company desperately needs.

This Brock/Roman feud, cycling on an endless loop, has killed Raw and the Universal Championship. A shakeup is badly needed, and with last night's outcome, WWE has signaled that one may be on the way.

I originally thought that only Joe or Miz should win, but I was wrong, and I'm happy to admit it. This is promising.

The question remains whether the company can capitalize on it. As we saw again on last night's show, the company's batting average hasn't been very high lately.