'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE's Money in the Bank pay-per-view comes at you live Sunday, May 19 from the XL Center in Hartford Connecticut. The MITB pre-show will begin at 6 pm Eastern, while the main card kicks off at 7 pm. The centerpiece of the show will be the ladder matches with very high stakes; The man, or woman, who can ascend the lofty heights of a rickety ladder and bring down the dangling suitcase gets a guaranteed WWE title shot anywhere, anytime the winner chooses to cash in.
The Money in the Bank PPV is the brainchild, at least in kayfabe terms, of former WWE Grand Slam Superstar Chris Jericho. Claiming to be seeking an immortality of a sort, Jericho proposed the MITB match, which originally took place at Wrestlemania.
The concept proved to be quite popular, with superstars like Edge and CM Punk unexpectedly cashing in to win the title. Now the MITB has evolved into its own pay-per-view and is one of WWE's most highly anticipated shows of the year.
Here is the current match card along with predictions and analysis of the potential fall out.
#1 Seth Rollins (C) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Universal Title
We begin our match listing and prediction with one of the most eagerly anticipated contests in pro wrestling. AJ Styles will challenge Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal championship at MITB. Styles won the right to face Rollins after winning a triple threat match and then defeating Baron Corbin.
Fans and critics alike have often predicted that these two would put on a barn-burner of a match. The parallels between AJ Styles and Seth Rollins are myriad and profound. Both men once held championships in Ring of Honor. The Architect and the Phenomenal One are also on the smaller side for WWE superstars, but more than makeup for it with agility and speed. When these two titans clash, who will walk out the winner?
Predicted Winner: Seth Rollins
While AJ Styles has a deeper move set and a speed advantage, Seth Rollins has proven he can defeat enemies of any size and shape. Also, after Rollins's decisive victory over Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 35, it feels like it's just the Architect's era and his reign won't be over in a mere month.
#2 Kofi Kingston (C) vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Championship
One of the best feel good stories to come out of WWE in a long time is the elevation of Kofi Kingston, first to the main event and then to the 'big belt' which had eluded him for his entire WWE career.
The story had a satisfying conclusion when Kofi Kingston knocked off Daniel Bryan to capture the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35. However, that fairytale ending could be spoiled by the big man from Canada, Kevin Owens.
Owens had been Kofi's ally, even becoming an honorary member of the New Day while Big E recovered from an injury. However, it was all a ruse by the clever Owens, who turned on Kofi and gave him a vicious power bomb on the ring apron. When these bitter enemies collide, who will win?
Winner: Kofi Kingston
It's way too early in Kofi's reign to drop the belt, and Kevin Owens has just returned from injury and the WWE will want to test him and make sure he's fully recovered before putting any titles around his ample waist.
#3 Becky Lynch (C) vs. Lacey Evans for the WWE Raw Women's Championship
"The Man" Becky Lynch made history at WrestleMania 35, first by being in the first women's match to main event the PPV, and then by winning both the SmackDown and Raw Women's Championships. There are many different directions WWE could go with the "Becky Two Belts" story line. Perhaps she will unify the titles, perhaps not.
She might hang on to both belts for a time, wrestling twice at every major show as Jay Lethal did for Ring of Honor when he held both the television and world titles simultaneously. Lynch faces a challenger who is very, very high on the WWE's list at the moment; Lacey Evans. Evans finally wrestled a match after many non performing appearances, knocking off Natalya to earn the right to a title shot. When The Man and The Lady collide, who will come out on top?
Winner: Becky Lynch
While WWE is obviously highly invested in Lacey Evans, she still needs time to grow into her character and get her feet wet on the main roster. If Lynch were to lose to Evans, it would be a major upset and quite a surprise.
#4 Becky Lynch (C) vs. Charlotte for the WWE Raw Women's championship
Lynch's second match of the Pay Per View will pit her against an old, familiar rival and former friend, Charlotte Flair.
The two have clashed repeatedly over the course of the last several months, with Lynch usually coming out on top. However, Charlotte can legitimately claim she was never pinned for her title, nor did she tap out to a submission hold.
This match will give fans a clear cut winner in their storied rivalry of Queen vs. Lass Kicker. Can Becky Lynch continue to hold off the advances of her greatest rival, or will Charlotte finally establish dominance over her hated foe, and win the title she never truly lost?
Winner: Becky Lynch. Charlotte has tried, and failed, to defeat Lynch ever since the Lass Kicker rose to the main event, and became WWE's most compelling character in the process. Wherever the WWE decides to take the "Becky Two Belts" story line, it's a good bet that they won't end the angle this early.
#5 Tony Nese (C) vs. Ariya Daivari for the WWE Cruiserweight championship
Tony Nese continues to do a stellar job of filling the big shoes of Buddy Murphy after the latter departed for the main roster. The talented young man faces the ferocious challenge of Ariya Daivari.
Daivari--not to be confused with his older brother, Shawn Daivari, who enjoyed his own WWE run years earlier--has proven to be a capable and worthy heel. Daivari makes a great foil to the honest and earnest Tony Nese. Can the newly crowned 205 Live Cruiserweight Champion of the world turn back the challenge of his fiercely determined rival at the MITB PPV?
Winner: Daivari
Cruiserweight title reigns tend to be short because the division is so incredibly competitive. Nese is capable, but he hasn't set the world on fire since his coronation, which lends creed to the theory of a Daivari win.
#6 The Miz vs. Shane McMahon in a Steel Cage match
The entire Shane McMahon and Miz feud, from their early days as a tag team to Shane's shocking heel turn, has been handled masterfully by the WWE. They have managed to generate a lot of buzz and excitement centered around a perennial mid carder in Miz and an aging part time wrestler/son of the company's owner and chairman.
Their match at WrestleMania 35 might have stolen the show, had the card not been so thoroughly stacked with other great bouts. The sight of the two men crashing down from a twenty foot fall will remain part of the WWE's highlight reels for years to come.
Even though Miz wound up drafted to Raw, Shane followed him to cause more problems, prompting Miz to make a final challenge--for a steel cage match. When these two bitter enemies collide, who will be left standing?
Winner: The Miz
Steel Cage matches tend to end feuds one way or the other, and it makes little sense to have a non-wrestler establish dominance over the full time performer.
#7 Samoa Joe (C) vs. Rey Misterio for the WWE United States Championship
Rey Mysterio's comeback with the WWE has been somewhat rocky. As of yet the Mexican man of mystery has not claimed a singles championship since his return.
That could change at Money in the Bank. After his quick and humiliating loss to the Samoan Submission Machine at WrestleMania 35, Rey Mysterio was gunning for revenge, and to rebuild his reputation. He accomplished this with a non title win over Joe, setting up their rematch for the US championship at Money in the Bank.
Will Rey Misterio be able to overcome the size and strength advantage of Samoa Joe? Or will he be just another victim of the Coquina Clutch?
Winner: Samoa Joe
Rey got his receipt for the beating he suffered at Wrestlemania 35, but with the title on the line Samoa Joe will be that much more crafty and ruthless.
#8 Roman Reigns vs. Elias
The WWE continues to develop Elias as one of its future top stars. The powerful and talented young man faces a tough challenge in the Big Dog Roman Reigns.
Elias and Roman Reigns have faced each other before, most notably for the Intercontinental Championship. Roman Reigns won that match, and Elias has been looking to settle the score ever since.
The build up for this match involved Roman Reigns attacking both Vince McMahon and Elias. Later, Shane McMahon teamed up with Elias, making fans and critics wonder if a feud between Miz, Elias, Shane, and Roman Reigns is being set up.
Regardless of future plans, can Elias pull off the upset win, or is a spear and superman punch his destiny?
Winner: Roman Reigns
This match is a quick, feel good story about Roman continuing to rebuild the momentum he lost after being forced to take a medical leave last year.
#9 The IIconics (Billy Kay and Peyton Royce (C)) vs. Asuka and Kairi Sane for the WWE Women's tag team championship
With the wrestling world still reeling from the unexpected title victory by the team of Peyton Royce and Billy Kay at WrestleMania 35. When The IIconics knocked off The Boss N Hug Connection of Bayley and Sasha Banks, they turned the wrestling world on its ear and now Sasha Banks is refusing to perform.
Given the poor reception The IIconics have received for their title reign, it's no surprise that WWE would look for a popular replacement to hold the titles. But can the newly minted team of Kairi Sane and Asuka take down the more experienced tandem of Royce and Kay?
Winner: Asuka and Kairi Sane
The IIconics haven't looked very good since winning the titles, having lost four matches in a row. With their weak booking and the fact that WWE seems heavily invested in the idea of the Asuka/Sane team up, look for new champions to be crowned.
#10 Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match feat. Alexa Bliss, Naomi, Natalya, Dana Brooke, Bayley, Mandy Rose, Ember Moon, Carmella
WWE received high praise when they announced that, after nearly a decade, there would finally be a women's Money in the Bank ladder match in 2018.
However, that exalted moment was marred irrevocably by the interference of James Ellsworth in the match. With Ellsworth now gone from the company--again--the WWE looks to redeem the women's MITB match with a fully stacked list of participants.
There are a lot of possible ways this match could go, with eight potential winners. But which woman will prove themselves superior and claim the coveted MITB briefcase and contract?
Winner: Alexa Bliss
After last year's debacle, don't expect Carmella to repeat her victory. Bayley, Natalya, and Dana Brooke are just filling out the numbers here, as none of them have built any sort of championship momentum. Ember Moon could be a dark horse, and that goes double for Naomi, but if you look at the field of contenders there's one who clearly stands out in front of the rest, and that's little miss Bliss herself.
#11 Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match feat. Ricochet, Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin, Finn Balor, Ali, Andrade, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton
The men's Money in the Bank Ladder match has several first time participants in Ricochet, Andrade, and Ali. With a field of talented contenders led by the Intercontinental champion Finn Balor, this one could be difficult to predict, and that's by design.
The unexpected replacement of Braun Strowman by Sami Zayn removes the original favorite to win the match, leaving the prize up for grabs. The question is, who will walk out of the MITB PPV with the guaranteed contract for a WWE Universal or WWE Championship title match, anytime, anywhere?
Winner: Drew McIntyre
The Chosen One seems to have the greatest momentum coming into the PPV. While Andrade has looked great, and the WWE is high on him, the clear cut front runner has to be the Scottish himself.
There you have it: Money in the Bank 2019 Start time, predictions, and analysis. Who is your pick to walk out as the winner? Please comment and let us know, and as always thanks for reading!
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
