Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte vs. Natalya vs. Carmella vs. Tamina – Women’s Money In The Bank ladder match

Background: This is the first ever women’s money in the bank ladder match. The top five women on the Smackdown roster vie for the title as Naomi, the Smackdown Women’s Champion has her own match later on. Carmella, Natalya and Tamina have been working as a group as of late as the welcome committee but tonight it is every woman for herself.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time five way match between these ladies.

Money In The Bank Record: Charlotte, Tamina and Becky Lynch are 1-0 at Money In The Bank whilst Natalya is 0-2. Carmella makes her Money In The Bank debut tonight.

Match: Carmella is joined by James Ellsworth as always. Four of the women leave the ring as the bell rings leaving Tamina to fight off anyone then tries to get back in. Tamina has the opportunity to set up a ladder but is too slow. It’s a chaotic start to the match but the crowd are behind Becky. There’s plenty of stiff ladder shots in this one, Tamina taking a few of those in the early going. Natalya powerslams Becky on a ladder, ouch. Natalya comes very close to retrieving the briefcase but Charlotte stops her with an electric chair drop. Charlotte and Carmella slug it out on top of a ladder until Tamina pushes the ladder over. Natalya locks a sharpshooter on Becky. Carmella uses the old Trish Stratus hurricanrana on Becky Lynch. JBL claims there are three 2nd generation superstars in this match but it’s actually four because Carmella is second generation too. Charlotte hits a big corkscrew off the top to the outside on Tamina and Natalya.

Becky powerbombs Carmella and then climbs up the ladder but James Ellsworth tips her off! Ellsworth then tries to revive Carmella before climbing up the ladder himself, unhooking the briefcase and throwing it down to Carmella! The bell rings and there’s silence. Referee’s discuss what to do and the crowd boo it. Ellsworth then makes the announcement that Carmella wins. Her music hits and I guess that’s the result. Controversy in the first ever women’s Money In The Bank ladder match!

Result: Carmella wins the Money In The Bank briefcase with help from James Ellsworth.

Review: This was a good match despite the finish. The ending has put a real dampener on it, especially considering this was the first ever women’s MITB ladder match. I quite like Carmella as the winner, especially with James Ellsworth by her side. I think there will be a backlash from this match though.

Rating: 7/10

The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) (c) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) – Smackdown Tag Team Championship match

Background: At Backlash, The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso) retained the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Breezango (Fandango and Tyler Breeze) and again in a rematch on the following episode of SmackDown. On the May 30 episode, The Usos declared that no team could defeat them. They were then interrupted by The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods), making their first appearance on SmackDown since they were moved to the brand during the Superstar Shake-up. A match was then scheduled between the two teams for the titles at Money in the Bank. The following week, after The New Day defeated The Colóns (Primo and Epico), The Usos came out and taunted them, calling The New Day old news. The New Day and Breezango then teamed up and defeated The Usos and The Colóns on the final SmackDown before Money in the Bank

Previous PPV matches: This is just the second ever PPV match between these two teams. The New Day beat The Usos back at Royal Rumble 2016.

Money In The Bank Record: Kofi Kingston is 1-4 at Money In The Bank, Big E is 1-2 and The Usos are 1-1.

Match: Jimmy Uso and Kofi Kingston start the match. This feels like two of the best tag teams of all time up against each other tonight. The New Day take the early advantage with some nice double teaming. The Usos take the advantage by low-bridging Kofi. The Usos hit a double suplex on Kingston into the ringpost. The Usos then keep the advantage, keeping Kofi away from Big E. Kofi makes the hot tag to Big E and it’s belly to belly city. Big E then hits a big spear through the ropes, taking Jimmy off the apron. Jimmy ducks trouble in paradise and hits a chop block. Jey then hits a big chopblock and locks on a single leg crab but has to break it up as Big E gets in the ring. Kofi then takes down Jey and locks on a dragon sleeper but has to break it up when Jimmy gets up on the apron. Kofi hits SOS for a near fall. Jey looks for a splash on Kofi but Big E catches him, drops him and then scoops him up and hits the big ending! It looks to be over but Jimmy breaks it up. Kofi hits the trust fall on both Usos and New Day hit the midnight hour before Jimmy breaks up the cover. The Usos then leave the ring and get counted out! The crowd are not happy again!

Result: The New Day win by count-out.

Review: This was a very good match until the finish. Let’s hope this isn’t the theme for the whole show. Two great teams putting on a great match. Some false finishes where I thought it might have been over a few times. But in the end The Usos got purposely counted out which means The New Day win the match but not the titles. This feud continues.

Rating: 7/10

Naomi (c) vs. Lana – Smackdown Women’s Championship match

Background: Lana asked for a title shot but was turned down, told she had to earn it. She would later come out and attack Naomi after a match with Tamina which led to Naomi demanding the match with Lana for tonight.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two girls.

Money In The Bank Record: Naomi is 0-1 at Money In The Bank, Lana makes her PPV in-ring debut tonight.

Match: Lana is vicious in the early going, taking Naomi down by the hair. Naomi quickly gets back into it though. It’s a first ever singles match for Lana. Lana counters a kick and then kicks Naomi to the outside. Lana hits a couple of suplexes and a back kick for a near fall. Lana works on Naomi’s leg. Lana hasn’t been bad to be fair. It feels like she’s been trained much better than some divas in the past. Naomi hits some big kicks to the side of the face and then the rear view for a near fall. Lana hits a sit-out spinebuster for a near fall. Carmella’s music then hits and out walks Miss Money In The Bank! She looks to cash in but then decides against it. Lana looks for a half nelson suplex but Naomi counters and locks on a submission and Lana taps!

Result: Naomi wins by submission.

Review: This wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be! There was a real possibility this could have been a stinker but it wasn’t that bad. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t good either. But there have been far worse matches. Lana was better than I thought she’d be and Naomi is always impressive. Naomi keeps her title and now has to look over her shoulder for Carmella.

Rating: 3.5/10

Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship match

Background: At Backlash Jinder Mahal shocked the world when he won the WWE Championship from Randy Orton. Randy has put it down to a fluke and gets his rematch for the title tonight.

Previous PPV matches: This is a second PPV match between these two men, Jinder won the first at Backlash.

Money In The Bank Record: Randy Orton is 1-4 at Money In The Bank, Jinder makes his MITB debut tonight.

Match: Randy is the hometown favourite and the crowd are definitely behind him. He goes for an RKO early on but Jinder escapes it. Orton takes the fight to the outside where he drops Jinder with a clothesline and intimidates the Singh Brothers. Back in the ring and Jinder back body drops Orton out of the ring which looks like it causes injury to Orton’s knee. There’s plenty of action on the outside and at one point Orton drops Jinder on the barricade and into the laps of the legends at ringside. Jinder goes right back to the injured knee. Orton attempts an RKO for the second time but against Jinder counters. Mahal then locks on a figure four with Ric Flair at ringside. Orton gets out of it but Jinder knocks him right back down. This match is very slow. Randy hits the hangmans DDT and then motions for an RKO before hitting it! He pins Jinder but one of the Singh Brothers puts Jinders foot on the bottom rope! Orton doesn’t want the DQ finish so the referee sends Samir and Sunil to the back. The Singh Brothers take offence to Bob Orton laughing at them and they grab him by his shirt! This causes Orton to go out of the ring and lay into The Singh Brothers! He hits an RKO on Sunil and then gives Samir an RKO through the announce desk! Orton gets back into the ring but Jinder hits him with the Khallas for the three!

Result: Jinder Mahal wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a slow match. The most exciting part was Randy laying into the Singh Brothers on the outside. Both Randy and Jinder tend to wrestle slowly so there was no variation of pace in the match. Jinder retains the WWE Championship and it’ll be interesting to see if he moves on to someone else or whether his feud with Orton continues.

Rating: 4.5/10

Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) vs. The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)

Background: A mystery team attacked Tyler Breeze backstage and trashed their office. We have now found out that it was The Ascension!

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two tag teams.

Money In The Bank Record: Fandango is 0-1, the other three men make their Money In The Bank debut tonight.

Match: Viktor and Tyler Breeze start the match and it isn’t long before all four men get in the ring. This allows The Ascension to double team Tyler. The Ascension have the advantage, making quick tags and double teaming Tyler Breeze. Konnor looks huge as he drops an elbow on Breeze. Fandango tags in and hits some chops and a spinning heel kick on Konnor. The crowd is dead. Konnor goes up top but Breeze knocks him off. Fandango then rolls Viktor up for the three!

Result: Breezango win by pinfall.

Review: Yeah this wasn’t great. It was short and it was what it was. Fairly pointless. Fandango looked great though, he is a really under-rated talent.

Rating: 3/10

AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler – Money In The Bank ladder match

Background: The six men were announced by Shane McMahon for the MITB ladder match and since then have taken part in various six man tag matches.

Previous PPV matches: It’s a first time 6 way between these men on PPV.

Money In The Bank Record: AJ Styles is 1-0, Sami Zayn is 0-1, Kevin Owens is 0-2, Dolph Ziggler is 1-5, Baron Corbin is 1-0 and Shinsuke Nakamura makes his MITB debut tonight.

Match: Baron Corbin attacks Shinsuke as he’s making his entrance, leaving him laying in the entranceway. The bell rings with just five men in the ring. It’s a fast paced match, Sami Zayn is bouncing all over the place. The crowd are definitely behind AJ Styles. He attempts a Styles Clash on Kevin Owens who back body drops him out of the ring. Owens goes to the top, presumably to dive out of the ring but Sami Zayn stops him and throws him into a ladder. Zayn is all alone and looks to setup a ladder but Dolph Ziggler stops him. I love AJ Styles’s low flying forearm. He hits that on Corbin. Zayn hits a huge sunset flip powerbomb off the top of the ladder on Ziggler. Zayn climbs the ladder but AJ knocks him off with a big phenomenal forearm! Sami hits Corbin with a helluva kick and then climbs the ladder but Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Owens stop him. Owens hits a big low blow on Zayn and climbs the ladder but AJ Styles stops him. Styles hits a big death valley driver on Owens on to a ladder! AJ climbs to get the briefcase but Ziggler takes away the ladder and AJ hangs from the briefcase. He eventually falls and splat. Baron Corbin then climbs the ladder but Nakamura’s music hit and Shinsuke walks out from the back! The crowd go nuts for Nakamura who takes out anyone moving! Nakamura and AJ Styles end up going toe to toe and the crowd love it. They both climb the ladder but Baron Corbin pushes it over and then climbs the ladder and gets the briefcase!

Result: Baron Corbin wins Money In The Bank.

Review: This was a great Money In The Bank ladder match. Six very talented men. I loved Nakamura’s late emergence. Baron Corbin is the winner and I’m not sure if this falls into the “good match but bad ending” bracket but it’s an interesting one. I don’t actually mind Corbin. It’s hard for everyone to get their stuff in with so many of them. But Corbin wins, beating 5 of the best talents in WWE history.

Rating: 8/10