Opinion

Has WWE Forgotten The Point of Money In The Bank?

Published

7 years ago

May 29, 2018

I will be the first to admit that I LOVE Money in the Bank matches. I love gimmick matches in general, but Money in the Bank is a special thrill for me because the match used to be made up of young guys or guys that had tons of talent and just needed a leg up to get to the big dance, but lately it’s becoming clear, at least to me, that WWE has forgotten the point of Money in the Bank, and that is glaringly clear if you look at the field for the Women’s Money in the Bank match for 2018.

I’m going to say this right up front, I am a huge supporter of the Women’s Division. I’m also a big fan of them getting their own Money in the Bank Match, even with the WTF booking of last year. This year, I can’t say I’m thrilled with the line up and it’s not because I’m not a fan of most of the women involved, because I am, it’s because despite having seven extremely talented, and hungry, up and comers called up from NXT, the Women’s Money in the Bank line up is almost completely made up of former Women’s Champions (Yes, I’m including Ember Moon in that because she was NXT Women’s Champion). Lana is the only person in the line up that has never been champion.

Let’s look at the field:

Charlotte Flair: NXT Women’s Champion, Diva’s Champion, RAW Women’s Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion
Sasha Banks: NXT Women’s Champion, RAW Women’s Champion
Becky Lynch: SmackDown Women’s Champion
Alexa Bliss: RAW Women’s Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion
Natalya: Diva’s Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion
Naomi: SmackDown Women’s Champion
Ember Moon: NXT Women’s Champion
Lana

Seriously? With a group including: Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Dana Brooke, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, and Liv Morgan, WWE couldn’t think of a better field than seven former Women’s Champions and a manager turned sometime wrestler?

Now this problem was also true last year, but because MitB was a brand exclusive PPV, there was no way of getting around having former Women’s Champions in the mix because the pool of talent was small. WWE really doesn’t have that excuse this year, not with an available pool of around twenty women split between two shows. There’s no reason for this many former Women’s Champions to be in the match, especially when Charlotte, Alexa, and Ember were champions just a month or so ago and either lost their rematches clean or were called up. Natalya was champion six months ago.

Here’s how I think this should’ve been done:

Headliners: Charlotte and Sasha or Becky and Sasha. Charlotte vs Sasha is a rivalry that will always grab people’s attention and bring eyes to the match. Becky vs Sasha would reignite an old NXT rivalry that got cut short, in my opinion.

SmackDown: One member from IIconic and One Member from Absolution. I really don’t have a preference here, though I think Sonya would be my pick for Absolution if I had to make a choice.

RAW: Ember Moon and One Member from The Riott Squad. I’m a huge fan of Riott Squad, so I don’t have a preference, though I think Ruby would probably be the best pick for this match since she’s been on fire since their call-up.

How many is that? Six? Okay, so I would stop at six, personally, but since WWE’s field is eight women, we’ll do eight. I would put in either Naomi or Becky for SmackDown , and either Mickie James or Dana Brooke for RAW. Yes, I know that Lana and Alexa are being left out, but Alexa has had several long runs with the title and I don’t think Lana is really a good fit for this match.

To me, this is a better mix of veterans and up and comers. It gives the NXT call ups that haven’t been champion a chance to really shine.

Now, this problem of having almost all champions and almost no up and comers is also true for the Men’s Money in the Bank match. Checking that field, I counted seven former champions: Balor, Miz, Roode, Big E (NXT), Daniel Bryan, and Samoa Joe (yes, I know that Big E, Bryan, and Joe aren’t all going to be in the match, but the point stands) and only two guys who have never been a Heavyweight Champion: Strowman and Rusev. Yes, Balor’s championship reign only lasted 24 hours due to injury, but he was also NXT Champion for a very long time. I think they’re getting away with this because none of these guys have been Heavyweight Champion in at least a year, so it’s not as glaring as having three women who all lost their titles a month ago.

Like I said, I love Money in the Bank, but what I loved about it was that it was a career maker for a lot of guys who just needed a boost into the big dance, and it’s frustrating to see that WWE is using to keep the same people in the title picture instead of using it to build up young talent. Who knows, maybe we’ll get another shocker like last year.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

3 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Classic POD is WAR

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1