Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss is a history maker in her own right since coming onto the main roster just two years ago.  She was unseated as Raw Women’s Champion by Nia Jax at WrestleMania despite her efforts to keep the Championship around her waist.  Since then, Bliss has failed to retain the Raw Women’s Championship.

With Mickie James as an ally, Bliss will no doubt rely on her assistance in this match.  Of course Bliss doesn’t need James, but she is well known for her resourcefulness and ring awareness.  It will be interesting to see how Bliss adapts to the Money in the Bank ladder match.  Perhaps it could set the stage for an inevitable feud between the buddies.

I don’t think Bliss needs the briefcase as she’s been Champion previously.  If anything else, Bliss could use a new feud for the summer.  Whether James is a part of that puzzle or not is up in the air.  They were once enemies, which they will end up there once more.  Fans are hoping its sooner rather than later.

Becky Lynch

For me, Becky Lynch needs a change of scenery when it comes to her character.  An obvious fan favorite and highly popular, Lynch has been on a plateau for some time.  With her recent loss to Mandy Rose on Smackdown, one has to wonder what is next for Lynch if she does not win the briefcase.

With that being said, Lynch winning would be a big surprise.  I’m not against it, yet I am not for it either unless there is some sort of heel turn involved.  Call it an attitude adjustment or a change of heart, but perhaps winning the briefcase gives her a big head en route to Championship glory once more.  Fans would not be against a feud between her and Charlotte Flair either.  The stage could be set for that to happen or the IIconics might have more unfinished business with the two ladies.  The IIconics possibilities can certainly factor into Lynch’s journey to become Miss Money in the Bank.

Lynch is already an accomplished wrestler and certainly winning the Money in the Bank briefcase will be one more punch on the list of accolades for her.  I don’t think many fans want to see her win, and lose the cash-in attempt, which I am afraid that would more than likely happen.  It would do Lynch more harm than good in that case.

Natalya

As I stated earlier, Natalya comes into this year’s MITB match with the experience and the advantage of what to expect.  The former Smackdown Women’s Champion has more to prove now that she is on the Raw brand.  And while rumor has it that she may turn on Ronda Rousey – just how that factors in the outcome of the PPV itself will open up some interesting scenarios.

Say if Natalya did win the briefcase this year?  If Rousey – who has been challenged by Nia Jax for the Raw Women’s Championship – were to be victorious wouldn’t it be a massive moment if Natalya were to cash in the briefcase and defeat her?  To me, I think it would be a statement of epic proportions considering the fact that now all the MMA Horsewomen are under the WWE flagship.  It would be a hell of a start to the summer for the Raw Women’s Division with these two women.  While I’m not a fan of super pushes for those such as Rousey, this scene creates a story where she seeks retribution from being stabbed in the back by an ally.  With Natalya’s storied background, having her as a veteran in a big feud does many favors for Rousey.

If Natalya’s path goes in another direction, then I don’t see her winning the briefcase otherwise.  The turn on Rousey will happen sooner rather than later; I wouldn’t be surprised if Natalya catches the jealousy bug at the PPV and cost Rousey the Championship versus the previous idea above.  Nethertheless the PPV will be a good start for the women to build on their feud and take it on to SummerSlam.

Lana

Hot on the heels of Rusev Day is the Ravishing Russian herself Lana.  This was a big shock on Smackdown weeks ago, where Lana was able to overcome the odds that are the IIconics and pin Billie Kay to advance into this match (Also her first win).  If anything else, Lana is the wildcard factor in this match.  Again, Money in the Bank is the chance to make careers in which someone like Lana could benefit from.  It’s not like she would cash it in the same night – she would have the entire year to cash in the briefcase.

Some fans don’t take Lana very seriously in the ring just yet, but great careers don’t happen overnight.  Lana has been very vocal on her desire to get better in the ring.  With this new lease of life on her character, it will offer her more opportunities to get the experience she needs.  Lana has always been popular with fans since her arrival onto the main roster.  But many fans will no doubt be in shock if she ended up being the briefcase holder.  Wouldn’t it be something if she and husband Rusev both won their respective Money in the Bank matches?  It’s a fun idea but would it really work in the long run?  For now, it could be a good way to get the couple even more over than they already are.

I enjoyed the dance off between her and Naomi on last week’s Smackdown, and I could very well see these two continue to beef the next several weeks.  The balance of wrestling and fun doesn’t hurt considering that both share a dance background and Lana can definitely learn from Naomi.  Their bouts are not over just yet.  Overall, regardless if Lana is the surprise win or not, fans will still see her as the best and number one.

Ember Moon

A definite fan favorite going into this match, Moon has wowed the fans since her entry into NXT.  The former NXT Women’s Champion has much ring experience under her belt as she continues to build onto her WWE career.  She has yet to engage in a first feud on the main roster.  Perhaps this will start at Money in the Bank.  I don’t see Moon grabbing the briefcase, but I’ve been proven wrong before.

If Moon did attain the briefcase, it would be a rather interesting choice.  It would definitely a be “bide your time” scenario, as Moon isn’t the type of character to just run and cash it in.  Again, that might just change considering the hype and promise of the Money in the Bank briefcase.  It kind of makes you think that if money is the root of all evil, then what does that tell you about the briefcase?

Moon is a future Raw and/or Smackdown Women’s Champion, there is no doubt about that.  If her work in NXT is anything to go by, she has barely gotten started on the main roster.  For her, this is more of the beginning of what can be a great run in the company.  Money in the Bank is her chance to make a great impression on the main roster, with her easily getting a Number One contender’s spot in the future.

Charlotte Flair

The Queen is on a mission to become Champion once more, and the quickest way for her to do that is to become Miss Money in the Bank 2018.  Flair was cheated out of the Smackdown Women’s Championship thanks to the IIconics and Carmella, who ultimately cashed in her briefcase to defeat Flair.

Flair lost her rematch, and she more than likely has unfinished business with the IIconics Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.  But it’s not to say that she won’t win the briefcase.  Flair is one of the favorites to win this year, and the win would only add to the stream of accolades she’s already attained thus far with WWE.  More than likely Flair doesn’t win, but she goes on to face a newly crowned Champion Asuka for another showdown at SummerSlam – which is completely fine by me.  Does she need the Money in the Bank briefcase otherwise?  Of course not, but don’t underestimate the Queen when it comes to Championship gold.  Let me explain.

If Flair is anything like her father, she can definitely cash in her “playing dirty” card here.  If Flair did win, and Smackdown Women’s Champion Carmella somehow keeps her title, that thing called Karma could rear its head on the Princess of Staten Island.  Whether it’s on the PPV itself or a future Smackdown, Flair could take back her Championship just like how she lost it – by cashing in on a vulnerable Carmella.  Wouldn’t that be some sweet revenge?  Either scenario works for Flair, which is a great thing for her.

Naomi

Naomi has already had a great 2018 being the first winner of the Women’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania.  While that is a good accomplishment, her momentum has been at a plateau as well.  Perhaps we haven’t seen the last of what is in store for the former Smackdown Women’s Champion.  Known for her risk taking and athleticism, those two traits will definitely be big players in the Money in the Bank match.

With that being said, Naomi could very well be the show stealer in this match.  Fans certainly don’t need to underestimate her.  There is also the beef with Lana to contend with still, and that could play a part in the match as well.  With that being said, Naomi is the least likely to win the Money in the Bank briefcase.  If she did win however, she would be my pick to be the first to cash in and lose.

The concern with Naomi is after her and Lana are done with their program, what is next for her?  If Asuka does win the Smackdown Women’s Championship, could Naomi be one of the first to challenge the Empress of Tomorrow in her first main roster Championship defense?  Never say never in that case, but I would like to see some kind of follow up for her battle royal win.  If the company makes a big deal out of it, it should at least be followed up if it’s going to be a Mania mainstay.  That could be something to set up on a future episode of Smackdown, with Naomi citing the win as her reason to challenge Asuka.

Sasha Banks

The final entrant into the second annual Women’s Money in the Bank match is none other than The Boss herself.  Banks is no stranger to the risk taking and brutality that the Money in the Bank match is known for.  She wears her heart on her sleeve in these types of matches, and she will do whatever it takes to win the briefcase.

Out of the Raw ladies, Banks is my pick to win if Natalya doesn’t win.  Personally, I’d love to see a heel Sasha Banks in possession of the briefcase.  Banks could benefit from a heel turn either way, and there’s this feeling that things between her and Bayley are far from over.  It’s a slow burn in that aspect, but there’s so much going on the Raw brand that it is easily overlooked.  But all of this could be an easy fix.

After overcoming Ruby Riott in the gauntlet match, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her and Banks start a feud.  It’s a welcomed idea, and perhaps gives Banks and Bayley a chance to make things right in efforts to battle the Riott Squad.  This could also be a story going into SummerSlam, which is big for everyone involved.  Having a scene where they overcome or lose to the Riott Squad only for Banks to turn on Bayley would be great to see.  It would at least finally put a stop to all the Sasha vs. Bayley talk that has been all but quiet the last year.

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