Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Greg Coleman and Bodeen Green review WWE Money in the Bank 2021.
Money in the Bank is always guaranteed to be a strong show, and with the return of fans taking place over the weekend, it was sure ti be a slam dunk. How exciting was the men's Money in the Bank match? Were the World Championship matches predictable? Amd just what did we think of John Cena's return?
Question 1: How exciting was the men’s Money in the Bank match? Was Big E the right choice to win?
ALLSOPP: Thankfully, I had no connection issues during this match, so I was able to fully enjoy what was a spectacular contest. Although Big E may not have been as prominent as some of the other competitors, he stood out as a performer who truly deserved the victory. This was a victory that potentially signals the start of a new era for WWE, as Big E is such a beloved wrestler. I do not doubt that he will become a World Champion within the next 12 months, and considering how no-one else in the match would have needed the win as much as Big E, he became the standout choice for the briefcase.
COLEMAN: The men’s Money in the Bank match was great. I enjoyed the match and would’ve enjoyed it more, if not for stupid Peacock having issues, which is becoming the norm. There were great spots in the match, and everyone got their chance to shine. Big E was the best and right choice to win the briefcase, and he is a viable and credible opponent for either Roman Reigns or Bobby Lashley. He also has an indirect history with both men. Big E was the right choice, and I can’t wait for him to cash-in and level up to the main event scene.
GREEN: Thankfully, I live in Australia and have the original WWE network, so I was able to avoid any big streaming issues, which was great as this match was amazing. Whilst eight person ladder matches are hard to do, all of the competitors had a great showing, mixing innovative spots whilst still managing to use the ladders as a weapon, and not just a tool. Big E winning was a great choice, and whilst he could go over to Raw to cash-in on Bobby Lashley, it would also be great to see a feud with Big E and Roman Reigns, potentially involving The New Day as they have more chemistry with The Usos than a science fair!
Question 2: Did both of the World Championship matches have an air of inevitability regarding the result? Did this impact on your enjoyment of both contests?
COLEMAN: Both the WWE Universal Championship and WWE Championship matches had a foregone conclusion feeling to both of them. However, that didn’t impact my level of enjoyment for either match. Bobby Lashley effectively squashing Kofi Kingston and returning to the monster he was when he first won the title was refreshing, and this makes me excited for his future as WWE Champion. Roman Reigns vs Edge is a match of the year candidate, and those two put on an absolute masterpiece. Both matches delivered, and both champions shined!
GREEN: Maybe it was blind optimism, but I was actually a little split for the WWE Championship match. So I was completely shocked to get back from making lunch to see Bobby Lashley had beat Kofi Kingston with the Hurt Lock. Whilst a lot of people hated this, I loved it, as it was a great way for Lashley to regain his edge as he heads towards SummerSlam. The WWE Universal Championship match between Edge and Roman Reigns was also amazing, and whilst I think it was a little overbooked, it was still an amazing way to close out the night.
ALLSOPP: Yes, they were foregone conclusions, but that didn't greatly diminish the quality of either contest. Bobby Lashley is highly entertaining as the destructive and dominant WWE Champion that he has become, whilst Roman Reigns vs Edge was an absolute classic. Reigns, in particular, has proven how he is capable of stunning matches, with his heel persona giving him a much needed shot in the arm. So ultimately, despite the obvious nature of the results going into the matches, my enjoyment level was not impacted at all. Good wrestling is enough for me to come away happy from an event.
Question 3: What do you think of John Cena’s return at the climax of the show? How do you think WWE will book him over the remainder of the summer?
GREEN: John Cena’s return at Money in the Bank was amazing! It was the first time I’ve seen Cena get a full pop in the modern era without a large potion of the audience booing him. It was truly a magical moment. As we saw on Raw, few people can work a live crowd like Cena can, as he is one of the best on the microphone. Cena’s rivalry with Roman Reigns is sure to be amazing, and if Cena loses at SummerSlam, it will be the passing of the torch moment that WWE wanted at No Mercy a few years ago. As for the rest of the year after SummerSlam, I generally have no idea if he will stay in WWE or leave once again, using a loss at SummerSlam to write him of television.
ALLSOPP: I've missed John Cena. I truly have, and even though it is clear that he is only back in WWE for a cup of coffee, it promises to be a stunning experience for fans. Big Match John, as he was known before he went on his hiatus, will no doubt create magic in the ring with Roman Reigns, especially if they can channel the spirit of his Doctor of Thuganomics persona. WWE will undoubtedly book him strong in order to make Reigns look even stronger, and in all honesty, I'm down for that. It was a stellar way to end the show, and that pop alone was enough to justify it.
COLEMAN: I think John Cena coming out at the end of Money in the Bank was a great moment, and the fans made it much better. What a pop! I think Cena won’t wrestle a match until he wrestles Roman Reigns at SummerSlam. There will be some great back and forth on the mic in what will be one of the best built feuds and matches heading into SummerSlam, but there ain’t no way Reigns is losing the title!
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
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