Welcome to this #MoneyInTheBank edition of #MattPredicts where we look at the Raw side of the card (excluding the MITB Ladder match). We’ll look at both sides of the coin and see if we can come up with some conclusion and prediction for who should walk out victorious.
If you want to check out #MattPredicts (Part One): The Smackdown Side – CLICK HERE NOW!
Bobby Lashley vs Sami Zayn
Why Should Lashley Win?
Lashley’s first PPV match since returning to WWE – he needs the win, badly. Without the win, it makes a mockery of his WWE return. Some people thought that Lashley would go into a higher level feud. Maybe with Strowman or maybe even straight to Lesnar. However, he got Sami Zayn. Not that Zayn isn’t a good wrestler, Zayn would make me look good. The storyline for me has been far too TNA Lashley and not WWE Lashley. I really hope that this is the first and last match in this feud. If Lashley doesn’t get the win, then he will stay in the mid-card for the next few months until something else crops up. That will harm Lashley and will be the waste of another talented individual.
Why Should Zayn Win?
I don’t understand Zayn’s position in WWE at the moment. He is one of the most talented wrestlers but gets pulled in more directions than a driver on the M25. One of the best wrestlers on the roster and he gets put in this “storyline” with a returning former WWE Champion. It makes me scratch my head, a lot. Zayn needs to win to put himself back amongst the upper mid-card. He should be chasing the champion, going after the number 1 contender spot (remember when that used to be a thing?). Saying that Zayn is where he is at the moment and we have to deal with that. Zayn needs to pick up the win and move on to a new feud. Will that happen? Who knows.
What Will The End Result Be?
Lashley needs the win in his re-debut WWE PPV. Zayn needs the win to show he can beat the strongmen of WWE. Both need to get the win. However, I think the end result will be a Lashley finish. I also think that this is the first and last match we need from these two. With that in mind, Lashley should get a clean win over Zayn. Where that leaves Zayn, who knows. He needs some help, fast.
Matt Predicts: a clean win for the returning Bobby Lashley over the luckless Zayn.
Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs Ronda Rousey
Why Should Jax Win?
With Jax winning the belt at WrestleMania, WWE has had a legit bad-ass as Women’s Champion. Plus, how the angle was booked, it made sense. However, since then, I question Jax’s booking. Things aren’t seeming quite right with her. Jax should get the win so she can establish herself as champion. Beating the newly honoured UFC Hall of Famer Rousey would go a long way to do this. Yes, Rousey has had only one match, but she is one of the most well known WWE wrestlers. Male or female. Giving her a 5-6 month run as champion can only help her and Raw. It could also lead to some interesting developments…
Why Should Rousey Win?
Everyone was shocked by how well Rousey coped at WrestleMania. I honestly thought that it would be a car crash and that Angle and Triple H would be carrying the match. The reality, however, is the opposite. Rousey was fantastic. You could not tell at all that she was making her WWE in-ring debut. WWE will want to push Rousey, and Rousey as champion this early on in her WWE stint would send a message. Rousey as champ would also go to nullify some of the Lesnar related damage. She could easily hold on to the title, defeating all comers until Asuka comes knocking at her door.
What Will The End Result Be?
Personally, I think it’s too soon for Rousey to hold the belt. Similarly, Jax needs to build herself up as champion. Therefore, I make the bold prediction that Jax retains. I could easily see a heel turn from her, with a McMahon related run-in during the match. Sorry Ronda, maybe in a few months.
Matt Predicts: Nia retains the title, turning heel at the same time.
Roman Reigns vs Jinder Mahal
Why Should Roman Win?
The idea for Roman winning against Mahal is to try and get him some pops from the crowd. That’s about it. Mahal has no form or pedigree. There is no push for him, he’s just been picked as a heel for Reigns to wrestle. The Vince McMahon hype train wants Reigns as champion, but they know it won’t go over well. It’s not that Reigns is a bad wrestler, it’s just that he has been pushed down our throats. If Reigns is going to be the champion again, then he needs PPV wins. If he is going to stay as a face, he needs PPV wins. When/If Reigns wins, that once again sets up (another) match vs Lesnar in the future.
Why Should Mahal Win?
Mahal is stuck at the moment, and really needs a win against someone like Reigns. However, that won’t be happening any time soon. Since losing the title, Mahal has had no direction. He’s been pushed and pulled in different storylines to no great effect. Some say that he is worse off now than before he won the belt. Mahal has a lot of potential, but it’s being squandered, a lot, recently. He has the typical WWE look and feel of a champion. His current character is an interesting one to watch at the moment too. As a result, he should be booked well. Who knows, in the long run, he might. Jinder needs to get back on track and a victory against Reigns would do him amazingly well.
What Will The End Result Be?
I would honestly love to see Mahal getting the win, but I only saw Reigns getting the pin. Mahal needs it, Mahal wants it and Mahal deserves a big PPV win. The only way I see Reigns losing is if someone comes and causes a DQ. That’s it. Vince loves Reigns, so Reigns winning is the only conclusion that can be offered. I really, really hope I’m wrong with that.
Matt Predicts: Reigns marches on to SummerSlam to face Brock Lesnar after beating Mahal.
Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins vs Elias
Why Should Rollins Win?
For me, Rollins has done what is needed to be done with the Intercontinental Title. He has brought back some prestige to it and has made it his own. Coupled with the stellar matches he has had, he has defended it consistently. Additionally, he has put over talent whilst defending it. As a result, he has been everything a champion should be and should do. Ultimately, losing the title isn’t going to hurt him at all.
Why Should Elias Win?
Elias is on a streak right now. He is hot, he has the crowd and can work the mic. Couple that with his in-ring skill, he makes sense to be the IC Champion. From time to time, WWE has wrestlers who are hot and they get put in the fridge. Meanwhile, those gimmicks and characters get lost. Occasionally they put the rocket on someone and they fly. Elias needs to fly. He is a future WWE Champion and will be in the main event scene. Here and now is where he should make the next step.
What Will The End Result Be?
Hopefully, the start of a long reign for Elias. He needs the win (and the belt) more than Rollins. If Seth can put him over cleanly, this will only but help him. Given the place where Elias is now and where he needs to go, a victory for him at Money in the Bank is what he needs. A win for Rollins would make no sense and de-rail Elias’ push.
Matt Predicts: Elias pins Rollins to become the new IC Champion.
Make sure you come back tomorrow where #MattPredicts: The Money in the Bank Ladder Matches
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