Tonight, the WWE presents Money in the Bank 2014 live from the TD Garden in Boston in what should be a memorable night for the company. This year, two Ladder Matches will take place as eight men vie for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship and seven others battle for a contract good for a championship shot within the next year.
Dean Ambrose Discusses MITB, Shield Breakup
Through the years, the Money in the Bank Ladder Match has provided memorable moments and helped pave the way for WWE Superstars to etch out career-defining moments. Here is a preview, some rumors and predictions for tonights pay-per-view and WWE Network special event.
Top 5 Money in the Bank Ladder Match Winners
Singles Match: Rusev w/ Lana vs. Big E:
Ever since Big E lost the Intercontinental Championship, it seems as though things have fizzled out on the early part of his WWE career. The company has continued to push Rusev as an unstoppable huge Russian that can take down anyone, and that is likely to continue tonight.
The Pick: Rusev
Edge won the Initial Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania 21:
Tag Team Match: Goldust and Stardust vs. Ryback and Curtis Axel:
It has been reported that Goldust and Stardust (Cody Rhodes) are being given a test-run and that if Stardust takes off with the fans it would lead to a Tag Team Championship shot for the two at SummerSlam. While that's possible, there is also the possibility that the WWE will break them up and have them battle in singles competition at SummerSlam if the pair doesn't get over. While the company could hint at their falling out at tonight's event, it is likely the test-run will continue and Stardust and Goldust will beat Axel and Ryback to see just how over they can get.
The Pick: Goldust and Stardust
Rob Van Dam became Mr. Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 22:
Singles Match w/ Fandango As Special Referee: Summer Rae vs. Layla:
While this may not be the most entertaining feud, it has been going on for quite some time ever since Summer Rae debuted on Total Divas. This one can go either way with Fandango either helping Layla to win or accidentally costing her the match and helping Summer Rae win. The company wouldn't make Fandango the official if he didn't have a role to play, but it will likely be him accidentally costing Layla the match.
The Pick: Summer Rae
Mr. Kennedy won the Ladder Match at WrestleMania 23:
WWE Divas Championship: Paige (c) vs. Naomi:
There have been reports that Vince McMahon isn't high on Paige and that it could lead to her losing the title at Money in the Bank. Other reports have indicated that Cameron may be getting involved in this match. There are rumors that the WWE wants to split up Cameron and Naomi and it's possible that Naomi wins the belt here for the WWE to feature that moment on the next Total Divas season, leading into a feud with Cameron. While that remains a possibility, it is also an option for Cameron to interfere and cost Naomi the title to spark their breakup while Paige stands tall. It remains to be seen what will happen tonight, but Cameron is likely to get involved in the match.
The Pick: Paige
CM Punk became the first man to win back-to-back MITB matches at WrestleManias XXIV and XXV:
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan:
It has been an interesting feud with John Cena teaming up with The Usos to thwart off the entire Wyatt Family, and it remains possible that The Wyatt Family sweep Money in the Bank as Harper and Rowan could win the tag gold while Bray Wyatt could win the Ladder Match for the WWE Championship, though Wyatt probably isn't ready for a title run.
There were reports that The Usos would keep the titles and eventually lose them to The Ascension, who are expected to be called up from NXT and win the main WWE tag gold, meaning that The Usos would probably go over here. Still, that is just speculation and may not happen.
The Usos have had a nice run, but adding tag gold to The Wyatt Family legitimizes the stable and I believe that Harper and Rowan should and will win the titles.
The Pick: Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
Jack Swagger won the briefcase at WrestleMania XXVI:
Money in the Bank Ladder Match For Title Shot: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Bad News Barrett:
While Daniel Bryan's neck injury was bad news and killed some of his momentum, it did cause the necessity for two Ladder Matches this year. Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose seem to be the two most likely men to grab the briefcase and carry it around for up to the next year to pose a threat to the champion.
RVD, Ziggler and Swagger have won the match before which throws a wild-card into the festivities, but RVD is likely to continue being used solely to put other Superstars over while Swagger and Ziggler don't seem to be in the WWE's immediate plans for a push. Barrett is questionable for the match as the reigning Intercontinental Champion suffered a shoulder injury at the SmackDown tapings. Kingston will get his memorable spots in, but is also unlikely to win the match.
That leaves Rollins and Ambrose as the two most likely Superstars to win the match. There are theories that Brock Lesnar could swoop into the contest and win the briefcase to set up the rumored Lesnar title match at SummerSlam but him ending The Streak of The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX is enough of a reason for him to get a shot without a briefcase.
The WWE will likely use Rollins as a cocky heel that carries around the briefcase for the next few months, and he will be this year's Mr. Money in the Bank.
The Pick: Seth Rollins
Kane became the first man to win the MITB Ladder Match at the actual PPV in 2010:
Money in the Bank Ladder Match for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship: John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Kane vs. Cesaro vs. Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio:
This match is much better than the planned Stretcher Match between Bryan and Kane, but it is a shame that Bryan is injured and he is set to address his status and having to forfeit the title on the pre-show.
Kane and Del Rio are probably the two least likely ones to win the gold as Del Rio hasn't really been pushed that much by the WWE while Kane is 40 and is just used as another body in this match to pose a threat.
Cesaro is being pushed to the moon by the WWE, but it's too soon for the company to put the strap on him as they continue his slow build towards the main event level and they don't want to make the same mistake they made with Sheamus by giving him the title too soon. Sheamus is the United States Champion and will likely remain in the midcard, leaving the possibility of him leaving Boston with the title slim.
Wyatt and Reigns are two interesting candidates, but it's unlikely that the company is ready to put the title on either one, especially if they were just going to lose to Lesnar less than two months later at SummerSlam. Both men have bright futures in the company, but Reigns just started his singles push and Wyatt is one of the most dynamic heels but isn't groomed for a run yet.
Reigns is likely to battle Triple H at SummerSlam to continue his ascension to the main event ranks while it's unclear where Wyatt will go from here, though an eventual face turn has been rumored since the fans have taken to him.
That leaves Cena and Orton as the two likely candidates to win the match. Orton could very well walk out with the gold since he has The Authority and Triple H on his side, while Cena is the most likely choice given the fact that a DVD cover for SummerSlam was leaked by Amazon with Cena and Lesnar on it and the WWE wants to do a big-match main event for the biggest show of the summer.
There is always the possibility that two different people grab each one of the belts to set up another match at Battleground in July, but it remains to be seen if the WWE will go that route.
Unless the WWE gets bold and decides to launch the career of one of its young stars, Cena or Orton will leave Boston as champion. Given the fact that a young person would win the match only to possibly lose to Lesnar at SummerSlam, the WWE will likely go with a veteran.
The Pick: John Cena wins the WWE Championship.
Cena won the Ladder Match in 2012 for the first time:
It should be a memorable night and there is guaranteed to be a new champion when the WWE presents Money in the Bank live tonight from the TD Garden in Boston.
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