By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

Tonight WWE premieres its first ever Money in the Bank PPV, yet another in a long series of revamped PPV concepts based on singular, gimmick-heavy match types. The lineup appears solid on paper, and the build-up has been buoyed by the fresh Nexus invasion angle.

The show will comprise two Money in the Bank matches, two world title matches, both the Women’s and Divas’ Championships, and a Unified Tag Team Title bout. Seems to be a pretty hefty card at a glance, but what stands out most prominently about tonight’s event? What has WWE done right on TV leading up to--and in attempt to sell--this pay-per-view?

The Nexus invasion unquestionably remains the hottest storyline in the company. However, notice that it’s an auxiliary arm to the company’s established feuds. WWE is playing it brilliantly. The Nexus is a militant group that has wreaked havoc on Raw the past few weeks by banding together and pilfering Raw’s roster one by one. Their reliance on the so-called numbers game and their pure loyalty to each other are what make them so intimidating.

Sure the downside will be a lack of individuality, as viewers naturally lump them together as a team force. But on the upside, it masks their weaknesses. Let’s remember that Nexus is a group of rookies who have just stepped onto the big stage and into the spotlight. They are better off as a dangerous group looming on the sidelines and influencing storylines one way or the other rather than being directly involved themselves.

Notice the PPV lineup. No Nexus members have been booked--that will all come later. For now, their presence splinters the roster, forcing certain enemies into unwanted partnerships (Cena/Sheamus). It also disorients everyone. Do heels flock to the aid of babyfaces against an outside force? Are babyfaces more worried about heels or Nexus? Can heels trust Nexus since their victims tend to be babyfaces?

A similar formula plays out on Smackdown as Kane takes center stage in his quest to find the Undertaker’s attacker and avenge his brother. But Kane, of course, has nothing to do with tonight’s World Title match featuring Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger. It’s a side story that hopefully adds a new dynamic to the Mysterio-Swagger rivalry rather than detracting from it with the incorporation of predictable events, like a possible interference by Kane in the title match.

As for the MITB matches, Raw’s clearly stars more top-tier players--namely Orton, Edge, Jericho. But the mix for both spectacles appears intriguing. Viewers are left to wonder which match will be more exciting: the one with more veterans who are out to show what their experience brings to the table or the one with more up-and-comers who are out to make a name for themselves and perhaps try to steal the show.

Also of interest, WWE booked two one-on-one women’s matches. Eve will challenge Alicia Fox for the Divas’ Title, while Kelly Kelly competes in her first-ever Women’s Championship bout against Layla. Usually WWE alternates these titles for each of their PPVs. Could this be the start of something new? If both matches last only a couple of minutes and end anticlimactically, viewers will wonder why they even bothered when a single, longer, more engaging divas’ matchup would have hit the mark. Unfortunately, with such a stacked card, it’s hard to believe these matches will be more than simple bumpers between major gimmicks.

And wrapping things up, let me crown “Dashing” Cody Rhodes with the Most Improved Character of the Month. I’ve been a harsh critic of Cody since Legacy disbanded and he moved to Smackdown. He was generic and flavorless. The new character upgrade, however, is impressive. His infatuation with himself can almost make you sick. It’s cringe-inducing. The whole mirror bit, the repetition of the term “dashing,” and his incessant bragging takes Cody Rhodes to another level. His narcissism now dwarfs Ted DiBiase’s greed.

Feel free to send any comments and questions to newthtorch@gmail.com

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