LECLAIR’S WWE MONEY IN THE BACK 2023 REPORT: Alt perspective, detailed coverage of men’s and women’s MITB, Bloodline Civil War, Rollins vs. Balor, more

LECLAIR’S WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2023 REPORT
JULY 1, 2023
LONDON, ENGLAND AT THE 02 ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.), WWE NETWORK (Int.)

Announcers: Michael Cole & Wade Barrett

-A London-themed opening video package ran through the show’s major matches

-The camera stared up at a massive ladder, then panned out to show the sold out o2 Arena. Michael Cole welcomed the audience to the show then quickly laid out to allow Mike Rome to introduce the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

“It’s fight night!” Michael Cole exclaimed as Butch made his entrance first to a big reaction from the crowd. He was flanked by Sheamus and Ridge Holland. They left him at the curve of the entrance way. Next, the crowd sang Shinsuke Nakamura to the ring. A wid shot of the arena from the east side of the ring showed off the impressive crowd. Santos Escobar entered to a decent reaction. Damian Priest and Ricochet were out next. L.A. Knight followed to a massive pop. Logan Paul was out last to a chorus of boos. Cole noted that the other competitors are angry with Paul for not having to qualify.

(1) BUTCH vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs. SANTOS ESCOBAR vs. DAMIAN PRIEST vs. RICOCHET vs. L.A. KNIGHT vs. LOGAN PAUL  – Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match

Logan Paul was surrounded by the other six competitors as soon as the bell rang. They pounced, beating him down in the center of the ring and tossing him to the outside. The remaining six quickly paired off and battled through the ropes and around ringside. Logan Paul was the first to return to the ring with a ladder in tow. Shinsuke Nakamura cut him off quickly. Damian Priest returned to take down Nakamura and knock him from the ring using the butt of the ladder.

Butch, Santos Escobar, and Ricochet worked together to isolate Priest in the corner. They trapped him against the turnbuckle with a ladder strung through the middle rope. L.A. Knight rejoined the fray and gave Butch a DDT to a massive reaction. Shinsuke Nakamura took down Knight, then delivered a leaping knee from the middle rope to the still-trapped Priest. Ricochet and Nakamura, the only two to have previously competed in MITB, battled briefly. Butch hit the ring and traded quick strikes with Shinsuke. Escobar caught Nakamura with a cross body from the top rope. His advantage was short lived as Paul tossed him into the propped ladder.

Paul set up the ladder and began to climb as the match crossed 3:30. Within seconds, a cavalcade of wrestlers entered the ring and stood below Paul. They ripped him from the ladder and beat him down a second time. Butch headed outside the ring and retrieved a pair of tables. He also pulled out a cricket bat, much to the crowd’s delight. He beat Knight and Ricochet with it before trying to climb a ladder. Priest cut him off. Butch clotheslined Priest to the outside. Priest popped up and caught him with a stiff rolling elbow. Damian went to knock out Paul, but Logan begged him off. “Me and you, we can work together!’ he pleaded. Priest seemed to agree. They retrieved the two tables and set them up at ringside.

“They’ve already been ganged up on by the rest of the field!” Wade Barrett correctly pointed out. Paul asked Priest for a high five after they slid the tables together. Priest punched him in the face and tossed him over the steel steps. “You deserve it!” the crowd shouted. Santos Escobar dove through the middle rope onto Priest. In the ring, Ricochet dove through a ladder to the outside, taking out a field of wrestlers below. L.A. Knight was left alone in the ring. He started to climb, but Paul cut him off with a Russian Leg Sweep. Paul cracked Knight with a ladder, then drove it into Butch’s ribs. He delivered a guillotine to Priest, then tried to dive onto him. Priest caught him with a big forearm.

Priest turned the steel steps on their side and bridged a ladder on top of them and the ring apron. Nakamura lifted Priest onto the make-shift bridge. He climbed to the apron, but Paul grabbed his leg and swept him face first onto the edge of the ring at 8:35. Paul climbed to the apron himself and delivered a frog splash onto the bridged ladder and Priest. The ladder didn’t budge, causing Paul to bounce violently. Priest coughed and gasped for air.

Nakamura and Ricochet entered the ring with a tall ladder. They traded punches. Ricochet tied up Shinsuke in the rungs. He tried to slam him with another ladder, but Shin ducked. The ladder wound up bridged between a rung and the rope. Nakamura gave L.A. Knight a DDT, then a sliding snap German Suplex to Ricochet off the bridged ladder. Santos Escobar climbed the tall ladder and was the first to get a hand on the briefcase. Nakamura cut him off. Santos knocked Shinsuke to the mat. Butch climbed the side side Escobar occupied. He applied a sleeper hold and dragged Escobar down to the propped ladder. Ricochet hit a springboard 450 splash onto both men. Everyone bounced to the mat.

All seven men slowly rose to their feet in the ring for a reset moment. Bedlam ensued. Butch was the first knocked to the outside. Damian Priest was left alone to climb the ladder while other wrestlers fought in the corner. Knight was the first to catch him. He backdropped Priest off the ladder. Paul hit knight with a Blockbuster. Ricochet hit Paul with a 450. Escobar dropped Ricochet. Nakamura caught Escobar with a flying knee. Butch dragged Nakamura to the floor. Butch climbed a ladder stationed at ringside. He hit a Moonsault onto a waiting field of wrestlers below as the match crossed 14:00.

The Brawling Brute rushed into the ring to climb the ladder. Logan managed to cut him off halfway up the climb. Paul was quickly thwarted by Ricochet with a series of rapid kicks. Paul caught Ricochet with a right and dropped him. Escobar gave Paul a leaping kick into the corner, followed by a running knee. Santos was left alone to climb. He got a hand on the briefcase again, but Shinsuke grabbed his leg. Nakamura began climbing. Escobar rushed up the opposing side. L.A. Knight. returned with a ladder. He used the butt of it to knock Nakamura down. He set it up adjacent to Escobar and began climbing. They traded punches atop the ladders. Escobar gave Knight a Hurricanrana off the ladders. Shinsuke and Santos climbed. They grabbed at each other’s hair. Logan Paul and Ricochet springboard dove off opposing sides of the ring to meet Nakamura and Escobar on the ladder. All four men were within distance of the briefcase. Ricochet got a hand on it. Knight knocked over Escobar and Nakamura’s ladder. After a brief struggle, he did the same to Paul and Ricochet’s.

Paul and Ricochet caught themselves on the top rope as the ladder teetered. They nearly fell, but managed to hold onto each other to to execute a rough looking Spanish Fly off the ropes and through the two tables at ringside. Back in the ring, Butch and L.A. Knight climbed the ladder. Knight set up Butch for a Superplex. Butch snapped Knight’s fingers. Butch had a handle on the briefcase. Priest leapt up to play spoiler. Butch stretched Priest’s fingers, too. Priest grabbed Butch by the throat and tossed him backward off the ladder. Butch crashed into a propped ladder in the corner.

Knight pulled Priest from the ladder. He tossed him out. Santos returned and battled with Knight, but Knight tossed him too. Nakamura entered and got tossed by Knight. Each time, the crowd’s elation and anticipation grew. Knight climbed the ladder. Priest returned to meet him at the top. He gave Knight a Broken Arrow off the ladder. Priest climbed the ladder and retrieved the briefcase.

WINNER: Damian Priest in 20:27

Priest celebrated with the briefcase. The camera caught the disappointment from the other wrestlers, who were strewn about at ringside. Paul was bleeding pretty heavily from his shoulder area.

(LeClair’s Analysis: This was on the highest end of men’s Money in the Bank matches in quite a long time. Each of the seven wrestlers felt like they got ample time to showcase themselves, and the lack of a clear winner coming into the match made it fun to guess when the finish might come. The crowd was rabid and red hot from bell-to-bell, setting up an infectious atmosphere that elevated the match to even higher heights. There’s no question that Knight was the crowd’s heavy favorite here, even booing other babyfaces that they genuinely liked when they would thwart Knight’s attempts to retrieve the briefcase. While I think he would’ve been a lot of fun with the briefcase, I at least appreciate the fact that they gave him several near-victories toward the end to not only rile up the crowd, but build some heat on Priest for his eventual win. Logan Paul continued to shine, not only as a big spot-machine, but someone who can simply go with other talented wrestlers. The most impressive moments from Paul came not during his crazy stunts, but rather, the way he assimilated himself as viable and believable wrestler throughout. That brutal Spanish Fly spot near the end with Ricochet was nearly disastrous, and certainly very dangerous. I’m not even sure the match needed it, which is saying something. Great stuff.)

-After a break, the Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Champions headed to the ring for their defense. Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan followed. Liv was sporting Spice Girls-inspired gear, as noted by Wade Barrett.

(2) RONDA ROUSEY & SHAYNA BASZLER (c) vs. RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ & LIV MORGAN – WWE Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Championship match

Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey began the match. Morgan quickly knocked Ronda to the outside, then gave Baszler a kick to the floor to join her. Rodriguez entered the ring to Powerbomb Morgan over the top rope onto the tag champions below. It didn’t take long for the champions to recover, though. Rousey tagged in Baszler. She took down Morgan, folded her arm and stomped on her elbow. Morgan screamed in agony. Baszler tagged out.

Rousey whipped and dragged Morgan around the ring by the now-injured arm. She gave her a violent toss to the corner and tagged Baszler back in. Shayna continued to work on the elbow, applying an arm lock and settling into the mat as the match crossed 3:15. Morgan managed to fight free with an arm drag. She rushed to her corner, but Baszler still managed to cut her off. Liv met a charge from Baszler with a boot to the face. She dumped Shayna into the ring post. Morgan crawled toward Rodriguez again. She kicked Shayna away, inadvertently sending her flying right to her partner. Rousey tagged in and picked Morgan’s ankle.

After a brief struggle, Liv turned Rousey into a school-girl for a two count. She hit Rousey with a Codebreaker and used the opportunity to reach Raquel for a hot tag. Raquel gave Rousey a Fallaway Slam. Baszler entered the ring and got one too. She gave Ronda a spinning Powerslam for a cover and two count. She sent Ronda toward the corner. Rousey countered her and lifted her to the top turnbuckle. The two women battled briefly on the top and middle turnbuckle. Rousey went for a hanging arm bar, but Raquel deadlifted her up and into a sit-out Powerbomb from the top rope for a near fall.

Raquel reached Morgan for a tag. Rousey tagged Shayna. Liv dove from the top rope, but Shayna picked her out of the air into an arm bar. Rousey entered the ring and applied an ankle lock at the same time. Rodriguez rushed back into the ring to break the holds at 6:30. Liv caught Baszler with a step-up enziguri. On the outside, Rousey ripped Raquel from the apron just as Morgan reached for a tag. She tossed her into the ring post. Morgan looked for Oblivion on Shayna. Baszler countered into a German Suplex. Baszler swarmed Liv’s back and locked in the Karifuta Clutch. Morgan managed to battle out of it after a struggle.

Baszler tagged in Ronda Rousey. She stalked the injured Liv Morgan. Shayna attacked her partner from behind. She put her in the Karifuta Clutch. Baszler left the ring as Liv Morgan watched in horror. Rousey screamed out for Baszler, confused. Rodriguez gave Ronda a slam, setting her up for Morgan to hit Oblivion for a cover and three count.

WINNERS: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez in 9:02 to win the WWE Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Championships

(LeClair’s Analysis: Huh. Consider me stumped. There was no indication whatsoever that this was coming. The crowd wasn’t clamoring for a big singles run for either of these women. The team with Rousey was finally allowing Shayna to find her footing on the main roster. This just felt like a swerve for the sake of a swerve. I don’t get the sense that the crowd has any interest in cheering Ronda Rousey, and Baszler’s character and presentation certainly isn’t conducive to working as a babyface. This is just a puzzling move all around. The match itself was fine. Nothing particularly notable from either side.)

-Backstage, Kayla Braxton introduced Damian Priest. She asked him his plans for the contract. Priest said it’s a lot to think about. He contemplated cashing in for the Intercontinental title, the U.S. title, the World title, and finally, the Undisputed title. “I like that one,” he concluded. He said what’s certain is that he’ll win whatever title he challenges for.

-After a quick break, Matt Riddle headed to the ring. Cole and Barrett talked over clips explaining the on-going story between Riddle and the Intercontinental Champion. Ludwig Kaiser stood in the aisle way with Giovanni Vinci and introduced Gunther. He headed to the ring to a strong reaction. Cole noted that Gunther is in the midst of a historic title run, with only a couple still ahead of him.

(3) GUNTHER (c) vs. MATT RIDDLE – WWE Intercontinental Championship match

Matt Riddle came at Gunther quickly. He was taken down with a quick slam. Gunther tossed him toward the corner. Riddle was slippery enough to escape and fall into an arm hold over the ropes. The referee broke it up at at 4. Riddle re-entered the ring and was immediately dropped by a massive chop. The champion tossed Riddle to the corner and gave him a trio of hard chops to the chest, which had already turned bright red. Riddle battled out of the corner with kicks to the mid-section. He hit a rolling pop-up clothesline to take Gunther off his feet.

The champion recovered quickly. He tried to clothesline Riddle, but the challenger rolled under and picked the champion’s ankle. Riddle struggled to take Gunther off his feet. The champion broke the hold with minimal struggle. Riddle peppered Gunther with more kicks, but had his leg swept out from underneath him. Gunther then went to work on the taped ankle of Matt Riddle. He removed some of the wrap and began stomping at it. He twisted it between his own ankles. Cole noted that Gunther has never lost a singles match on the main roster.

Riddle caught Gunther with a Final Flash pump knee, rocking the champion. He shook it off and gave Riddle a release German Suplex, then immediately went back to work on the ankle. The crowd built into a “Gunther” chant. Riddle slapped helplessly at Gunther’s chest. Gunther gave him one of his own. Riddle finally kicked free with his free leg. He dropped Gunther with a Dropkick, then went for a Broton. Gunther caught him in a Sleeper. Riddle managed to pull Gunther’s hands apart and roll through the hold just past 5:00. Gunther went for another German Suplex. Riddle flipped through it and landed on his feet, but his ankle gave out. Gunther caught him with a massive lariat and covered for a near fall.

Riddle struggled back to his feet. He managed to take Gunther down again with a knee strike and climb to the top rope. Riddle hit the Floating Bro for a cover and two count. Both men rose slowly. Gunther dropped his challenger with another massive chop. He climbed to the top rope and dove for what looked like a headbutt. Riddle spread his legs and caught Gunther in a triangle choke. Gunther struggled for a moment, but then deadlifted Riddle into a stack Powerbomb for a cover and two count. Gunther immediately turned Riddle over into a single leg crab. Riddle managed to twist himself free and kick himself to his feet.

Gunther held onto Riddle’s ankle. He chopped it repeatedly, then ripped Matt to the mat. Gunther applied a fully wrapped ankle lock and Riddle tapped out almost immediately.

WINNER: Gunther in 7:44 to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Gunther held up the title just as the sound of a swiping blade rang out. Drew McIntyre’s music hit and the “Scottish Psychopath” marched to the ring with purpose. The crowd popped big. Cole said the rumors of McIntyre’s demise in WWE are not true. Drew stepped in the ring with a smirk on his face. He took a defiant step toward Gunther and got in his face. Gunther palmed his whole face away. McIntyre gave him a Glasgow Kiss. He shook the ropes and led the crowd in a countdown. McIntyre gave the champion a Claymore and kipped to his feet to a massive reaction. He slowly picked up the Intercontinental title and held it high above his head.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Solid match, as Gunther title defenses typically are. Riddle seemed to be the least competitive challenger for Gunther in a while, perhaps even more so than Ricochet. His stock seems to have fallen considerably in recent months, and that includes in the eyes of the fans. The affable love he used to receive seems to have dwindled. It’s no surprise that Gunther was the favorite in London, but the crowd reactions to this point would’ve made me think Riddle would have also received a strong response. Instead, it just felt like respectful acknowledgment. I thought they told the story of the angle well, with Gunther working hard at the injured ankle and Riddle trying to fight valiantly through it, eventually succumbing not to a Gunther finish but a continued assault to the injured appendage. McIntyre’s post-match return was the real highlight, with a massive star reaction and a moment that felt decidedly big. McIntyre vs. Gunther seems like a great time.)

-Cole and Barrett tossed to a break, or video package for Cody Rhodes vs. Dominick Mysterio if you’re a Premium subscriber.

-Dominick Mysterio headed to the ring with Rhea Ripley. Cole said that Dominick was walking around the back telling people he was arrested for jaywalking and “had to spend the night in the tower of London.” Dom was wearing purple ammo belts around his neck. The deafening boos turned into massive cheers as “Kingdom” hit. Cody Rhodes entered to his usual pomp and circumstance. The crowd sang every word of the theme.

“I don’t know that we’ve ever had someone who screams ‘star’ as much as Cody Rhodes,” Wade Barrett said. Cole said Cody has become the “United Kingdom Nightmare” for Dominick tonight.

(4) DOMINICK MYSTERIO (w/ Rhea Ripley) vs. CODY RHODES

Dominick Mysterio climbed the turnbuckle and posed for the crowd as soon as the bell rang. They pelted him with massive boos. He returned to the center of the ring to lock up with Cody Rhodes. Dom caught Cody with a quick cheap shot to the jaw for more heat. Cody shrugged it off and began chasing Dom around the ring. Mysterio slid under Cody’s legs and slapped him in the face. Rhea laughed maniacally from ringside. Cody looked around at the crowd, then ripped off his cast. Dom was horrified. He left the ring and began running up the ramp. Rhodes gave chase.

Cody caught up to Mysterio before the entrance curve. He grabbed him by the hair and dragged him back to ringside, tossing him in the ring and stomping him out. Cody gave Dom a running Powerslam and then set up for Cross Rhodes at just 2:30. Dom dropped to the mat and slid out of the ring quickly to avoid it. He leapt into the crowd and tried to escape again. Cody gave chase and caught up quickly, dragging him back to the front and tossing him to the ringside. Cody went for a Suplex on the floor, but Dom slid out of it. Rhea Ripley got in Cody’s face and begged him to hit her.

Meanwhile, in the ring, Dominick Mysterio removed a turnbuckle. This distracted the referee long enough for Rhea to pull Cody from the apron. Dom used the opportunity to dive through the middle rope, sending Rhodes crashing into the announcers desk. Mysterio tossed Rhodes back into the ring and hit him with rapid fire punches. He shoved Rhodes to the floor and slammed his head repeatedly into the announcers desk. Ripley clapped and cheered. Dom slid back in the ring as the referee counted Cody. Ripley got in Rhodes’ face.

After answering the count, Cody went for a backdrop on Dom. He flipped out of it and dropped the American Nightmare with a back elbow for a cover and two count at 5:30. Dom applied a side headlock and dropped Cody to a knee. The crowd sang to Cody. Dom taunted them, then initiated the Three Amigos Suplexes. Cody blocked the third and dropped Dom with a stalling front Suplex. Cody hit the ropes and caught Dom with a quick open shoulder tackle. He sent Dom flying to the corner, then fired up. Cody leapt off the middle rope and connected with a Disaster Kick for a cover and near fall. Dom writhed around on the mat as Cody set up for another kick, or perhaps a cutter. Ripley leapt onto the apron to prevent it.

Dom gave Cody a dropkick into the middle rope. He went for a 619, but Cody caught his legs and pulled him up and into a spinning Alabama Slam. Rhodes delivered the Cody Cutter, then called out. He hit the Cross Rhodes for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 8:38

(LeClair’s Analysis: This was just about everything it should’ve been. A decent 8-or-so minute encounter that never felt in doubt. The crowd wanted to see Dominick get beat up, and Dominick got beat up. What little offense Mysterio managed was due to interference or distraction from Rhea Ripley. Often times, WWE books matches like this to go 60/40, or even 50/50. That shouldn’t have ever been the case here. A quick in and out, with a dominant performance and clean win from Cody is exactly what needed to happen. While it’s not the most satisfying match from a wrestling standpoint, it accomplishes everything it needs to from a storyline perspective.)

-The camera panned around the lower bowl of the 02 Arena as a lull settled in. It was brought to an abrupt and loud halt as John Cena’s music hit. John Cena emerged from the tunnel entrance and ran to the ring to a massive ovation. Cole’s voice nearly cracked with excitement.

“Surprise!” Cena began. He said he’s surprised, because he’s used to hearing “John Cena sucks.” He showed love to the crowd for instead singing his theme. He reminded the crowd that it’s the first Premium Live Event in London in over twenty years. Cena said he’s wondering what took them so long to spend some time in London. “Look around!” he chuckled. Another massive, impressive wide shot punctuated a loud “Cena” chant.

Cena said the “decision makers” don’t necessarily know how to feel about London and may see them as a hostile environment. He said they’re known for distractions and taking over the show. Cena said they don’t know what they’re talking about. He called them the voice, the heartbeat, and the show. Cena turned the page, wondering aloud why he’s there. He said he wants the world to know that London is underappreciated.

“I’m here tonight because I’m big on respect, and all of you have earned my respect,” Cena said. A loud “thank you Cena” chant broke out. He turned the mic to the crowd. Cena said he wants to endorse WrestleMania in London. He told the crowd to “let them” know what it would sound like. Grayson Waller’s music cut him off. He said he’s a big fan of Cena and has seen every one of his movies. He pretended to tear up over John’s performance in Scooby Doo. Waller said he’s disappointed that Cena is out there lying to people. “WrestleMania in England? You’ve gotta be kidding me, lad!” Waller said they cheer the people they’re supposed to dislike, and boo the people they’re supposed to like. He knocked London weather and said that if WrestleMania is to go international, it needs to be in Australia.

The crowd booed him. The crowd chanted “wanker” at him. Cena encouraged it. Waller said he could John a spot on the show. He noted that Cena’s recent history in the ring hasn’t been very successful. He offered Cena help in saving his career. He pitched an episode of the Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena at WrestleMania Australia. “Maybe you can get the Grayson Waller hometown rub,” he surmised.

Cena recapped the idea. “I’m gonna pass,” he said. Cena began leaving. Waller stopped him, saying no one turns down his show. Cena repeated the “spending a little time with his friends” line from the recent viral video of him. He continued to push for WrestleMania in London. Waller attacked him from behind. Cena shrugged it off and gave him an Attitude Adjustment before leaving to a big ovation.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Weird segment. Seeing Cena in this environment was a cool moment, and it certainly felt special for the London crowd. The content of the promo, though, was puzzling. Cena worked hard to sow seeds of discontent with an audience that is largely fully aligned with WWE’s current plans. This is the first time in years that there isn’t a blanket of audience rejection covering virtually everything WWE does. The reason these international crowds were so hostile in the past was because they were seeing a poor product, one that they had to wait a long time to get in their country. That’s not the case right now. The product is hot, the shows are hot, and the fan’s visions are largely in line with the company’s. There’s absolutely zero need to reference “bizarre-o world” when the whole concept is irrelevant right now. I understand that it was a way to build anticipation to him endorsing WrestleMania in London, but he could’ve easily done that without all the the counterproductive stuff before it. Just an odd choice all the way around, only exacerbated by Waller unnecessarily turning Australia into a heel for the purposes of playing foil to Cena.)

-Cole tossed to a video package for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

Samantha Irvin introduced the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Bayley was out first. Irvin erroneously identified her as part of Judgment Day. Io Sky followed her. Bayley looked back toward the entrance with some hesitation. Zelina Vega was out next to a solid reaction. Cole mentioned that it’s her second time in a MITB match. Zoey Stark and Trish Stratus followed. The latter received a strong reaction of mostly boos. Cole and Barrett noted that, despite having the longest tenured career of all the women, Stratus has never competed in a ladder match.Becky Lynch was out last. The crowd happily sung along to her theme.

(5) BAYLEY vs. IO SKY vs. ZELINA VEGA vs. ZOEY STARK vs. TRISH STRATUS vs. BECKY LYNCH  – Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match

The match kicked off almost immediately, with Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark meeting Becky Lynch in the ramp way to attack her. They tossed her into ladders and the crowd barrier. Back at ringside, Zelina Vega caught Bayley with a Meteora off the apron and onto the floor. Io Sky used a ladder to drop Vega, then pin her under the ladder. Zoey Stark and Trish Stratus returned to ringside to toss Bayley into the ladder pinning Vega.

Sky flipped off the apron, but Stark picked her out of the air and dropped her. Vega was still comically trapped, despite having plenty of leverage to escape. Becky Lynch returned and slammed both Stratus and Stark into the ring apron. Trish recovered and used the propped ladder to climb into the ring. Stark retrieved the ladder, finally freeing Zelina. The heel duo set up the ladder in the center of the ring. Trish climbed while Zoey played defense. Damage CTRL entered the ring and knocked the ladder over, sending Trish bouncing off the top rope and rolling to the floor. The crowd sang to Bayley as the match hit 3:00.

Zelina Vega and Io Sky tussled near the corner. Bayley told the crowd to shut up. They did not. Vega dumped Sky in the corner and gave Bayley a basement dropkick. She climbed the ladder. Sky grabbed her leg. Vega kicked her away and hit a Hurricanrana off a middle rung. Vega began another ascent. Bayley cut her off. She pulled her underneath the ladder and she and Io took turns pulled her shoulder into the frame of the ladder from one side to the other. Bayley and Io re-positioned the ladder and began to climb opposing sides. Becky Lynch flew at them with a missile dropkick off the top turnbuckle, sending both women crashing to the mat.

Lynch and Stark battled in the center of the ring. Becky tossed Stark through a low rung on the ladder and pounded away at her. She applied a Disarm-her. Stark screamed in pain, but was quickly saved by Trish Stratus. The veteran tossed Lynch aside and helped free Stark. She then kicked Vega away. She began to climb the ladder with Io Sky on the other side. Trish knocked Io off with a Trish Kick. Zelina Vega set up a ladder next to Trish. She kicked at her and used her body as a bridge to climb onto the ladder positioned near the briefcase. Vega climbed, but Stark cut her off. Lynch returned to knock other competitors away.

Becky wound up alone atop the best-positioned ladder. Bayley climbed the adjacent ladder to meet her. She tossed Becky to the mat, then gave her a big elbow off her ladder. This left Sky alone to climb. Meanwhile, Vega and Stark did battle below. Stark took down Zelina, then worked to pull Io’s ladder away from the briefcase. No longer able to reach the prize, Sky instead decided to deliver a Moonsault off the ladder onto a group of waiting wrestlers below as the match ticked past 8:00.

Trish Stratus returned to the ring alone. She dragged the ladder into position and climbed the ladder, getting a hand on the bottom of the briefcase. Lynch shot up the ladder to meet her. Stratus looked horrified. Becky gave her some quick punches. Stark tried to climb Becky’s side. Lynch kicked her away. She shoved Trish to the floor, then jumped down and hit a double axe handle on Stark. Vega climbed a ladder and Lynch a diving cross body. Sky went for a leaping kick off the top rope, but Zelina ducked her. She tossed Io to the outside and began climbing the ladder again. Trish and Becky momentarily worked together to give Sky a double Powerbomb off the ladder. The two stared each other down and then came to rapid blows.

Stratus and Lynch traded turnbuckle blows and more punches until Bayley and Io returned to the ring with another ladder. They slid the butt of the ladder at Lynch, but she moved. The ladder got bridged between another ladder and the middle rope. Stratus delivered Stratusfaction to Becky. Stark retrieved handcuffs from underneath the ring. She and Trish beat down Becky on the floor. Trish choked her violently. Stark got one handcuff on Lynch’s wrist, but couldn’t close the other around the turnbuckle. Becky fought her off and tossed her to the barricade. She cleared the barricade and played to the crowd. Stark and Trish overwhelmed Becky. They tried to hit her with a ladder, but Lynch ducked. She tossed Stratus over the announce desk and slammed Stark onto the ladder.

Zoey was draped across the bridged ladder. Lynch climbed onto the announce desk, but Trish was there to meet her. After a brief struggle, Lynch gave Stratus a Man-Handle Slam off the announce desk and onto the bridged ladder. Stratus bounced to the floor in a heap. Stark caught Lynch with a rolling neckbreaker off the ladder. Back in the ring, Zelina Vega climbed a ladder. Zoey Stark rushed in to catch her. The two battled atop the ladder. Vega flipped over Stark and connected with a Code Red off the ladder and onto the bridged ladder below. Both women bounced violently to the canvas.

Io Sky returned to the ring alone at 15:40. She cleared the wreckage of the bridged ladder and began climbing the other. She looked poised to retrieve the briefcase, but Bayley toppled the ladder over. She looked conflicted. Barrett said it was instinct. Cole said she screwed her partner. Bayley began climbed, but Becky Lynch ran up the opposite side. Becky stuck the open handcuff in Bayley’s mouth and used it to drag her down off the ladder. Bayley broke free and climbed again. Sky grabbed Lynch’s leg. Becky fought her off. Sky grabbed Lynch’s free handcuff and locked it around Bayley’s wrist, trapping them both in the middle of the ladder. Sky climbed right over Bayley to the top of the ladder to retrieve the briefcase.

WINNER: Io Sky in 18:04

(LeClair’s Analysis: Another really good match, and on the high end of women’s MITB matches. The offense was innovative, fast, and focused. I liked the attention paid to the ongoing rivalry between Lynch, Stark, and Stratus. The handcuff bit has been overdone in the past, so I thought putting a twist on it where the babyface fights off the attempt was smart and effective. Stratus took some serious bumps that looked great and were sold well. I thought the finish, in particular, was wildly creative. After Bayley cost Sky her shot moments before, Io made the smartest play of the match. It was a great continuation of the failed usage of handcuffs earlier in the match, and climbing over Bayley to retrieve the briefcase was a particularly fun touch. Io is a great choice for a fascinating run with the briefcase, but I’m certainly surprised that they opted to go with someone who feels like a legitimate chance to take a title. Given that the women’s MITB holder has never failed a cash-in, I thought for sure they’d put the briefcase on someone who would make a lot of sense to come up short. Perhaps that’s still Io, but, of all competitors in the match, she truly seemed least likely to fit that bill.)

-Cole tossed to a video package for the World Heavyweight title match.

-Finn Balor entered first, wearing a new hooded leather jacket and purple and black mask. Cole said that Finn has been waiting for this moment for seven years. The crowd began singing Seth Rollins’ theme before it even began to play. Once it did, the collective voice ratcheted up in intensity. The World Heavyweight Champion danced into view and and the entrance way. His music stopped as he stepped onto the apron, allowing the crowd to serenade him A Capella.  Balor looked in with contempt. Samantha Irvin provided Championship introductions.

(6) SETH ROLLINS (c) vs. FINN BALOR – WWE World Heavyweight Championship match

As the bell rang, Michael Cole noted the tape on Seth Rollins’ ribs. He said that Balor attacked Rollins as recently as last night at a live event in Newcastle. Both Seth Rollins and Finn Balor stood stoically across from one another for a moment. Balor was the first to move, charging and driving a knee right into the tape on Rollins’ ribs. Seth collapsed. Finn went on the offensive, stomping Rollins quickly. Seth used the ropes to pull himself up and toss Balor to the outside for separation. He dove through the middle rope onto Balor, clutching his ribs as he sucked in air.

Rollins smashed Balor’s head off the announce desk then tossed him back in the ring by the ears. Finn went to spear him off the apron, but Seth leapfrogged him and came down on the back of his head with a leg drop. Back in the ring, the two traded quick take downs. Rollins went for the stomp, but Balor easily evaded. He dropped Rollins and delivered the double stomp to the injured ribs. Rollins covered up his stomach, but Balor stayed vigilant in his pursuit.

Balor locked in a rear chin lock briefly, then drove an elbow into the champion’s back. He covered Rollins for a one count at 3:00. Balor drove Rollins rib first into the turnbuckles. He taunted the crowd, then walked Seth to the adjacent ropes. He delivered elbows to the kidneys, then twisted Rollins up into the ropes. Balor placed a pin-point boot right into the ribs of Rollins, sending him tumbling to the floor. Balor continued his assault on the outside. Cole noted that Finn has to be careful to not be disqualified or counted out due to champion’s advantage.

Finn tossed the champion back in the ring before too long. He cornered him and drove his shoulder into Rollins’ ribs repeatedly. Cole said that Rollins is already gasping for breath. Finn whipped the champion to the opposing corner and delivered another shoulder. He tried a second time, but Seth flew out with a spinning clothesline in desperation. The camera pulled back for Cole to reset the scene. Balor and Rollins traded punches in the center as the match ticked past 6:00. Rollins got the better of his challenger with forearms to the ear and jaw. Balor slumped over. Seth kicked him in the face repeatedly, then delivered a modified Backbreaker and knee to the face. Barrett said that Rollins doesn’t even have it in him to make a cover.

Seth used the ropes to steady himself. He set up shop in the corner and prepared for the Stomp. Finn telegraphed it and rolled him into a small package for a two count. The two met on their knees. Rollins invited Balor to attack. The Prince obliged. He dropped Rollins again, then set up for and executed a Sling Blade. Finn charged for the signature corner dropkick, but Seth popped out and caught him with a kick. He gave Balor a Buckle Bomb into the corner. Cole mentioned that it’s the same move that injured Finn in 2016.

Both men fought to their feet. Finn managed to shove Rollins away and kick him into the corner. He set up for the Coup De Grace, but Rollins leapt to the top rope to meet him. Finn shoved him back to the mat and looked for it again. Rollins moved. Finn rolled out of it. Rollins rolled him up for two. Balor bounced to his feet with a Pale Kick. Rollins shrugged it off and hooked Finn in to deliver a Pedigree for a cover and near fall. Damian Priest ran down the ramp and circled ringside.

With Priest watching intently, Balor rolled Rollins up for a surprise two count just before 11:00. Rollins kicked Finn to the mat, then left the ring to challenge Priest. Damian set up a folding chair and sat down next to the announce desk. With Rollins distracted, Finn burst into frame with a brutal missile dropkick that sent Seth crashing into the timekeeper’s barricade. Balor jumped onto the desk and delivered a Coup De Grace. He quickly tossed the champion into the ring and hit his signature turnbuckle dropkick. Balor set up for another Coup De Grace. Just before the dive, Priest rose to his feet. This distracted Balor. He snapped out of it and jumped, but Rollins rolled out of the way. He quickly hit Balor with the Stomp for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Seth Rollins in 12:31 to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

After the match, Balor argued with Priest at ringside as Rollins held the title above his head.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match, but it never really felt like it moved into high gear. Just as these two started to really get going, Damian Priest came to ringside and the situation quickly devolved into a “will he or won’t he” deal, as they often like to do with the briefcase winner. Despite doing a pretty good job building Balor up in anticipation, once it came time for the match, he wound up feeling a lot more like a villain of the month instead of a viable challenger for Rollins’ title. Solid action, but it just didn’t feel like there was much meat on the bone here.)

-Michael Cole announced that Edge will appear on the Grayson Waller Effect on this Friday’s Smackdown live from Madison Square Garden.

-After a break, Cole plugged the Money in the Bank press conference, set to begin immediately following the event.

-Kayla Braxton approached Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who were seated in a luxury box atop the 02 Arena. She congratulated them on a successful title defense against Pretty Deadly on Smackdown. Owens said it’s been great to be in London. He talked up the results so far and thanked the crowd for being so electric. Kayla said there’s one match to go, and she suspects they’ll be watching very closely. Sami said it’s a very personal match to him, and one he’s been waiting to see for a long time. The crowd started a “Sami” chant.

Zayn said he thinks tonight is the night that Roman Reigns gets exactly what’s coming to him. They played Zayn’s music and the crowd sung along as the champions held up their titles.

-Cole and Barrett plugged SummerSlam in Detroit and announced that Rhea Ripley will defend her Women’s World title against Natalya on Monday’s Raw. They then tossed to a video package for the main event.

Out of the video, they displayed a tweet from Roman Reigns saying he planned to “smash ’em, spike ’em, stack ’em and win.” The Usos headed to the ring first to a strong reaction. The crowd sang along to their theme. Barrett said the Usos didn’t become great until they linked up with Roman Reigns.  He said they won’t be the same without him. Cole barked back at him, calling it “fake news.”

As the Usos sauntered around the ring, a hush fell over the crowd. Roman Reigns’ music hit and the boos erupted. The Tribal Chief emerged from the tunnel, flanked by Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman. Heyman clutched the WWE and Universal titles around his chest while staring at Reigns reverently. Roman and Solo threw up the “one” as fireworks shot from the rafters. Cole said that the last time Reigns was pinned or submitted was on December 15th of 2019, three and a half years ago. Barrett said he transcends mortals.

Cole said that Reigns may have a lot  on his mind – the fact that the Usos planted seeds of doubt regarding Solo’s loyalty, and the fact that there’s now a Money in the Bank briefcase out there with Priest mentioning Reigns as a potential target. Barrett downplayed both. Mike Rome introduced the match.

All four men stood in the center of the ring, locked in a staredown. The referee pleaded with them to separate and take their places in respective corners.

(7) THE USOS (Jimmy & Jey) vs. ROMAN REIGNS & SOLO SIKOA (w/ Paul Heyman)

“F— you Roman!” the crowd chanted as the champion took his place on the apron. Solo Sikoa began the match with Jimmy Uso, who pointed and laughed at the chants directed toward his cousin. Solo stood relaxed as Jimmy sized him up. They engaged in a lock up. Solo tossed his older brother clean across the ring into the corner. Jimmy smirked, then retreated to his own corner to talk to his twin. Jey gave him some instructions. The crowd continued to insult Roman.

Solo gave Jimmy a big body slam. Jimmy pulled himself to the corner and used the ropes to stand. He talked to Jey again. Jimmy sold the slam to his back as he circled around Sikoa. Jimmy ducked a punch from solo and hit him with a set of three big chops. Solo teetered, but quickly regained his footing and threw his full weight behind a chop of his own. It slumped Jimmy into the ropes. Solo stepped backward and Jey kicked Solo in the back of the head. Jimmy rushed to his corner and tagged in his brother. The Usos double-teamed Sikoa briefly. Solo recovered and looked poised to strike. “No!” Reigns screamed from his corner. Solo stopped in his tracks.

Roman Reigns demanded a tag. After momentary hesitation and a brief stare down, Solo obliged. Reigns slowly entered the ring as the match crossed 4:30. Roman adjusted his pants. Jey took off his wrist tape and arm sleeve. Roman tightened his bright red glove and shook his head at the increasing volume of the crowd. Reigns grabbed a headlock on Jey, shot him to the ropes and dropped him with a tackle. He got in Jimmy’s face on the apron and shouted “the only one!” The referee stopped Jimmy from throwing hands.

The Tribal Chief turned around to a waiting Jey Uso, but quickly overcome his offense and dropped him again. Reigns worked Jey to the ropes and dropped him to the apron. “It’s easy,” he told the crowd. He brushed his shoulder off. Jey caught himself on the ropes off of an Irish Whip. Jimmy tagged himself in. The Usos threw a tandem Superkick, but Reigns ducked it and slid to the outside to regroup. He talked with Paul Heyman. Paul asked Roman if he wants his sons to sit around the table with “head” Jey Uso. Reigns grew incensed. He climbed back in the ring, talking trash. Jey tagged back in.

Reigns worked Jey to the corner and pummeled him. The referee got in between them. “Don’t touch me!’ Reigns yelled. He raised a fist to the official, but thought better of it. This lapse in attention allowed Jey to recover enough to toss Reigns to the corner. He mounted him for rapid punches. Reigns tossed him away at eight and began stomping at his chest. The referee admonished Reigns again. Reigns got in his face, allowing solo to choke Jey in the corner as the match approached 10:00. Reigns tagged in Solo Sikoa.

Sikoa gave Jey a series of headbutts, leaving Jey dazed on the mat. He clutched the trap muscle and applied his upper body weight to Jey’s shoulders. Jey managed to fight to his feet and catch Solo with a Jawbreaker. Jey made a tag. Jimmy climbed to the top rope and leapt, but Solo ducked him. Sikoa caught Jimmy with a back elbow that flattened Uso. “Jimmy may be out!” Cole exclaimed. Solo paced around the ring while Dan Engler checked on Jimmy. The crowd began singing to Reigns. He turned to them in anger and eventually dropped off the apron to talk with Heyman. “England is the dumbest place of all time. A bunch of idiots,” he told Paul.

In the ring, Solo continued to beat down Jimmy Uso. He looked to Roman for advice. The champion instructed him to continue the punishment. Solo threw his arms back and hit a violent running hip check to Jimmy in the corner. The crowd began singing (positively) to Solo Sikoa. He largely ingnored them. Solo draped Jimmy against the middle rope, then tagged in Roman Reigns. Roman dropped to the floor and hit Jimmy with a Drive-By. He slid in the ring and covered Jimmy lackadaisically for a two count at 14:30. Another loud “f— you Roman” chant broke out. Reigns shook his hand and stomped at Jimmy.

The champion worked Jimmy to the corner, hit him with some punches and then dropped him with a forearm for a cover and two count. He tagged in Solo. Solo stalked his brother, again wrapping his claw around Uso’s neck and shoulder. Jimmy fought to his feet and sent Solo toward the ropes. Roman made a blind tag, but Jimmy didn’t see it. Uso tossed Solo outside the ring and went to tag his brother. Roman cut him off, dragging him back to the heel corner. Jimmy kicked Roman away and stumbled toward Jey, but Solo ripped him off the apron at the last second. Reigns dropped Jimmy from behind.

“When the Usos stop doing their job, you upgrade,” Barrett said in response. Reigns tossed Jimmy to the floor, then distracted the referee. Solo clotheslined Jimmy on the outside. Reigns retrieved his former cohort, then played to the crowd as Jimmy dragged himself up. Roman cocked a fist and charged. Jimmy ducked the Superman Punch and threw his whole body into Reigns, causing both men to tumble over the top rope and to the floor.

Jimmy returned to the ring first. He crawled slowly toward his twin. Reigns returned and tagged in Solo, but not quick enough to prevent Jimmy from reaching Jey. Jey caught Solo with a kick, then a step-up enziguri. Solo stumbled to the corner and the crowd came to life. Jey charged, but Solo tossed him to the apron. Jey recovered and hit Sikoa with another kick, followed by a top rope cross body for a cover and two count just before the 20:00 mark. Sikoa rolled to a seated position in the corner. Jey called out to the crowd. He delivered the running hip check.

Jey tried it a second time, but Solo flew out of the corner and lifted Jey onto his shoulders. Jey slid free, but Solo stumbled into the waiting tag of Roman Reigns. He tossed Solo to the outside. He speared Reigns to the floor. Jey hit running dives through opposite middle ropes, taking down both Sikoa and Reigns. He looked for a second on the Tribal Chief, but Reigns picked him out of the air with an uppercut. Back in the ring, Roman sized Jey up and dropped him with a Superman Punch. He pulled back for the Spear. Jey rose slowly, but Jimmy tagged himself in. Reigns didn’t see it. He charged at Jey. Jimmy stepped in and the Usos hit Reigns with a double spear. Jimmy covered, but Solo saved the match for he and Reigns.

All four men rose to their feet slowly in a stalemate. The Usos drew a figurative line in the sand and then everyone came to blows. Jey and Solo spilled to the outside. Legal men, Jimmy and Roman battled in the center. Jimmy went for a kick. Roman caught it and spun him around. He hit a Superman Punch, but didn’t get the full wind up. He covered Jimmy for a near fall. Reigns held his head in his hands, kneeling on the mat. He told the crowd to shut up.

Reigns threw back his arms and called for a Spear. Jimmy caught him dead to rights with a Superkick instead. Reigns staggered. Jimmy hit another one. Jimmy climbed to the top turnbuckle and went for a splash. Reigns caught him in the Guillotine right in the center. Jimmy flailed, then began to fade. The referee raised his hand, but Jimmy held on. Heyman looked shocked. Jimmy used his lower body to power to his feet and force Reigns into the corner. He tagged in Jey. Reigns elbowed Jey off the apron.

Uso and Reigns got tangled up, toppling over Engler. Jey entered the ring. Jimmy hit a Superkick on Reigns. The Usos dropped Roman with the One-D. Jimmy covered for a visual win, but there was no referee. The Usos climbed opposite corners of the ring. Solo Sikoa knocked Jey from his. Reigns stood and pulled Jey down. Reigns and Solo hit the Usos with tandem Uranagis. Solo gave Jimmy a Spike. He held Jey up for Reigns. He and Roman hit a tandem Spear and Spike. He dragged Jimmy on top of Jey and let Reigns go for the cover. The referee crawled into position. Both Usos kicked at two. The crowd exploded.

Roman was in complete disarray. He seemed to be near tears. “What are we gonna do?” Heyman yelled from ringside. Solo moved back into frame. He began viciously punching his brothers. This snapped Reigns back into focus. He helped Solo toss Jimmy to the outside. Sikoa cleared off the announce desk. “Destroy him!” Reigns shouted. Solo superkicked his older brother onto the desk as the match ticked toward 30:00. Jimmy lay prone on the desk. Solo climbed the barricade and looked to his cousin before throwing out his arms. He dove, but Jimmy rolled out of the way. Solo crashed through the desk.

“The Usos have an opportunity!” Cole exclaimed. Back in the ring, Jey gave Roman a Superkick. Reigns shrugged it off and gave Jey a Superman Punch. Jey hit another kick. Roman stumbled back into the ropes and charged forward with a Spear. He covered, but Jey just managed to kick out at the last possible moment. A replay showed that Jey delivered a low blow on the kick out. Back live, The Usos hit Reigns with multiple, double Superkicks. Solo jumped on the apron. They Superkicked him, too. They gave Reigns one more kick.

Jimmy tagged Jey. Jey climbed to the top rope and hit the splash for a cover and three count.

WINNERS: The Usos in 32:26

Jimmy slumped in the corner, nearly in tears. The crowd erupted. “Roman Reigns is not unbeatable!” Cole yelled through a cracked voice. The Usos shared a big hug in the middle of the ring as the crowd sang their theme song. Paul Heyman looked on in horror. The Usos slumped against the ropes, overcome with emotion.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Man, what a story. They took a risk going extremely heavy-handed in the slow, prodding build for nearly twenty minutes, just teasing the crowd into a frenzy and building toward the massive concluding minutes. As usual, the facial expressions and body language by everyone involved elevated this to a completely different level, drawing upon the layers and layers of complex storytelling to create another masterful performance. Though this seemed like the obvious time for Reigns to take a fall, he’s truly become so unbeatable that there were several moments that seemed the catch the crowd buying into a false finish hook, line and sinker. When the Usos were able to clear Solo and began hitting Superkicks on Reigns, the realization settled in but didn’t ruin the moment. The pop for three count, rivaled only by Jey kicking out of the Spear, was chill-inducing. Jey is now firmly in place as Roman’s next challenger, and they’re going to tell a hell of a story. The only knock worth mentioning is that the camera failed to catch the low blow, a small miss that WWE rarely makes in these Bloodline matches where everything has its place and catching the intricacies are crucial.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: A good show made drastically better by an electric crowd ready to eat everything up. I thought both Money in the Bank matches delivered in spades, and the main event proved every bit as emotion provoking and entertaining as the countless other chapters of the Bloodline story. The undercard felt a bit underwhelming, with a seemingly senseless turn from Shayna Baszler on Ronda, and a solid but disappointing World Title match. Gunther vs. Riddle and Rhodes vs. Mysterio served their respective purposes perfectly, despite being relatively inconspicuous in terms of match quality. In addition to three really strong headline matches, returns from Drew McIntyre and John Cena helped tipped the scales even more, though the latter’s promo felt a little self-serving, clunky, and counterproductive. This was far from a perfect show, but it was entertaining from start to finish and provided plenty of moments that will have fans talking into the build for SummerSlam next month. Thumbs up.