Money in the Bank Preview – Mike and Kelly style

Kelly and I have decided to collaborate on our PPV previews, starting with Money in the Bank 2010. I hope you like this style of preview. We got a chance to go back and forth with our thoughts and we had a lot of fun doing it.

Alicia Fox vs. Eve:

Mike: I pick Alicia because she just won the title and I don’t think they’ll take  it off her this early. Do I really care about this match? No.

Kelly: I pick Alicia as well. For some obscure reason they seem to be high on her. Raw Divas are a joke though. I try not to think about them longer than I have to.

Mike: They sure are. Well that’s about as much thought as they’re worth.

Kelly: Agreed.

Mike’s Pick: Alicia Fox

Kelly’s Pick: Alicia Fox

Layla vs. Kelly Kelly:

Kelly: God, I hope it’s Layla. I really like the whole “LayCool” thing they have going. Although, I think this is where a rift might start between the two. I could see something happen where Michelle costs Layla the belt, thus begining their feud, but I think they’ll want the championship on one of their waists before that happens.

Mike: Yeah, I like the whole LayCool angle too. But I could also see this as a way to start their dissention. But I think it’d be more likely that Michelle would help out Layla pick up the dirty win and retain.

Kelly: Kelly Kelly is nothing more than a pretty face and some nice boobs. Putting a belt on her trim waste is an insult.

Mike: Kelly Kelly as champ would definitely be insulting. But I wouldn’t put it past the WWE.

Kelly: If Alicia can become champion, I don’t see why they wouldn’t give it to Kelly. But I don’t think they will.

Mike’s Pick: Layla

Kelly’s Pick: Layla

The Hart Dynasty vs. The Usos:

Mike: I hope The Hart Dynasty wins. It’s a little early in the feud for the Usos to get a hold of the titles. Also the Usos are still quite green.

Kelly: The Usos have competed in, what, three legit matches? Their debut was on Superstars–I remember it vividly. They’re not ready. I enjoy what they have been doing, and I love Tamina vs Natalya, but it’s too soon.

Mike: Yeah. And while we’re talking about Tamina and Natalya, how come the best female wrestler in the WWE hasn’t been in the title scene for the Women’s or Diva’s titles? And how come we haven’t seen any Harts on Smackdown, being the Unified Tag Champions?

Kelly: I’ve mentioned that a few times. We give women like Kelly Kelly and Alicia Fox title shots, but some of the few talented Divas are forced to be just valets. I remember Natalya from 2008, and the girl can throw down. When Jerishow held the titles, they were on Raw, they were on Smackdown, hell they would appear on (at the time) ECW and Superstars. They were everywhere. And now, we rarely see the Hart Dynasty on their home brand.

Mike’s Pick: The Hart Dynasty

Kelly’s Pick: The Hart Dynasty

Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger:

Kelly: Not much to say about this one. Rey’s going to retain. He’s barely had the damn thing, and hasn’t done much as a champion yet. The first week of earning it, he went on vacation. Has he even wrestled since? Or has he just been in an ankle lock since Fatal Fourway?

Mike: Yeah, really! He injures the Undertaker and gets the World Title as a reward? BS. I’m fairly certain that Rey has just been in the Ankle Lock 24/7 since Fatal Fourway. But regardless, it’s too early to take the belt off his whiny ass, even if he needs surgery. I hope they keep booking Swagger like they have been and he wins the belt back at SummerSlam.

Kelly: I like Swagger, I really do. But I’m really starting to wish he were just a silent contender. His talking is awful. The segment with Kane last week was abysmal. Speaking of Kane, think he’ll interfere in this match at all? I know he has MITB to worry about, but his actions on Smackdown towards Jack’s father had to leave a bad taste in his mouth.

Mike: I’ve loved Swagger since his ECW debut. And I agree, he’s brutal on the mic. I really hope Kane stays out of this match. I wanted to kill someone when he took CM Punk out of the Fatal Fourway match. I’m sick of this Kane angle already.

Mike’s Pick: Rey Mysterio

Kelly’s Pick: Rey Mysterio

Smackdown Money in the Bank: Big Show, Matt Hardy, Christian, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes, Kane, Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler:

Mike: Money in the Bank is a tough call, as most of us have learned since WrestleMania 21.

Kelly: Call me crazy, I picked Kane for this one.

Mike: Really? Seriously?

Kelly: This one was extremely difficult to choose, because I’m not sure I can see ANY of these guys as a contender for a world championship. But, through good ‘ole process of elimination, I ended up with Kane. The WWE loves him and his work for the whole Undertaker angle. And, when Undertaker returns, I think either he or Kane will obtain the belt, and the truth will surface that Kane was the mystery Memorial Day attacker. Therefore producing an insta-feud.

Mike: I disagree. Smackdown desperately needs another face elevated to main event status. That’s why my pick is Kofi Kingston. I would love to see Christian, but Vince doesn’t see him as World Champion material, so he’s out. As for the potential Kane vs. Undertaker angle, that could easily be done without the belt. I hope to God that Kane doesn’t win.

Kelly: Kofi was a close second for me. Drew is getting depushed right now, Big Show…yeah, no. Matt and Christian will NEVER reach that level. Dolph is another one, too. It fits storyline that his relationship with Vickie could pay off.

Mike: Yeah, Drew’s fading push bumped him down in my picks. I could see Matt Hardy winning simply because of how over he is with the fans. As for Dolph Ziggler, and Cody Rhodes for that matter, I think it’s too early for them to get this shot. Let’s see where they are next year.

Kelly: They need to become contenders for the IC belt, first, if then. Altough, Dolph was screwed over so many times for the IC belt when Rey was reigning champ. Who knows. I know the briefcase is guaranteed gold, but it’s still just a contender spot. Not a championship. Who knows where that could land these guys.

Mike’s Pick: Kofi Kingston

Kelly’s Pick: Kane

Sheamus vs. John Cena:

Kelly: Sheamus has had the belt for a whole five minutes. I think he’ll survive one more PPV. Cena doesn’t need a belt to satisfy the fans. His music triggers ridiculous pop–not to mention I do NOT want to see the belt on him…AGAIN.

Mike: I’m sick of Cena always being the champ. He doesn’t need the belt. But, as I have read online, if Cena wins, it will be his 10th world title and the first time the WWE Title has ever changed hands in a Steel cage match. I wouldn’t put it past the WWE to have Cena win just to give him those accolades. Regardless, I still pick Sheamus simply because I think he’ll hold it at least through SummerSlam.

Kelly: Well, what’s the world on Hunter? Is he returning for SummerSlam? And I have to wonder what the involvement with Nexus will be. They keep saying that Sheamus and John will be “trapped inside, completely caged in”…except for the huge, gaping hole in the top. This is hard to choose, because there are factors concerning the Nexus, which made it difficult for Fatal Fourway as well.

Mike: Triple H had surgery recently and probably won’t be back for SummerSlam. As for the Nexus factor, I hope to God the interfere. But I can see them screwing Sheamus simply to prove Arn Anderson’s point that he’s not safe just because he’s the champ.

Kelly: Well and don’t forget, Sheamus teamed up with John on last week’s Raw against the Nexus. They could retaliate against just him. I still think Sheamus will come up victorious, but I think it’ll be a brawl. I’m torn: I want to watch Sheamus, but Cena’s matches are usually a smoke break for me.

Mike: I’m torn also. I love Sheamus and don’t want him to drop the title so soon. But I also want to see a Cena vs. Barrett match set up for SummerSlam. I’m picking Cena.

Mike’s Pick: John Cena

Kelly’s Pick: Sheamus

Raw Money in the Bank: Randy Orton, John Morrison, Mark Henry, Evan Bourne, Ted Dibiase, Chris Jericho, Edge & The Miz:

Kelly: I picked Mark Henry.

Mike: Okay, really now?

Kelly: No, that was a joke. Haha. I think it’s ABSURD he was even entered. I hate that he even has a job.

Mike: I agree. Don’t we all?

Kelly: I actually chose Miz. For whatever reason, something that has always stuck with me when picking winners, I always thought that whomever was dominating, would lose. So, Randy and Edge are out for me. Chris Jericho just seems like the kind of company man that does best with training (like Evan Bourne), Bourne is waaaay too new, JoMo is just…there, and Mark Henry is AWFUL. But I think Miz could take it. I think Miz is young and fresh, and definitely made a statement against Randy and Edge, therefore solidifying that he can compete with the big boys.

Mike: I also chose The Miz. He’s come a long way since his reality TV star gimmick on Smackdown. I think he’s ready to be a huge main event heel. I’d love to see Miz as champ feud with Orton. As for the other competitors, as much as I love Orton, Edge, and Jericho, I don’t want them to win. They don’t need the briefcase to get a title shot. I agree with you on Evan Bourne, he’s way too new. I think he’ll be in the US title picture soon. John Morrison and Ted DiBiase are out for me because I think they’ll continue to feud.

Kelly: I think the WWE knows that Randy, Jericho, or Edge winning would be typical. JoMo and Teddy are lost in mid-card matches, which is fine, because they do well with it. Evan Bourne is getting mega-pushed, but I doubt he’s ready for any type of main-event status. I just think that the Miz would do well as the winner. He can work, he can talk, he can piss EVERYONE off. I love it.

Mike: I couldn’t have said it better without that myself.

Mike’s Pick: The Miz

Kelly’s Pick: The Miz

Closing thoughts:

Mike: Looks like we’re on the same page for most of this. I think this PPV has a lot of potential. Outside the worthless Diva’s title match, the card is pretty stacked. With the Money in the Bank matches and the possible Nexus interference in the WWE Title match, there are a lot of potential shockers.

Kelly: I always loved Money in the Bank matches, especially these ones. I have NO idea who will win, and I’m glad. Predictability has become a curse on most PPVs, and I’m glad to just sit back and enjoy it. I’m still kind of heated that there’s a themed PPV like this to begin with…I like it when there’s only ONE, once a year. But the WWE did a good job of winning me over, and I can’t wait to see my favorites compete.

Mike: I know what you mean. I was pretty livid when I found out this was no longer going to be a part of WrestleMania. Since I’ve only been a fan since ‘Mania 23, this has been tradition for me. But they also won me over.

Kelly: First MITB match I ever saw was Wrestlemania 25, which was so well done. It’s a shame CM Punk has to be left out of this one due to his surgery, but I think they did well with who they have. Matt Hardy and Christian will be able to provide some good aesthetics for when the match lulls, but I think I’ll be entertained regardless. I can’t wait to see what the Nexus has up their sleeves this time. They’re such a thrill.

Mike: One more thing. Do you think we’ll see any immediate cash-ins?

Kelly: I think they’ll tease some cash-ins, have the winner run out and initiate a beatdown, but I don’t think anyone will cash in that night. Too easy. How else will they ensure PPV sales?

Mike: I disagree. I think we may see one cash in sometime between the PPV and SummerSlam. I’d really like to see someone announce their title shot in advance like Rob Van Dam did in 2006. Not sure how well it would be booked though.

Kelly: The greatest aspect of the contracts is that you don’t KNOW when they’ll come. They know what will draw in viewers and boost sales, so they’ll hang on to it, in my opinion.

Mike: That’s very true. One of the many mysteries of the Money in the Bank.

Thanks for reading.

You can follow both of us on Twitter.

http://twitter.com/wwefanmike_sXe and http://twitter.com/KELLYFLOYDBRAND

Filed Under: Columns • PPV News