Money In The Bank 2019 Review

Sunday, May 19th, 2019
XL Center
Hartford, Connecticut

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Women's Money In The Bank Match
Naomi vs. Carmella vs. Nikki Cross vs. Mandy Rose vs. Ember Moon vs. Dana Brooke vs. Natalya vs. Bayley

After they all stare down the briefcase, they all start brawling while Ember Moon grabs a ladder. Nikki Cross comes in with the Terry Funk spot. It goes without saying, but these matches were always more interesting when there were only 6 competitors. Naomi is paying tribute to the greatest tag team of all time, the Killer Bees tonight. Kind of an awkward spot where Mandy hit Carmella in the knee and Mandy then tried to follow up on it but Carmella kept pushing her away and audibly said "Go away". Naomi does a cool spot where she has people with ladders on both sides of her and does the splits to avoid getting hit by them. Carmella is heading to the back with a limp. Dana Brooke hangs Ember Moon from the tree of woe from the ladder and hits a cartwheel elbow. Dana and Mandy give us our first race up the ladder. Brooke has it and is swinging from the briefcase. The ladder gets knocked over with a bunch of the ladies on it. Ember Moon the hits a leaping Eclipse off the ladder in a great spot. Mandy Rose is all alone and about to climb, but back comes Carmella and for some reason Mandy goes after her instead of racing up the ladder. That spot doesn't work for me. I just don't think she was gone long enough and I also don't think Carmella was the right one to be in that spot. Carmella is climbing, but Sonya Deville makes the save. Sonya is trying to get Mandy up, but for some reason has time to put her ponytail in? Sonya is now carrying Rose on her shoulders and walking up the ladder. Mandy has the briefcase, but Bayley races up and shoves them down and grabs the briefcase. That was a little on the short side, but the women did a great job of keeping a nice pace the entire match. Again, 8 competitors is way too many as Natalya for example was pretty much non existent. Keep it at 6, WWE. Otherwise that was a fun and energetic sprint that gave the victory to the fan favorite and in my opinion the most deserving of the briefcase.

Match Rating: ***3/4 (out of 5)

After the match they interview Bayley and she gives a more confident interview than her character normally gives.

Sami Zayn interrupts Triple H and wants to know where Shane McMahon is. He's concerned about Braun Strowman, but Triple H assures Zayn that Strowman has been banned from the building. Zayn asks for some protection, but Triple H tells him to tape up his fists and leave now.

United States Championship Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Samoa Joe

Let's hope this time we get a proper match rather than a squash. Rey continues to defy all logic with some nice moves to open up the match. Then Joe chops him and makes me glad I am not Rey right now. Joe is bleeding from the nose. Joe goes for a powerbomb, but Rey counters with a hurricanrana and gets the pinfall? It sure looked like Joe got his shoulders up. So I guess they're going for the Rousey/Lynch controversy here? They're showing the replay, so it was clearly on purpose.

Match Rating: 1/2*

After the match, Rey's son Dominic comes down to the ring and celebrates with him, but then Joe comes down and clubs Rey. Dominic considers coming into the ring, but never does. Joe heads to the back with a sinister look as Dominic goes in to check on his father. Well, maybe by SummerSlam I will get my classic Rey/Joe match that I'm waiting for.

Strowman is in the back and tearing apart everything screaming for Sami.

Steel Cage Match
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz

You have to love 2019 WWE. On a show with 2 multi-person ladder matches on it has to have a steel cage match on it also. Shane jumps right up and tries to escape immediately, but Miz gets him and is brawling. For the record, I think this feud has shown how valuable Miz is. He has long been one of the best characters in WWE and is finally getting a chance to play the babyface seeking revenge. After a minute or two of Miz dominating, Shane catches Miz and slams him into the cage to take advantage. Shane sets up Miz for coast to coast, but Miz semi-catches him and puts him in the Figure Four. Shane grabs the ropes, but there are no rope breaks obviously. Shane tries to slide out of the ring, but Shane grabs him. Shane was somehow able to grab a chair, but Miz kicks him and both men are down. They both go for the chair, but Miz gets it first. Shane tries to escape again, but Miz cracks him with a chair to the back. Miz continues to destroy Shane with chair shots to the back. Skull Crushing Finale on the chair. Miz goes for the pin, but Shane puts his foot on the rope. The announcers are saying that shouldn't have counted and are wondering if the referee is worried for his job. Miz goes for a Skull Crushing Finale off the top rope, but Shane counters it and is trying to climb out of the cage again. Miz is able to hit Shane on the ankle as Shane is on the top of the cage. Both men are up top. Miz grabs Shane and is slamming his face into the cage and slams him back in the ring. Miz then hits one of the uglier Frog Splashes you will see and only gets a 2 count. Shane gets Miz into a choke hold, but Miz bridges and gets a 2 count forcing Shane to break the hold. Shane climbs up the cage again, but Miz again grabs him as he gets to the top. Miz goes for a superplex from the top of the cage, but Shane is able to slip out and fall to the ground and win the match. Miz is up top looking at a defeated Shane in disgust. The match had some awkward moments, but that was a good popcorn match that had a solid story and won the crowd over.

Match Rating: ***1/4

Mick Foley is going to be on Raw tomorrow to announce the newest title? Another one?

Triple H is racing to the back and finds Sami hanging upside down from a fence. Triple H orders the cameras to leave.

Cruiserweight Championship Match
Tony Nese vs. Ariya Daivari 

Consider me shocked that this match is on the main show. I wonder who conned Vince into that? The crowd is absolutely dead, but that's not these guys fault entirely. Daivari is getting the rich guy push and is clearly more character driven then most of the 205 Live guys. Nese falls down in a spot where it looks like he should have landed and then when they try to recover, Daivari falls as he is putting him in a reverse Boston Crab type move. It seems like things never work out for this division on pay-per-view. Nese hits a couple of nice moves, but Daivari hits an inverted DDT. Daivari has Nese up top and chops him and then kicks him to the floor in a simple, yet effective spot. Nese hits a nice over the top rope corkscrew and hten a 450 splash in the ring, but it's not enough as Daivari gets his shoulder up. Daivari hits a superkick and then the Persian Lion Splash and a lariat, but Nese is able to kick out of that. Nese hits a hurricanrana off the top rope and then a running knee in the corner and gets the victory That started slow, but had a solid, but illogical finish. They really need to slow down with the hitting huge moves, the other guy miraculously kicking out and then immediately being able to recover from it.

Match Rating: **

Triple H asks Strowman to leave, as beating up Zayn won't get him back in the match.

Raw Women's Championship Match
Lacey Evans vs. Becky Lynch

This is my first time seeing Evans fight. Lynch hits a baseball slide to the outside and then throws her into the guardrail. Lacey counters a kick and is taking it to Lynch. For as over as Lynch was, the crowd here is fairly quiet. There are other factors at play, but a little surprising. I'm not sure I'm digging Evans' ring gear. I was expecting something a little bit more over the top and unique. Evans pulls out a handkerchief and wipes her brow and then shoves it in Lynch's face. Lynch hits a clothesline off the second rope and both women are down. Lynch barely hits a dropkick from the top rope, but follows it up with a jumping fist off the apron to the floor. Lynch is going up to, but Evans moves and hits a springboard Stunner type move. That was a little sloppy and only gets a 2 count. Evans then clips Lynch and rolls up Lynch. Lynch somehow gets the Disarm-her in and gets the victory. Another awkward ref spot where the ref didn't count the roll up, even though Lynch's shoulders appeared to be down. I have to say, I was expecting Lynch to fight Charlotte first and then Evans to have a broken down Lynch and her take the title. This was okayish. Evans looked solid for a newcomer.

Match Rating: **1/4

Charlotte's music hits and she is on her way down and apparently we are having this match next.

SmackDown Women's Championship Match
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair

Charlotte obviously gets the early advantage. Charlotte goes up top and Becky slams her down much like her father did a million times. They go back and forth with right hands and then some forearms. Lynch tries to get her in the Disarm-her, but Charlotte is able to get out before she locks it in. While the ref is checking in on Charlotte, Lacey Evans comes down and hits Lynch with the Woman's Right. Charlotte hits a big boot and wins the championship for the 9th time. Another sign of the times with that sentence. These women have obviously had much, much better matches. This was designed to get sympathy on Becky and I guess in that instance it worked.

Match Rating: *3/4

After the match Charlotte and Evans keep the beatdown going on Lynch and Bayley's music hits! She attacks Evans with the Bayley to belly, but Flair then attacks her. She goes for a spear on Bayley, but she throws her into the turnbuckle. Bayley contemplates her next move as the crowd is really digging this. She picks up the briefcase and cashes in!

SmackDown Women's Championship Match
Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair

Bayley drags Charlotte away from the corner and hits the elbow drop off the top rope and gets the win. Great moment that took what is normally a heel move to cash in and made it fit her character while giving her a little bit more edge at the same time.

Match Rating: 1/4* (That's as high as I can give a match that short, but the moment here was awesome)

Roman Reigns is backstage and out of nowhere, Elias smashes a guitar over his head. Elias is then walking to the ring. They are now setting up a chair for Elias and he grabs an electric guitar. Elias even makes a Whalers joke. As Elias is walking to the back, Reigns hits him with a Superman punch. Reigns drags him to the ring and the match starts.

Roman Reigns vs. Elias

Reigns hits a spear and gets the win. There has been some curious booking tonight to say the least.

Match Rating: 1/4*

Universal Championship Match
AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins 

Even though it feels like they are jumping the gun on this matchup, with both men being faces it gives the opportunity for a Styles heel turn which would most likely lead to a rematch. I guess it will be interesting to see if they do that soon or if it's something further down the road. Styles hits a beautiful dropkick on Rollins. They then appeared to mess up a hip toss spot, where Style held on, but still did the flip to the ground. Rollins then slams Styles' face into the turnbuckle. Styles almost hits a Styles Clash from the apron, but Rollins gets out of it and then gets nailed with a knee. That was a cool spot. Styles hangs Rollins on the top rope, but Rollins bounces up and hits a suicide dive to the outside. They go back and forth with some great action. Rollins picks up Styles up from the ground into an impressive buckle bomb. Rollins hits a huge frog splash, but only gets the 2 count. This is one of those matches where I'm most likely better off telling you to watch rather than trying to keep up with. After some more back and forth exchanges, Styles puts Rollins in the Torture Rack and then a rackbomb. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Rollins trips him up. Rollins hits a reverse superplex and then rolls up and a version of the Falcon Arrow for a nearfall. That was really, really good stuff. Rollins goes for the Stomp, but Styles grabs the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring. Rollins rolls through and kicks Styles to the jaw. Styles does the moonsault jump into the inverted DDT and again Rollins kicks out. Styles goes for a clothesline, but Rollins decapitates Styles with a superkick. Both men fight to get back up and are going back and forth with blows. Step up enzaguri by Rollins and Styles misses the Pele kick. Rollins then goes for the Stomp again, Styles catches him and somehow hits the Styles Clash out of that. Wow. These guys are living up to the hype. Styles is going for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Rollins moves. Kick to the face by Rollins and then finally hits the Stomp and retains the Universal Championship. What can you say? Two guys that usually deliver delivered. From the middle of the match on, it was pedal to the metal action.

Match Rating: ****1/4

After the match, Styles walks back into the ring as Rollins is celebrating. Rollins holds up the belt and shakes his head no. Styles holds out his hand and after a long dramatic pause, Rollins shakes it and Styles is out of there quickly.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are backstage with Charly Caruso. Kofi says that he agrees that he wouldn't be where he was without the New Day, but Xavier Woods says he is selling himself short.

The Lucha House Party are out (on a pay-per-view?) and apparently are supposed to have a six man tag team match. However, Lars Sullivan has other plans and annihilates them.

WWE Championship Match
Kevin Owens vs. Kofi Kingston

Owens surprisingly got a smaller pop than he normally does. Perhaps a testament to how over Kofi is? They go after each other as soon as the bell rings. They go outside and Kofi hits a leaping open palm from the steps. Kofi hits a springboard double ax handle to the outside. Owens hits a big frog splash from the apron to the floor after ramming Kofi into the ring post. Kofi fights back, but Owens gets him in a Boston Crab. Both men are fighting again on the apron and Kofi hits a double stomp to the apron. Crowd fatigue is setting in here. Kofi tries to hit another move from the ropes to the floor, but Owens counters with the superkick. Kofi hits an SOS after a block by Owens and gets a 2 count. Kofi goes for Trouble In Paradise, but Owens catches it and puts Kofi in another Boston Crab. Owens hits a pop up sit down powerbomb, but Kofi is able to kick out. Owens goes for a Stunner, but Kofi hits Trouble In Paradise, but Owens rolls outside. Kofi pulls Owens back into the ring, but Owens hits him a Stunner and Kofi is able to grab the bottom rope on the pin attempt. Owens then rips off both of Kofi's boots and goes up top. He goes for the swanton and Kofi gets his knees up. Kofi hits Trouble In Paradise and gets the victory. I'm not sure I understand the boot spot there. That wasn't quite as good as I hoped, but I also had very high expectations. It was a well worked match and one that would have benefited from a better crowd.

Match Rating: ***1/2

They then hype up Super Showdown, saying that it may exceed WrestleMania in quality. Goldberg vs. Undertaker couldn't be a less appealing match to me. Not to mention Lashley/Strowman, Triple H/Orton and a 50 man battle royal. Honestly, those are 4 matches I never want to see. Andrade vs. Balor is also on the card and that one could be awesome, but I will not be reviewing that show.

Money In The Bank Match
Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor vs. Ricochet vs. Andrade vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Ali

There are only 7 men as a result of the actions of Braun Strowman. I have to say it is really strange to see Orton in there with Ricochet. Orton is in the ring by himself setting up the ladder and there actually is a "Randy Orton" chant going on. Orton climbs like we are 20 minutes into the match instead of 2. Andrade hits a springboard dropkick to knock him off. McIntyre and Corbin both have ladders now and use them to take out Orton and Andrade. Ali hits a suicide dive on McIntyre. Ricochet dumps Andrade over the ropes and is all alone until Ali runs in. They go back and forth up the ladder. After some back and forth, they both race up the ladder but McIntyre and Corbin interrupt and throw both men into ladders. I have to say I'm not really sure what they're going to do here as far as a winner and that obviously only helps the match. Balor comes in and is able to take out both McIntyre and Corbin and then sets up a ladder. Andrade then uses another ladder to hit Balor and knock him off. Andrade sets up that ladder horizontally on the ropes and the other ladder. Andrade is climbing up the ladder but Balor is as well. Andrade does a sunset flip powerbomb off the horizontal ladder and Balor bounces like 3 feet in the air. That was a crazy looking spot, yeesh. Ali hits a tornado DDT on the least talented performer in WWE, Corbin. Ali then goes and hits the reverse hurricanrana on Ricochet. Andrade stops Ali's ladder climb and he is now hanging on the ladder. Andrade sets up a second ladder and now both men are climbing and battling up top. Spanish Fly by Ali to Andrade. That match pretty much always looks insane, especially off a ladder. McIntyre immediately attacks Ali and sets up a ladder on the ring and announce desk. Ali hits a superkick on McIntyre, but Corbin comes up and chokeslams Ali through the Spanish announce table. Corbin then throws McIntyre into the crowd and then chokeslams Balor in the ring. Ricochet goes for a suicide dive to Corbin, but Corbin catches him and hits him with Deep 6. Claymore Kick by McIntyre to Corbin. Balor is climbing up the ladder, but McIntyre stops him. McIntyre then stops Ricochet from climbing and launches him over the top and through the ladder. This is great, chaotic fun so far. Orton grabs McIntyres foot off the ladder and pulls him into an RKO. Corbin hits Orton from behind and Corbin is climbing, but much to the relief of everyone Ali is there to save it. Ali dumps Corbin out of the ring with a head scissors. Ali is climbing the ladder all alone and all of a sudden Brock Lesnar's music hits and he runs down to the ring and pushes the ladder over. Lesnar climbs the ladder and grabs the briefcase and wins the match. The Lesnar era continues. Well that match was really, really good with all of the competitors working their butts off. Add in the surprise, whether you like it or not and that has to be considered one of the better Money In The Bank matches that I can think of off hand. Even if you don't like Lesnar having the briefcase, it adds a secondary story to Rollins always having to watch his back even more than a champion normally would because Lesnar is so rarely actually on TV. It's a little strange that Brock happened to be in Hartford with his ring gear, but maybe they'll come up with something? I'm not counting on it.

Match Rating: ****1/4

Well there were definitely a few low points on the show, but most of them were brief. The men's Money In The Bank and Styles/Rollins were match of the year quality matches and the women's Money In The Bank match was highly entertaining. Throw in the Lesnar and Bayley moments and you have yourself a winner of a show.

Overall Rating: 84%