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Thursday, June 23, 2016

The Rundown Slam: WWE Money In The Bank 2016

06/22/2016 01:02:31 PM

It was a blockbuster Sunday night at the United States as the world of sports and entertainment had put up a massive heavyweight treats (and it actually came in threes) in time for Father's Day. People worldwide had been waiting for a new episode of Game Of Thrones, while at the Bay Area and Ohio, thousands witnessed the culminating game 7 of an epic finale showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

And here at Las Vegas, professional wrestling gambled all in for the World Wrestling Entertainment's annual special event known as the Money In The Bank.

We have seen Fatal-4-way kicked off the program and all eight competitors battled not just for their respective championship bids, but done in such a scuffle-for-survival manner. Teams breaking pinfalls one after the other after unleashing finishing maneuvers had made it awesome.

However, I find New Day's retention as a result a bid stale. Maybe because they are living up to its name – and consequently, for the new era itself. I even thought Gallows and Anderson will finally have the golds. 

It just didn't work well at the end. I mean, why on earth did the bigger and balder Luke Gallows didn't even attempted to stop New Day when they are about to hit their finishing combo on Gallows? They have a chance even before Big Cass will step in and stomp him out of the ring?

Still, awesome match to kickoff even their introductions went a bit flat.

Verdict: 8.4

Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler is the present rivalry which seems either unclear or uncertain to me. I get it: the lone wolf has made its debut in the E in WrestleMania's Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. But feuding with Ziggler? Maybe because for one way or another this will prove the big guy's worth as a newcomer, heel and supposedly a force to reckon with, specially the latter's technical wrestling skills, impressive audience impact, and ability to raise stock on his opponents.

But heck, Baron vs. Dolph is the very boring match of the evening. How is that evident? Heard the chants of “Let's go Cleveland, Cleveland sucks!” (or maybe Cena) during their segment? That shows how the fans are totally disinterested on them.

That's a total momentum-killer heading into the evening. Good thing, there's still exciting to see then.

Verdict: 2.7

Charlotte and Dana Brooke emerged victorious against Natalya and Becky Lynch. I get it, Natalya was supposed to be a babyface here, but not giving her the win in a special event yet again? Come on, WWE! This ain't for the Women's championship anymore!

So the post-match shenanigans can really be frustrating to tell Natalya's story right now. Imagine being unable to defeat Charlotte in three championship matches held outside RAW and SmackDown.

Still, I wish the Bret Hart's niece was given the victory right there.

Verdict: 7.0

John Cena versus AJ Styles was a dream match as everyone aimed for. But turns out it wasn't really that dream match as the screwed ending proved there will be more of this feud coming soon.

And it unconvincingly proved AJ Styles was better than John Cena. Well, how could that possibly be if it looked like Cena has been missing strikes. Funny, the electricity these two had when they entered the ring just proved how rusty the Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect is right now.

Verdict: 6.7

Apollo Crews' victory against Sheamus seemed done with no conviction, but there's a lesson learned: don't mess with the bullied ones. 

Yes, no much conviction because of the roll-up off the kickout on Sheamus' White Noise. Hey, at least you have performed powerbomb and moonsault along the way, right?

But maybe, on the second thought, that shows this rivalry will continue; maybe until SummerSlam.

Verdict: 6.5

If you watched RAW last week, we have seen the most prospect winner in the Money in the Bank ladder match. And true enough, Dean Ambrose proved himself very well. It also shows in the event's opening billboard too, right?

It was as brutally-physical as it gets. And even if Chris Jericho has been on his fifth MITB match, there's no way he could own the briefcase for the first time in his career. But maybe soon, he will chase the championship once again since feuding with Ambrose is something I think will continue in the upcoming weeks.

For a second Owens, Cesaro, and even Sami Zayn deserved to get it. But either their actions in teasing went too fast or their dance partner lacks speed to pace up and fare well with the sequences.

Obviously predictable, but still entertaining to watch after all this time.

Verdict: 8.0

The US title match was a total burnout despite having Titus O'Neil's kids at ringside. And frankly, it appears Rusev just lived another day right there. This aren't exactly how the Bulgarian brute was at his monstrous self. He wasn't as spectacularly as the way it should be in the first place.

And fuck it, Titus lost again. Is this what he gets from being suspended, too? Yes, over a very superficial action before the sanction? Screw you, WWE!

Another momentum-killer. The US championship match turned out to be a bathroom break for some.

Verdict: 4.5

Minutes before the main event, I suddenly changed my predictions, saying that Seth Rollins will win the title over Roman Reigns, and then Dean Ambrose will literally steal everything.

Fuck this shit. Turns out my forecast is right.

While Roman Reigns displayed more heel actions against Rollins, it seemed uncertain if this is really a double turn.

At the ends, Rollins lived up to his mantra “Redesign, Rebuild, Reclaim.” But tides have turned up. While Rollins wasn't the opportunistic guy anymore, turns out it's a perfect payback for Dean Ambrose. Two years ago, he lost the Money in the Bank match against his former SHIELD brother. And last year, he fought tooth-and-nil with him again in a ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and nearly got his title.

Talk about revenge being done big-time.

Verdict: 8.9

The greatest Money in the Bank in history, as they say? Well, yeah... they were great in paper. But certainly this wasn't the “greatest” as fans have seen. That's all. But it was worth the gamble, mind you.

The Verdict: 7.9

Author: slickmaster | © 2016 september twenty-eight productions

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