In just a few days, SmackDown Live hosts the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View. There are two Money in the Bank Ladder Matches (both men’s and women’s), as well as three championship matches that can have a huge shift for SmackDown Live. With a big night of matches ahead, let’s look at what’s to come (and of course, predict who’s going to win).
Naomi (c) vs. Lana – SmackDown Women’s Championship
When the Superstar Shake-up revealed that Lana and Rusev would be moving from Raw to SmackDown, this was WWE’s time to pull the trigger on Lana taking a new direction. For weeks, there were promo packages showing her dancing to a wonky saxophone-featured song that would become her entrance theme.
Lana made her first SmackDown Live appearance two weeks ago when she tried to enter the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. When Naomi laughed at her, Lana decided to get under the champion’s skin by interfering in Naomi’s tag team match later on in the night. Naomi was so angry with Lana that she wanted to put her title on the line just so Shane McMahon would give her an opportunity to “snatch her bald.”
Prediction:
The only match Lana has had on the main roster was a multi-woman tag team match at WrestleMania 32. She is nowhere close to being as experienced as Naomi, and it will show this Sunday. Winner, and STILL SmackDown Women’s Champion: Naomi
The Usos (c) vs. The New Day – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
After American Alpha (remember them?) finally captured the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, the Usos would win the titles from them not much later. After retaining the gold in their rematch, Jimmy and Jey Uso would go on to defeat Breezango in two different championship matches. Now, the New Day has finally appeared on SmackDown Live to try and dethrone the “greatest tag team of this generation” (according to JBL).
Prediction:
WWE is really pushing the Usos as an elite tag team, but it doesn’t come across that way when they are on screen. Since the New Day hold the record for the longest Tag Team Championship reign, a win here could help further that argument. Winners, and STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Usos
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin – Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Right after SmackDown finished Backlash, Shane McMahon decided who the competitors in the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match were going to be. McMahon chose competitors that impressed at the Pay-Per-View, even three men that lost their matches (AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, and Baron Corbin). These men have been battling for weeks, leading to last week’s ladder heavy battle where Shinsuke Nakamura quite literally came out on top.
Prediction:
While I chose Sami Zayn for who I think should win the men’s briefcase, I don’t think WWE is going to go in that direction. A lot of people have been speculating for a Shinsuke Nakamura victory, but with the Money in the Bank match having a history of elevating Superstars that need it, Baron Corbin fits that mold perfectly. Winner: Baron Corbin
Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Carmella vs. Tamina – Money in the Bank Ladder Match
It seems like wherever Charlotte goes, something historic is soon to follow. The second-generation Superstar came to SmackDown Live through the Superstar Shake-up and soon after, Shane McMahon announced the first-ever Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. The rules and benefits are the same as the men’s match, but the winner will cash in for a SmackDown Women’s Championship opportunity.
Prediction:
This match has Carmella’s name written all over it. She isn’t the smoothest wrestler on the roster, but she is coming into her own as a WWE Superstar. Carmella’s stock value can, and will, increase tremendously with a guaranteed championship match whenever she wants. Winner: Carmella
Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton
At Backlash, Jinder Mahal shocked the world when he defeated Randy Orton to become the first Indian WWE Champion. Mahal has only lost one singles match since switching to SmackDown, and with the Singh Brothers at his side, has success doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Since losing the WWE Championship, Orton hasn’t done much other than hitting Mahal with an RKO this week.
Prediction:
It’s safe to say that the entire WWE Universe is tired of the Mahal/Orton feud, and they both need to move on to something else. With that in mind, a win for Orton here would not help them go their separate ways. Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal
