With the brand split in full swing, WWE is already closing on another Pay-Per-View after seemingly just finishing up Extreme Rules. Let’s take a look at what the weekly shows have in store, as well as the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View.
Monday Night Raw
The big story going into Raw tonight is the return of Brock Lesnar. Lesnar has been away from WWE television since winning the Universal Championship from Goldberg, but after Samoa Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch on Paul Heyman (Lesnar’s advocate), it has become personal.
When it comes to other championships, the Raw Tag Team Championships and the Raw Women’s Championship should get some development tonight. After missing Raw last week, the Hardy Boyz are cashing in their rematch clause in hopes of regaining their titles. Alexa Bliss retained her Women’s title last week against Nia Jax, but Jax is not done pursuing the top prize.
There are still two mysteries that are left unsolved. Over the past few weeks, Enzo Amore and Big Cass have been found unconscious backstage, but their attackers are still unknown. Also, there is a situation brewing involving Corey Graves and Kurt Angle that has yet to be explained.
SmackDown Live
With Money in the Bank this Sunday, SmackDown Live this week needs to do a good job of selling the Pay-Per-View to the audience. Nothing is advertised for the show yet, but Shane McMahon should put together a show that helps build to the announced matches, while possibly adding some new ones.
Lana “debuted” last week and somehow managed to get a Women’s Championship match against Naomi at Money in the Bank. There will probably be a promo segment or a contract signing between the two so the match could feel a little more important.
There are also two other championship matches this Sunday. The New Day just returned to in-ring action to build momentum to their SmackDown Tag Team Championship match against the Usos, and if they are still working with Breezango to get “intel,” there might be a new episode of the Fashion Files. Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton haven’t done much to build up their WWE title match, and it seems like not much more will happen after Orton said he wants his actions to speak for him.
205 Live
As usual, nothing is promoted for this week’s episode of 205 Live yet. With Neville retaining the Cruiserweight Championship against TJP last week, however, this is the perfect time for one of 205 Live’s great Fatal Five-Way #1 Contender’s matches. Perhaps Cedric Alexander could capitalize on the momentum he’s had since returning to earn a title shot.
NXT
There is potential for this week’s episode of NXT to be historic. After successfully defending the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: Chicago, Asuka defends her title against Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross yet again. There is also potential to find out what’s happening with Hideo Itami’s change of attitude and how that affects his relationship with Kassius Ohno. To round thing out this week, Drew McIntyre is advertised to be “in action” (probably a squash match then).
Money in the Bank
SmackDown is already moving fast when it comes to Pay-Per-Views, and Money in the Bank is a huge one. There is history to be made when the first-ever Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match takes place along with the traditional men’s match. Whoever holds the briefcases can change their respective title pictures in an instant at any point over the next year. Of course, along with the ladder matches, there are title matches as well. Here’s the card (as of this writing) for this Sunday’s event:
- Naomi (c) vs. Lana – SmackDown Women’s Championship
- The Usos (c) vs. The New Day – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
- Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin – Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
- Charlotte vs. Tamina vs. Carmella vs. Natalya vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
- Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship
