With WrestleMania 35 behind us, it’s time to move on to the next big show: Money in the Bank. Although Money in the Bank is a couple of weeks away (it will take place on Sunday, May 19th), much of the match card has already been revealed for the event.
As of today, Wednesday, May 8th, the Money in the Bank 2019 match card stands as follows:
Tony Nese (c) vs. Ariya Daivari
Cruiserweight Championship Match
Since winning the Cruiserweight Championship from Buddy Murphy at WrestleMania 35, Tony Nese has been in need of a challenger. Ariya Daivari stepped up to the plate, successfully outmatching the competition to become the number one contender for the title.
At Money in the Bank, Ariya Daivari will get his chance to prove himself against the champ and possibly ascend to the top spot of 205 Live.
Rey Mysterio vs. Samoa Joe
United States Championship Match
Samoa Joe has had slightly less luck since his dominant 1-minute defeat of Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 35, suffering a defeat at the hands of Mysterio on Raw.
Later, Samoa Joe approached Rey Mysterio’s son, Dominick, informing the future Superstar that he planned to embarrass Mysterio once again at Money in the Bank. Dominick seems to be a good luck charm for Mysterio, however, and his presence at the arena for his father’s match might be just what Rey needs to score the victory.
Braun Strowman vs. Ricochet vs. Baron Corbin vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Bálor vs. Ali vs. Randy Orton vs. Andrade
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
This week on Raw, half of the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match competitors were announced. The four representatives from the Raw brand will be Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, and Braun Strowman.
The next day on SmackDown Live, the four SmackDown Live competitors were announced as well and will include Finn Bálor, Ali, Andrade, and Randy Orton.
In tag matches that took place on each show, Strowman, Ricochet, Bálor, and Ali gained early momentum by winning their respective contests.
Naomi vs. Dana Brooke vs. Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley vs. Mandy Rose vs. Carmella vs. Ember Moon
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Along with the eight men’s competitors, the eight women who will compete in their Money in the Bank Ladder Match were revealed. During A Moment of Bliss, Alexa announced Natalya, Dana Brooke, and Naomi, before proudly revealing that she, herself, would be the fourth woman from Raw.
On SmackDown Live, Bayley placed her name in the hat first, quickly followed by Mandy Rose, who had a brief discussion with her tag partner, Sonya Deville, in which they decided together that Rose would be the better candidate. Later in the evening, Carmella and Ember Moon also announced their entry into the match, each giving a convincing argument as to why they would be the Women’s briefcase holder when it was all said and done.
Roman Reigns vs. Elias
Roman Reigns’ attack on Vince McMahon did not sit well with Shane McMahon, or his new friend Elias. Because of this, Shane and Elias worked together to attack Roman Reigns on SmackDown Live.
In an effort to further avenge his new allies, Elias challenged Roman Reigns to a match at Money in the Bank. Shane McMahon was certain that The Big Dog would never accept, but Reigns proved him wrong, accepting the challenge later in the evening.
The Miz vs. Shane McMahon
Steel Cage Match
The feud between Miz and Shane McMahon appears to be coming to a head at Money in the Bank, as they will compete in a Steel Cage Match during the show. Shane McMahon’s ruthless abuse of both Miz and his father (as well as poor Greg Hamilton) led to this challenge from Miz, which Shane quickly accepted.
Though we would normally assume this environment would give Shane McMahon the advantage, Miz proved himself a bit of a badass at WrestleMania 35, and may just be able to bring Shane down in his own element.
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
SmackDown Live Women’s Championship Match
A confrontation between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley resulted in a No. 1 Contendership Match between Charlotte Flair and Bayley, as The Huggable One was determined to prove that she was just as worthy of a title as her former fellow Horsewoman.
Unfortunately for Bayley, she was defeated by Charlotte, making The Queen Becky Lynch’s opponent for Money in the Bank. Post-match, Becky was asked if she was worried about having two matches in one night. She said that she expected to beat Lacey Evans in one punch, and bring Charlotte down just as easily.
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lacey Evans
Raw Women’s Championship Match
After capturing both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships from Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair, respectively, Becky Lynch wasted no time in declaring herself a fighting champion, saying that she would be more than willing to take on any and everyone who wished to challenge her.
Lacey Evans almost immediately took advantage of this opportunity, attacking The Champ Champ at every turn. This gained her a number one contendership match against Natalya, which she won, claiming the spot in this Raw Women’s Championship Match at Money in the Bank.
Seth Rollins (c) vs. AJ Styles
Universal Championship Match
While Becky Lynch has certainly had a few ladies gunning for her championships, Seth Rollins’ list of contenders topped it. The Kingslayer had no less than six (seven, if you count Kofi Kingston’s attempt at becoming the champ champ like Becky) competitors approach him for a chance at the Universal Championship: Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, The Miz, Baron Corbin, AJ Styles, and Samoa Joe.
After two triple threats and a singles match between AJ Styles and Baron Corbin, Styles came out on top, seizing what will probably be one of the biggest matches on the card at Money in the Bank.
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Kevin Owens
WWE Championship Match
When Kevin Owens returned to WWE, he appeared to be doing his best to turn over a new leaf. In fact, he went as far as to become an honorary member of the most loved group in the company, The New Day, dubbing himself “Big O.”
Sadly, this new outlook would not last, and he recently turned against Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, revealing his true feelings about the WWE Champion – Kofi Kingston is not champ material.
Facing his problems head on, Kofi welcomed the challenge from Kevin Owens, creating this WWE Championship Match for Money in the Bank.
What do you think of the idea of the Money in the Bank 2019 match card? Let us know on Twitter, @TheRumbleRamble.
