The WWE had a tall task on its hand on Sunday night when they presented the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in Chicago.Just the night before, NXT tore the house down with their TakeOver: Chicago special that was headlined by a five-star calibre match from Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.So, how would the WWE follow that up?With two Money in the Bank contracts to be won, three world title matchups and some unexpected shocks, the WWE pulled it out of the bag.While it might not have exceeded NXT TakeOver, it certainly exceeded expectations. Let's get into it.
Daniel Bryan V Big Cass
On the preshow, we saw the Bludegeon Brothers retain their SmackDown Live tag team titles against Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows in a pretty standard affair, but the main show kicked off with Big Cass taking on Daniel Bryan in a rematch from Backlash.
Bryan had firey offence throughout and, like their previous bout, took plenty of time to work Cass' well documented weak knee. One nice spot saw Cass spin Bryan around like he was about to land a flying head scissors only for Bryan to turn the move into a Yes Lock.
After some decent back and forth action, Bryan would land the flying knee to set up for his new and dangerous finisher, the heel hook. Cass held on for a few seconds before tapping out moving Bryan to 2-0 against the seven-footer.
Result - Daniel Bryan wins via submission
Big Cass would probably have won this bout, or at least the one before, if he hadn't of gone off script and against Vince McMahon's orders in that segment with the little man a few weeks back on SmackDown. As a result, Bryan tramples past the big man, but, he did pull out the best singles match of Cass' career to date. So, not all is lost.
6/10
Bobby Lashley v Sami Zayn
As the bell rung, Sami Zayn was naturally tentative about going anywhere near an enraged Bobby Lashley. Eventually, Lashley would catch Zayn during one of his many attempts to evade the match and what ensued was a glorified squash match.
Zayn enjoyed little to no offence before the former ECW champion nailed a delayed vertical suplex to seal the one, two, three - while pinning the Canadian with one hand.
Result - Bobby Lashley wins via pinfall
After Zayn's taunts, this was bound to happen. To be honest, it was the best version of Lashley we've seen to date and the sooner these two move past each other, the better. As entertaining as Zayn has been, this focused and intense side of Lashley has been a long time coming and fans will be hoping for much more.
6/10
Seth Rollins v Elias - Intercontinental title
Elias riled up the Chicago crowd before Seth Rollins entered to a thunderous ovation that wouldn't be topped all night. The former Drifter got the better of the Shield alumni in the early exchanges before a frenetic pace was set, bringing out the best of both men's arsenals.
Rollins hit his brilliant Superplex/Falcon Arrow combination, but got nothing but knees when he attempted a frog splash from the top rope. Elias went on a tear on the outside, ramming Rollins into every obstacle possible before nailing an elbow from the top rope, much to the delight of the Chicago faithful.
On the home stretch, Elias attempted to roll up Rollins, only for the Kingslayer to reverse it and get the pinfall over the challenger to retain his Intercontinental title.
Result - Seth Rollins wins via pinfall
The finish gives Elias a good reason to chase a rematch for Extreme Rules and with Rollins' popularity undeniable, Elias may well win that rematch allowing The Architect to move onto bigger things. There wasn't many rest holds to endure in this one, just a fun, entertaining match. The crowd loved it from start to finish.
8/10
Sasha Banks v Charlotte v Ember Moon v Alexa Bliss v Natalya v Naomi v Becky Lynch v Lana - Women's MITB Ladder Match
Sasha Banks too some really big bumps early on, including eating a springboard crossbody from Ember Moon onto a ladder. In what was something of a coming out party for Lana, Rusev's better half showcased some cool moves during the match, including an X-Factor onto the corner of a ladder.
Becky Lynch and Banks both had good face-offs with Charlotte to tease their history and there was plenty of hard-hitting spots including the ladders.
Down the homestretch, Alexa Bliss took advantage of Naomi and Becky Lynch fighting it out for the briefcase to steal the win.
Result - Alexa Bliss the Money in the Bank contract
This was a brilliant match and infinitely better than the cluster that was last year's inaugural effort. The action was as brutal as you'd expect from the men's and there is no doubt the women left it all out there. Going with Bliss for the win was smart booking too; there's no superstar the briefcase suits more than The Goddess.
10/10
Roman Reigns v Jinder Mahal
Unfortunately, the crowd were intent on hating this before they even gave it a chance. Among chants like 'this is boring' and 'CM Punk', a Mexican wave got going. Jinder tried to work a slow pace and wear Roman down and Sunil Singh tried his best to help his friend from his wheelchair.
As the bout wore on, Roman hit a drive by on Mahal and then dealt with Sunil as he tried to interfere once more. A spear inside the ring would be enough to put the former WWE champion to bed and, hopefully, this feud too.
Result - Roman Reigns wins via pinfall
Well, you have to feel a little sorry for Roman and Jinder; the booking and writing is not their fault. However, the action in the ring is down to them and that was hardly inspiring stuff. If the WWE seriously wants to position Roman to dethrone Lesnar this summer, they really aren't going the right way about it. What has Jinder gotten out of this?
3/10
Carmella v Asuka - SmackDown Live Women's title
Although Asuka had the best of the early exchanges and kept on going for her hip attacks - which actually looks like her bum - Carmella would take control of the bout and looked the best she has since making her way to the main roster nearly two years ago.
Carmella pulled out a suicide dive and several impressive holds as she frustrated and grated on the Empress of Tomorrow. However, just when it looked like Asuka might grab the win, an old friend came to the Princess of Staten Island's rescue.
James Ellsworth made his spectacular return, dressed in Asuka's clobber, to distract the former NXT champion. Once he revealed himself, a swift kick from Carmella would be enough to defeat the Japanese star.
Result - Carmella wins via pinfall
I can understand that some people might not like this booking, or the fact that the WWE has deemed it necessary that James Ellsworth is needed to keep Carmella's run going. However, as a heel champion, these kind of tactics are perfectly welcome. Let's see where it goes, huh? The action itself was carried by Carmella and she did a better job that her hordes of online haters would care to admit.
7/10
AJ Styles v Shinsuke Nakamura - WWE Title, Last Man Standing Match
AJ Styles was in no mood to mess around and this wasn't a match for chain wrestling or holds - there was a score to be settled.
AJ hit an early Phenomenal Forearm to the outside that had Nakamura wobbled, but then the 2018 Royal Rumble winner dominated proceedings. Nakamura hit the Kinshasa after running over some tables before throwing AJ through a table in the ring, forcing AJ to rise at the count of nine on two occasions.
AJ eventually hits Nakamura with a brutal Styles Clash from the steel steps to the outside and he followed that up with a stiff low blow to leave Nakamura stranded. The final nail in the coffin was Styles hitting a Phenomenal Forearm through a table, keeping Nakamura down for the 10 count while he rose at seven.
Result - AJ Styles wins
What. A. Match! This was everything it needed to be and the classic that both men couldn't quite conjure before hand. Maybe having the shackles taken off did the trick, but this was masterful storytelling on top of inventive action.
Styles retains his title and leaves Nakamura in his wake. What's next for the Artist is anyone's guess, but this was his best outing in a WWE ring to date - a recurring theme for some stars tonight.
9/10
Nia Jax v Ronda Rousey - Raw Women's title
Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax looked ready to go from the jump and that intensity carried the electricity of the bout
After an early flurry, Jax took over and dominated Rousey, delivering some big bumps that the crowd hadn't seen the former UFC champion take before.
Rousey made an electrfying comeback complete with combi strikes, a devastating knee, a judo slam and locks in the armbar, but Alexa Bliss breaks it up and attacks both women with the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Bliss, after destroying both women with the briefcase itself, then cashes in and becomes a five-time women's champion! Amazing scenes.
Result - Match ends in a no contest after Alexa Bliss cashes in her MITB contract
Wow! Bliss was the perfect suitor for the Money in the Bank contract and she wasted no time at all proving why. It made so much sense; she wanted to steal Rousey's limelight and steal victory from her grasp, and she also has very recent history with Nia Jax and good reason to steal the title from her.
For the WWE, it protects both Jax and Rousey, both of whom put on career-making performances, far exceeding what most fans - this writer included - expected. Rousey is making a habit of that.
9/10
Kevin Owens v Braun Strowman v Kofi Kingston v Rusev v Bobby Roode v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe v The Miz - Men's MITB Ladder Match
Kofi Kingston proved to be the surprise entrant from the New Day and in typical New Day style, the reveal was extremely entertaining. All the participants started the match by ganging up on Braun Strowman and they left the Monster Among Men underneath a heap of ladders at the top of the ramp.
After some nice action in the ring, the Monster is awoken and that prompted Kevin Owens, Rusev and Samoa Joe to try and take the big man out. With Owens atop of an enormous ladder, Braun deals with Joe and Rusev before ascending to meet Owens, proceeding to chuck him from the start, a la Shane McMahon in 2000.
Braun would steal the show by demolishing every man in sight. Rusev attempted on Accolade three men at once back in the ring as the action broke down, but Samoe Joe interrupted with a Coquina Clutch. Finn Balor made his mark by hitting a Coup de Grace on Bobby Roode from a huge ladder set up outside the ring. Finally, Braun Strowman races up the ladder with Balor before Kingston jumps on Strowman's back. After dealing with both men, Strowman unhooks the briefcase and wins the match.
Result - Braun Strowman wins the Men's MITB contract
Not many people expected Strowman to win because it was so obvious. Of course he was too powerful for anyone in the match, but he doesn't need a briefcase to get a title shot or need to use cowardly tactics. It's pretty confusing in that regard. Still, it was a very fun match packed with memorable moments and the crowd was elated with the outcome.
Now that Braun has been pushed to the moon in recent months, surely the WWE have decided he is the man to finally dethrone Brock. Let's hope so.
9/10