Last night on Raw we began the Money in the Bank qualifying matches and that will continue tonight on SmackDown Live. It was nice to see WWE really putting over the MITB matches by having every superstar vying for a spot; it was the central focus of the show. That’s how you build hype. The pay-per-view isn’t until June and SmackDown is “must watch” just to see who will be added. Now, take Backlash out back and Ol’ Yeller it.
Paige said she’ll be starting the show on Twitter, and who knows what she’ll be announcing with three MITB qualifying matches already scheduled. However, this is only night two of this drama and we have six weeks left to go so anything is possible. Also, there’s some fallout from Backlash 2018, the best pay-per-view since WrestleMania 9.
First Groot, now Drax
After chopping down the oak that is Big Cass, Daniel Bryan will have to face the most inadvertently hilarious character on the roster, Rusev, in a MITB qualifying match. Since Vince and the boys backstage aren’t sold on Rusev Day, odds are Ru-Ru won’t pick up the victory here. However, with a butt-hurt giant stalking Bryan, the match could go either way.
Cass could make his presence felt in several ways during the match, not to mention Aiden English on the side. Aiden English: always the answer to “who’s the whitest person you know outside of Sheamus?” Will the numbers be too much or will D-Bry be joining Finn and Braun at MITB?
Hardy Hardly Needs this Match
Next on the MITB world tour, US Champ Jeff Hardy will be squaring off against the former Intercontinental Champion, The Miz. While watching these two in the ring should be a fun, serviceable match, there’s something really sad about this that can’t be glossed over. That poor damn US Title.
Last night Rollins made a point to be the only superstar on the roster not trying to get into the MITB match. He specifically said he wasn’t interested or focused on it because he was focused on making the Intercontinental title the biggest title on Raw.
I get they kinda have to do that since Brock isn’t around and it’s the only male singles championship that’ll be on Raw every week. They have to hype it up. However, when you make a point to tell me the IC champ doesn’t want a shot at the WWE or Universal Championship, but your US Champ does, what does that tell me about the quality of the titles?
It says the Intercontinental Title is important and the US Title is something for John Cena and Roman to carry around until they get the “real” title. Though Hardy is better suited to the ladder match, here’s hoping he doesn’t qualify and focuses on the belt he already has.
Queen Dethroned
What’s next for SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella after her clash with the ‘Queen’ at Backlash? The ‘Princess of Staten Island’ has taken the throne, but there are plenty waiting to take her crown. Could Becky, Asuka or Naomi be next in line? Who do you want to see face off against ‘Money ‘Mella’?
Charlotte Flair failed to regain her title but is already looking for her next opportunity by facing Peyton Royce tonight in a MITB qualifying match. Will this be sweet revenge for the ‘Queen’ against a woman who’s partially responsible for Flair losing her title? Or will Royce score another IIconic victory?
From Dream Match to Disappointing
Shinsuke “The Nutcracker” Nakamura (it’s not any dumber the “the artist”) and AJ Styles fought to another inconclusive finish at Backlash. It’s almost like Vince is trolling all of us at this point for not excepting Reigns.
“You don’t want Roman? Well, then you can’t have anything!” Vince screams while derailing anybody we get behind. Seriously, AJ vs. Shinsuke fights to a “no contest” in the middle of the card, while Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe, a fight with no real build and nothing at stake, is the headliner. I call shenanigans.
This rivalry should continue without a definitive winner being declared at Backlash. Though, Samoa Joe could be in the mix as he promised he was coming for whoever held the title after the much-maligned pay-per-view.
However, after last night’s booking placed so much emphasis on the MITB matches, it’s very possible that Nakamura’s and/or Joe’s route to the title will eventually be dangling above a ring. That is to say, like Roman, they may have a token qualifying match tonight, though losing it could actually put them in contention for the title sooner.
Also to watch for…
- Lana playing Yoko and breaking up Rusev Day. I don’t even want to talk about this. The thought it happening breaks my fast-food engorged heart.
- Could Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas debut tonight? Probably not, they’re really milking this thing.
- Thought the New Day had a sketch at Backlash, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions and the Usos were nowhere to be found. What’s next for these three teams? Will SAnitY appear and add to the already great tag team division? I also wouldn’t mind watching the Good Brothers vs. the Bludgeon Brothers.
What are you excited about for tonight’s SmackDown Live? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter here.
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