Coming off of their 2019 European Tour, the RAW and SmackDown Live brands reunite this Sunday for the joint-brand WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view from the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The show marks the tenth event under the Money In The Bank chronology.
The show will air live via pay-per-view and on the WWE Network on Sunday evening, with a one-hour Kickoff Show pre-show at 6pm EST., leading into the main card at 7pm EST.
WWE Money In The Bank will feature the traditional Men’s and Women’s Ladder Matches, with the winners earning the briefcase and a shot at the world title at a time and place of their choosing. Also on the PPV this Sunday night is a highly-anticipated Steel Cage Match, a WWE Universal Championship clash between Seth Rollins and A.J. Styles that is expected to be a Match of the Year candidate, as well as a heated WWE Championship showdown between Kofi Kingston and Kevin Owens.
Additionally, “The Man” will be competing twice, as Becky Lynch defends her RAW and SmackDown Women’s Championships in separate singles matches on the card.
SEScoops.com writers Ian Carey, Jeff Moss and Andrew Ravens have prepared their predictions for each of the matches scheduled for Sunday night’s big event. Without further adieu, here are the SEScoops.com staff predictions for WWE Money In The Bank 2019.
Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs. The Usos (SmackDown Tag Titles)
Ian Carey: If you are confused as to why the RAW tag-team of the Usos is facing the Smackdown tag team champions in a non-title match, I can help. You see, the Usos were drafted to RAW but since Smackdown is their cousin Roman Reigns’ yard, he told them they can just come by anytime they want. It’s not even clear if the Usos count towards the Wild Card rule or if they simply just have their own rules regarding when they can appear on Smackdown. Regardless, they are taking on the Planet’s tag team champions in a non-title match in Hartford. That the match is non-title leads me to believe the Usos will win. (Prediction: The Usos)
Jeff Moss: Call me crazy on this one, but since the Usos aren’t on Smackdown, it would be a little strange to have them walk away with the titles. Should be a fun match, but Bryan and Rowan walk away winners. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan & Rowan)
Andrew Ravens: Another example of this having no logic behind it other than these guys will have a good match. For a RAW tag team to be booked in a SmackDown title match makes no sense. The Usos won’t win the titles because then WWE would actually have to explain a storyline. Also, Bryan and Rowan had just won the titles and already beat The Usos. It’s a shame that Bryan goes from one of the WrestleMania main events to working a pre-show contest. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan & Rowan)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Daniel Bryan & Rowan
Tony Nese vs. Ariya Daivari (WWE Cruiserweight Title)
Ian: It feels too early still for Tony Nese to lose the title, though this is a common feeling regarding champions who won their titles at Mania. The cruiserweight division feels pretty stale since it lost Ali and Buddy Murphy. At least WWE is making good use of Murphy on Smackdown though….oh, wait. (Prediction: Tony Nese)
Jeff: I won’t lie: I haven’t watched 205 Live in weeks. That said, Tony Nese is crazy ripped and should have no trouble retaining in this sure-to-be-kickoff-match. (Prediction: Tony Nese)
Andrew: Nese just won the title one month ago at WrestleMania and he needs a long reign as champion to be made a real name in the division. Daivari is talented but I’m surprised that this wasn’t moved to the pre-show. (Prediction: Tony Nese)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Tony Nese
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio (WWE U.S. Title)
Ian: The difference between Joe vs Rey at Mania and Joe vs Rey at MITB will be Rey’s son Dominic. On Smackdown building up to this match, Dominic has played a pivotal role. It seems quite possible that Dominic will factor into the match result here, allowing his father to pick up the win and earn the United States title in the process. (Prediction: Rey Mysterio)
Jeff: Joe destroyed Rey at Wrestlemania, so I’m betting he’s expecting the same here. Rey should win this with a surprise quickness (his forte) and leave a shocked Joe ready to start stalking Domminick the way he did Wendy. (Prediction: Rey Mysterio)
Andrew: I expect this match to be longer than their WrestleMania match and honestly, this program has been interesting as a slow build. That doesn’t excuse the poor execution of how WWE has built this match. No reason to have Rey win though. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Rey Mysterio
Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Title)
Ian: I’m picking Kofi Kingston to pick up the win here. The question regarding Kingston’s title run is how long of a reign they will give him. Working against Kofi is that Roman Reigns is now on Smackdown. Still, it seems unlikely they would cut-off Kingston’s title reign this quickly. I’m predicting he gets past Owens on Sunday and holds the title until about SummerSlam. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)
Jeff: I’m quite digging “Serious” Kofi on Smackdown these days, but Kevin Owens is the best and most ruthless heel in the company, Non-Chiampa Division. Or at least he should be. I expect Kofi to retain the title here, but Owens will win the match. Either by provoking New Day into a DQ or via some other skullduggery, possibly involving Sami Zayn. This feud ain’t over yet, as they say. (Prediction: Kevin Owens via DQ)
Andrew: While it wouldn’t be the best move, I can’t say that I would be shocked to see Owens win the title here. Kingston needs a win over someone like Owens to get over as a main event player in the eyes of the casual fan. He’s been pushed as a comedy figure for so long now that fans need to be convinced to take him seriously. That starts here and with a win over Owens. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Kofi Kingston
The Miz vs. Shane McMahon (Steel Cage Match)
Ian: I will freely admit that I’ve been fast-forwarding this segment every week. Shane will win because he lost at WrestleMania and a big spot off the top of the cage will take place. Hopefully this match will run for an hour between 9-10PM so everyone can switch to Game of Thrones. (Prediction: Shane McMahon)
Jeff: All I can hope for this match is that its a) short, and b) the end of the is feud. As much as I love cage matches, a Shane McMahon cage match isn’t really something I’m excited to see in 2019. Maybe the B Team gets involved, maybe they don’t, it doesn’t matter. I just want it to be over so Miz can move onto a program with someone deserving. (Prediction: The Miz)
Andrew: This should be the final match in this program and what an odd match to have them in. Granted, they just had a street fight at WrestleMania so that gimmick was not an option. But for McMahon, he’s known as a brawler and does crazy spots. While he’ll do a crazy spot in this match off the top of the cage, I think having a cage match will hurt the contest. Miz should and will likely go over as this feud finally comes to an end. (Prediction: The Miz)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, The Miz
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown Women’s Title)
Ian: One idea is that Charlotte will win the title under dubious circumstances. Perhaps Lynch will be too badly beat up from her match with Lacey Evans. Or perhaps Lynch will be too badly beat up after her match with Charlotte that the women’s MITB match winner cashes in. There are numerous possible scenarios where Lynch loses at least one title at Money in the Bank but I honestly don’t think any of them will come to pass. Lynch wins here too. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)
Jeff: Now this one I believe will actually be the end of Becky Two Belts. The whole dominant Champion thing hasn’t worked out the way it should have and it would be better for Becky to have on title to focus on. Put the belt back on Charlotte (groan) perhaps via Lacey interference. This will give Becky a singular focus and the Smackdown women’s division a reason to exist. (Prediction: Charlotte Flair)
Andrew: While it was fun to have Lynch be both champions, it’s time that she focuses on one division and brand going forward. Most people including me are over this feud that needs to wrap up. With Flair being her biggest challenger and Lynch working two matches, WWE has an easy out to have Lynch drop the title without losing momentum. (Prediction: Charlotte Flair)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Charlotte Flair
Roman Reigns vs. Elias
Ian: Roman Reigns will win this match. I’m not sure what else could possibly be said here. The real question might be how long is it until Roman Reigns is in the title picture on Smackdown. Reigns is the top star on the brand but he’ll have to be kept away from Kofi if they don’t want the fans to turn on him again. It’s likely Reigns will exist in his own little universe on Smackdown until there is a heel champion. That means Reigns will just roll through guys like Elias for the next several months. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Jeff: Roman Reigns is a golden god. We all know this, but Elias is a current favourite of those that make the decisions. He’s a great heel and destined for big things, and a win of Roman here would be a big feather in his cap, since he usually gets murked in this situations. I expect Elias to win, but through some kind of cheating that lets Roman continue looking Strong, as he does. (Prediction: Elias)
Andrew: I hope this is a one and done match in this program as Reigns feels like he should be feuding with a bigger name than Elias. Heck, a feud with Shane McMahon would be more interesting due to the McMahon connection. That might be something that they do going into SummerSlam. Reigns goes over. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Roman Reigns
Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Ian: The winner of this match will very likely be the wrestler to take one of Becky’s 2 belts away from her. This means someone in this match is likely turning heel sooner rather than later. 7 of the 8 wrestlers in the match are babyfaces, with only Mandy Rose serving as a heel. That could mean Rose is winning the match but likely it means someone else is turning heel. I believe that person will be Natalya. (Prediction: Natalya)
Jeff: They added her last minute, but to me the most fun person to have the case would be Nikki Cross. Lean in hard on her Chaotic Tasmanian Devil side and let her have a long run with the case, popping up at random times and leaving whoever has the title on edge. But let’s be honest, it’ll probably be Bailey. I’m still pulling for Nikki though. (Prediction: Nikki Cross)
Andrew: This one is a toss-up and honestly a match that I have no interest in seeing as WWE didn’t do a good job of making me emotionally interested. Based on the betting odds, Rose is the favorite and I can see that. However, I don’t see her having a title reign. (Prediction: Mandy Rose)
CONSENSUS: None (Natalya, Cross & Rose each receive 1 pick)
Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Ian: It used to be whoever won this match became a future World Champion. That’s not the case anymore, however. Just ask Damien Sandow or Mr. Kennedy. In this case, however, I believe the winner of this match will eventually become the man to dethrone Kofi Kingston. For that reason, I’m picking Randy Orton, leading to a renewal of their rivalry. (Prediction: Randy Orton)
Jeff: With Kofi (Presumably) retaining his title, I’d love to see the briefcase go to Sami Zayn. Zayn’s “I Hate You All” attitude lately hasn’t always been great, but it would be a cool twist to the character for him to hate us, hate WWE, but also have the keys to the kingdom so to speak. Plus it would be a cool wrinkle in the Zayn/Owens relationship. (Prediction: Sami Zayn)
Andrew: The two standouts here are McIntyre and Andrade for me as they have been both pushed heavily for months. They would also serve as worthy title challengers on their respective brands. I don’t think Andrade is there yet but McIntyre being that guy is something that is more clear. McIntyre wins and goes onto SummerSlam in the main event against Seth Rollins. (Prediction: Drew McIntyre)
CONSENSUS: None (Orton, Zayn & McIntyre each receive 1 pick)
Seth Rollins vs. A.J. Styles (WWE Universal Title)
Ian: I’m taking Seth Rollins in this match and I believe it will eventually lead to an AJ Styles heel turn. Rollins beat Lesnar clean at Mania, he’s not going to turn around lose to Styles here. I bet Rollins wins clear, leading Styles to reevaluate his babyface tendencies. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Jeff: I know they are making a big deal of this (alleged) first time ever matchup between two of the best in the company, but I’ll be honest: AJ Styles hasn’t had a match that blew me away in a long time. If it’s not too over booked, it should be a good back and forth bout, but Seth keeps his Red band-aid. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Andrew: This should be one of the best matches of the night but I don’t think it’s time for WWE to have Rollins drop the strap to Styles. Although logic is not what WWE is known for, to have Rollins win the title from Brock Lesnar just one month ago, he needs a long title reign but working with Styles will get him over even more with fans as a worthy contender. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Seth Rollins
Becky Lynch vs. Lacey Evans (RAW Women’s Title)
Ian: Becky Lynch could have to defend a title 3x at Money in the Bank: against Lacey, Charlotte, and potentially whoever wins the women’s MITB match. Of the 3 possible wrestlers who could defeat Lynch on Sunday, Lacey should be considered the least likely. WWE may have big plans for Lacey but that aren’t going to pull the trigger on those this weekend. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)
Jeff: Here’s how this match should go down: Entrances. Bell. Becky destroyes Evans. Bell. Where’s Charlotte? I dunno if it’s going to be that simple, but it should be given how much (frankly) better Becky is than Lacey Evans. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)
Andrew: This match should be under five minutes long. Evans is still very green and with Lynch working two matches in one night, she should dominate Evans, who is clearly not ready for this spot or even the main roster yet thus far in her career. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Becky Lynch
What do the experts think is going to happen on Sunday? Check out the official WWE Money In The Bank betting odds. What do you think of the above WWE Money In The Bank predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section below, and make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Sunday evening for live play-by-play results coverage of the show!
