By Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt)

6/18/2018

If the Money in the Bank PPV should leave us thinking anything, it is how brilliant the idea to create the briefcase truly is.

Take a chance on Ronda Rousey (2018). Give Daniel Bryan a title victory (2013). Let John Cena keep winning (A few times). It’s all because of that beautiful box with a handle that holds a contract for the triumphant (and lucky) superstar. Just as genius as the Royal Rumble, the Money in the Bank is a writer’s dream. Start your stories from scratch (but with some good reason) and do whatever you want leading up to either the point someone wins the briefcase or runs to the ring to cash it in.

Last night we saw Rousey in a title match. It wasn’t the greatest build to a title match up. I believe it took them up until the night of the Money in the Bank to figure out a reason for Nia Jax to actually want to fight Rousey (and I thought Michael Cole painted it pretty clearly. If Nia was going to have to face Rousey eventually, why not do it while she’s still green in the ring? Sort of a “get it out of the way now” and Nia gets to walk away with her belt and has reason to not fight Rousey again, for a long time).

All of the reasons in the world didn’t matter, however, as the Goddess herself, Alexa Bliss, made her way to the ring for one of the quicker cash-ins in WWE history. Alexa’s cash-in not only made the WWE Universe instantly forget how angry they were about the booking of Rousey, but it also gave Rousey a chance to show her abilities without sacrificing any success to the snarks and their snarking.

I for one believe in Ronda and know she’s already coming to the ring and giving her battles a ‘big fight’ feel. With most of the WWE Universe thinking a different way, the WWE was able to create a high profile match, allow Rousey to perform (and story line wise, look formidable) and walk away with a happy fan base.

Years ago the WWE used the Money in the Bank to gain mega heat and create a new storyline for John Cena, Randy Orton, and Daniel Bryan. I think the WWE was still unsure of the star power they had in a Daniel Bryan. They don’t mistake that power today, but back in 2013, Daniel Bryan was working his way up the ladder, regardless of anything WWE’s creative team could do to slow it down (if accidental or not).

The ground swell of support for Daniel Bryan was hitting its peak in 2013 and the WWE wasn’t able to get through a main event promo without hearing thousands of fans cheering Daniel Bryan’s name. And Daniel, at no fault of his own, is surrounded by bigger superstars. Stars that appeal more to the casual fan and stars that come with a taller frame and the look of a bodybuilder. Daniel is no slouch, but you can’t teach height (as Daniel Bryan knows ever so clearly after feuding with Big Cass). What Bryan did teach himself is a very particular set of skills that puts him at the top of his class, skill wise. His wrestling acumen, non-stop ring movement, and high energy matches made him the apple of the fans’ eye.

Like I stated previously, the WWE was not quite ready to believe. So, after giving into the fan support, the WWE gave Daniel Bryan the win over John Cena. However, after only a few minutes of celebration with the COO, Triple H, Randy Orton’s music hit and the Viper began to slither his way to the ring. Triple H, doing his own impression of a snake in the grass, hits Daniel Bryan with a Pedigree and helps Randy Orton cash in the Money in the Bank and win the WWE Championship.

The WWE also needs to keep their characters looking good. See the first cash in with Cena and Edge. John Cena, as we know now, does not casually lose championship matches. He stands tall to all competitors and it takes a heck of a lot to keep him down. That being said, John Cena in the chase (for a title) is way more interesting than his defense of that belt. Furthermore, the fans lose interest in a belt when it stays in the hands of one man (like in today’s WWE and stupid Brock Lesnar).

Having that Money in the Bank briefcase handy will ensure the strength of your giants is never in question. John Cena lost the WWE Championship only after defeating a gaggle of Superstars in the Elimination Chamber. The Elimination Chamber, being a grueling, winner takes all, hard hitting, steel encased nightmare (even for pro wrestling’s finishes being pre-determined). John was notably under 100%, barely able to stand, and had to face off against a fresh and able bodied Edge. Even with a touch of theater added with a kick-out, Edge walks away with the WWE Championship.

The Money in the Bank has added and will continue to add a wonderful pinch of drama to our favorite soap opera. Much like the Royal Rumble and all of its splendor, the Money in the Bank gives any superstar the opportunity to be someone new.  Leading up to the Royal Rumble, guys could go on amazingly bad losing streaks, but the Royal Rumble cures all. Just look at Carmella and the height she’s climbed to since winning the briefcase a year ago.

Looking at the endless possibilities with the briefcase, you could make the argument that Braun Strowman was the wrong choice. The lack of appearances by Brock Lesnar means a significantly smaller amount of drama on a weekly basis. Regardless of who could’ve won, Braun Strowman has been given the key to the castle…for all intents and purposes. Now he just needs to lie and wait. This chase will be fun when Brock does show up. Until then, let’s celebrate the Women’s Money in the Bank one more time.

The champion is gold on the mic, the chase for a new contender will be twofold and we get everything we could’ve hoped for from a Rousey vs Jax title match: A great enough finish to help us forget that awful story leading into Money in the Bank.

Obviously it has always been a great tool in the WWE, but last night was a shining example of how the WWE constantly perfects the use of their greatest tools. I’m keeping my fingers crossed on Braun Strowman and the Men’s Money in the Bank (and praying to…I dunno…some higher being…or Vince McMahon…that he stays on Raw and doesn’t ruin the beauty that is the Smackdown Live Championship. RUSEV DAY!!!!!)

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