WWE Money in the Bank 2018 Results and Review: Bliss On Repeat

Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)

The summer of WWE is an important time for wrestling fans as the company takes wild risks with unique stories and generally give fresh stars a chance to shine. Money in the Bank is as good a place as any to start the summer going.

With two briefcases in place to potentially give to one of many wrestlers have never held WWE gold, the smallest promise of the night was that we would have two likely future champions crowned on the night.

Of course there are also a bunch of championship matches on this card, but, given the booking going in, it was always unlikely any of the titles would change hands.

This Week's Monday Night Raw Review

Glad Harper and Rowan have tag team moves, but why are so many just putting more force on a singles move?

The Bludgeon Brothers def. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to Retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships

Overview: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson brought a strong gameplan to this match by bringing the full fight to The Bludgeon Brothers, but they could not match the power of Harper and Rowan. Gallows and Anderson set up the Magic Killer on Harper, but Rowan returned to take out Anderson and set up an assisted powerbomb on Gallows for the win.

Highlights:

• Gallows and Anderson set up The Bludgeon Brothers in the corner for tandem running kicks with Gallows then setting Harper on the top rope for a running single-leg dropkick from Anderson that sent Harper crashing to the floor.
• Harper and Rowan slammed Gallows face into the apron then double dropkicked Gallows into the ramp.
• Anderson sent Rowan's shoulder into the post then hit a spinebuster on Harper.
• Gallows knocked Rowan off the apron with a big boot then hit Harper with a pump-handle slam.

Analysis: This was as good a match as The Bludgeon Brothers have had since their rebranding, but that's only because it is the first time they have been allowed to work a more two-sided fight. It was fairly basic and lacked heat. It felt like Harper and Rowan were still holding back.

Rating: 7.5/10

Cass has to lean down just to let the indie midget hit him.

Daniel Bryan def. Big Cass

Overview: Big Cass brought more intensity and ingenuity to his second clash with Daniel Bryan, but he did not have enough. Cass hit the big boot only for a nearfall which caused Cass to freak out and run right into a running knee followed by the heel hook for the submission.

Highlights:

• Bryan tripped Cass early and went for the heel hook, but Cass kicked him off then whip Bryan to the apron before knocking him into the barricade.
• Cass caught Bryan in a bear hug with Bryan fighting out only to get caught running with a spinning side slam.
• Cass taunted too long and was tripped into the turnbuckle, setting up an attack on the left knee with a pair of dragon screws before slamming the knee into the apron and then slamming it into the post.
• Bryan dropkicked the back of Cass into the corner followed by a series of corner dropkicks then was almost caught by Cass only to spin into the Yes Lock.
• Cass propped up Bryan on the top rope for a second-rope fallaway slam.
• Bryan could not fight out of the torture rack before Cass turned it into a rack slam.

Analysis: This was as good as I have ever seen from Cass. He showed off a varied moveset and meshed well with Bryan to keep the pace rolling. It was not all that exciting a contest given the result felt too obvious, but it was a vintage performance from Bryan on top of Cass's best. Now the two can move on.

Rating: 8.5/10

Just scrap the men's divisions. Okay, that seems like an extreme reaction to this match, but it was my first reaction.

Bobby Lashley def. Sami Zayn

Overview: Sami Zayn tried to keep his distance from Bobby Lashley and aggravate Lashley into making a mistake which did not work for long. Lashley began to viciously attack Zayn and hit a trio of vertical suplexes to take a relatively easy victory.

Highlights:

• Zayn threw Lashley into the steel post then again into a second.
• Lashley caught the fist of Zayn then knocked Zayn to the mat with a clothesline.
• Lashley caught Zayn's crossbody and turned it into a fallaway slam then a spinebuster and delayed vertical suplex.

Analysis: This match did its job, but Lashley and Zayn are way too good to have a match this basic. It was a complete waste of their talent which is a good way of describing the entire rivalry. The only positive here was seeing Lashley shed the smile.

Rating: 6/10

I feel like Elias has all that hair just to make it look more impactful when he takes moves.

Seth Rollins def. Elias to Retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Overview: Elias decided Chicago was not worthy of a concert tonight. Rollins took this match slow to start, but Elias used this to his advantage to go after the neck of Rollins. When The Architect's leg gave out on him as well, Rollins needed any trick he would manage to escape with the win, rolling up Elias with a handful of tights for three.

Highlights:

• Rollins dropkicked Elias then caught him escaping outside with a slingshot plancha followed by a springboard clothesline back in the ring.
• Rolling missed a running knee and was clotheslined into the apron to the floor.
• Elias DDTed Rollins for a nearfall then locked in a modified Cobra Clutch that he refused to let go even as Rollins rolled him to the floor.
• Rollins clotheslined Elias outside followed by a suicide dive then a blockbuster.
• Elias ducked a springboard from Rollins, causing Rollins' knee to buckle and allowing Elias to hit a high knee.
• Rollins rolled Elias into position for a low-angle superkick then went for a frog splash only to have Elias get the knees up.
• Elias went to the top rope only to get caught for a superplex and Falcon Arrow.
• Rollins went for a Stomp, but Elias dodged it then reverse a suicide dive by sending Rollins into the barricade then post followed by a diving elbow drop.

Analysis: Elias rarely gets to show off his best on pay-per-view, but this was truly a star-making performance from The Drifter. Both men were at their best here with Rollins selling so well that it was easy to worry he was truly injured. It was the best match of the first hour and brought up the quality of the night.

Rating: 9/10

Becky Lynch as always just a few finger tips away from what she'll never have.

Alexa Bliss Wins the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Overview: The mad dash started early in this match with everyone going for a ladder. Over time, it became clear Becky Lynch was just about the most driven to succeed only for Charlotte Flair to always get in her way. When Lynch finally took out Charlotte though, Alexa Bliss knocked her down onto a ladder and took the briefcase.

Highlights:

• Ember Moon sent Sasha Banks into the ladder with a springboard crossbody then Lana ran in to send Moon into the ladder with a sitout facebuster.
  
• Natalya knocked Natalya into the splits on a ladder to set up a running stomp to the back and basement dropkick.
• Lynch and Charlotte fought over a ladder until Naomi jumped over it for a clothesline to Natalya then dropkicked the ladder onto both before taking out Bliss on the floor then Banks as well with a blockbuster off the apron.
• Naomi and Moon tried to set up the ladder together with Lynch climbing up it before getting thrown down and taking low running tandem corner dropkicks.
• Banks set up Naomi and Lana on a ladder in the corner for a double knee drop.
• Banks fought out of a Razor's Edge to climb the ladder before Lynch knocked Banks off the ladder to hit a diving double knee drop on Charlotte and Natalya.
• Six women fought on two ladders until Charlotte for involved and began taking out multiple women including powerbombing Moon onto a ladder before Bliss hit Charlotte with a sunset flip powerbomb.
• Lana took out Bliss with a side kick and The Accolade with Naomi jumping onto the ladder to set herself up to stop Lana climbing.
• Charlotte Speared Moon into a ladder followed by Lynch hitting Charlotte with a Bexploder onto the ladder.

Analysis: This was a great ladder match with the women getting the time to deliver this year and using every second. It was a pure adrenaline rush of a clash with the pacing never slowing. The only real disappointment was Bliss winning who was honestly the least interesting possible winner in this match given her frequent spot in the title picture.

Rating: 9.25/10

The expression on Reigns' face says it all. Even he is wondering why he's in this match right now.

Roman Reigns def. Jinder Mahal

Overview: Sunil Singh wheeled himself out to the ring to support Jinder Mahal. Singh's injuries were clearly exaggerated as he got up multiple times before taking a Superman Punch and Spear. Mahal tried to use the distraction to roll up Reigns, but Reigns fought through and hit a Spear.

Highlights:

• Mahal dodged a Drive By then Singh stood up and pushed Reigns into the post.
  
• Reigns set up a running clothesline, but Mahal answered with a running knee.
  
• Mahal caught Reigns with a boot to set up a fireman's carry gutbuster nearfall.
  
• Mahal sent Reigns hard to the apron, but Reigns dodged the elbow of Mahal and hit a running leg drop and Drive By.
  

Analysis: This was better than it had any right to be, but it never should have happened. I don't blame the crowd not giving it a chance given the story and Reigns' status. Still, Mahal and Reigns have chemistry and pulled out some quality action along the way.

Rating: 7.75/10

Asuka is disappointed about her streak and would like that championship, but she may take moonwalking lessons as a consolation prize.

Carmella def. Asuka to Retain the SmackDown Women's Championship

Overview: Carmella looked confident and well-schooled against Asuka to start, dodging The Empress of Tomorrow's best shots. However, Asuka refused to let up, adjusting and getting more angry. Just as Asuka was ready to end it, someone stepped on the apron in her attire, revealing himself to be James Ellsworth to step up a superkick for Carmella's win.

Highlights:

• Carmella moonwalked on Asuka, but Asuka answered by sending Carmella running with close spinning back fists.
• Carmella slapped Asuka which set up Asuka for a running hip attacks then a series of low hip attacks into a hip attack to the floor.
• Carmella caught Asuka's arm and whipped her into the post before locking in double underhook headscissors lock.
• Asuka missed another spinning back fist and took a boot to the gut then a low-angle superkick.
• Asuka missed the missile dropkick, but a confident Carmella had her knee caught into a quick kneebar.
• Asuka planted Carmella with a roundhouse kick then German suplex before going for the Asuka Lock with Carmella barely making it to the ropes which she used to trip Asuka to the floor.

Analysis: This is the best I can ever remember Carmella looking in the ring. She was crisp, focused, and pulled out moves I did not know she had in her arsenal. She has had better matches over the years, but they are few and far between and mainly leaned on her opponent. Here Asuka really pulled the best out of Carmella.

I am not big on bringing back Ellsworth like this. It was a shame to see him depart at the time, but he was always playing up a one-note act. It would have been easy to ally Carmella with someone in the division instead of having her rely on Ellsworth again.

Rating: 8/10

Finally, it is clear. WWE will never let a Japanese star win a championship.

AJ Styles def. Shinsuke Nakamura to Retain the WWE Championship in a Last Man Standing Match

Overview: It was clear from the moment the bell sounded that this was going to be brutal and vicious as they two went after each other with kicks and punches. When both men stood up after the other man's best shot, Styles low blowed Nakamura then Phenomenal Forearmed him through the announce table to get the ten count.

Highlights:

• Styles knocked Nakamura out of the air with a dropkick to the knees.
• Styles avoided a Nakamura low blow then Styles missed his signature offense only to barely reversed a Kinshasa into a running forearm.
• Styles set up a Phenomenal Forearm, but Nakamura took him down with a kick.
• Nakamura set up Styles on the announce table and hit a Kinshasa for a nine count.
• Nakamura set up a table to send Styles through, but Styles almost reversed it into a powerbomb with Nakamura escaping and slamming Styles onto the table before throwing him right through it for another nine count.
• Styles dodged Nakamura's corner high knee, sending the knee directly into an exposed turnbuckle.
• Styles went after Nakamura with a steel chair, but Nakamura caught him up close with a low blow for nine then got up again at nine after a Kinshasa on the floor.
• Styles knocked down Nakamura from the announce table and hit a Phenomenal Forearm then a Styles Clash off the steel steps for a near-10 count.

Analysis: There were some minor flaws in this bout, but this was truly what I was looking for from these two. It was an absolute classic of a brutal war that showed what makes both men great. They sold the hatred that defined their rivalry and had one of the best Last Man Standing matches ever.

Rating: 9.75/10

Rousey is already fuming about how she's going to get overshadowed by Alexa Bliss in a few minutes.

Ronda Rousey def. Nia Jax By Disqualification; Nia Jax Retain the Raw Women's Championship; Alexa Bliss def. Nia Jax to Become the New Raw Women's Champion

Overview: Nia Jax came out physical and dominating in the early portions of this match, and she did not let up. Ronda Rousey was cleared taken off guard, but she recovered enough to get rolling. Just as she looked to finally catch Jax in the armbar, Bliss ran in with her briefcase to take out both women.

She laid out Rousey before taking down Jax then cashed in on the spot. She hit Jax with a DDT into the Twisted Bliss to win the title and stand tall over both women.

Highlights:

• Rousey reversed a fireman's carry into a Kimura right into an armbar which Jax blocked and eventually turned into a powerbomb.
• Jax went for a powerbomb outside that Rousey tried to reverse into a headscissors takedown, but Jax did not budge before whipping Rousey into the barricade.
• Jax bounced Rousey into the ropes to get momentum for a Samoan drop.
• Rousey ducked Jax, sending Jax into the post, then locked in an armbar over the ropes then hit a diving crossbody.
• Rousey got rolling with a series of strong strikes then hit a judo throw.
• Rousey caught Jax with a side slam then went for the armbar.

Analysis: Take out the finish, and this was going perfectly. What Rousey was doing was fairly basic, but both brought so much poise and emotion to it all. The story was told perfectly with not even a moment of hesitation throughout. Rousey looked even better than she did at WrestleMania, adding an energy to her performance that few can.

That said, I am still frustrated we are stuck in a loop with Bliss on Raw. The brand was shifting in a new direction only to crash back into the hands of The Goddess. She does not need that title, but I guess this sets up better for Rousey to defeat a major heel to take the title.

Rating: 8.5/10

At this point, in kayfabe, I'm not sure it's actually possible to beat Braun Strowman.

Braun Strowman Wins the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Overview: The New Day finally answered the questions about who would fight among their members when Kofi Kingston took the spot. As the bell rang, everyone went after Braun Strowman, attacking him with ladders to the stage.

In the closing moments of the match, Kofi launched himself off the ropes onto Strowman's back to get to the case only to get thrown to the side to the floor before The Monster pulled down the briefcase to win.

Highlights:

• Miz tried to steal the win early with everyone attacking Strowman, but Joe knocked down his ladder, starting a brawl Kofi ended with a Trouble in Paradise to Joe.
• Kofi leap frogged the pump-up powerbomb, but KO caught him with a superkick.
• Kofi's stage dive onto the rivals outside was caught only for Balor to take them all out with a somersault plancha.
• Joe hit Strowman with a running forearm to the outside then KO hit a superkick into a Rusev Machka Kick.
• Joe knocked out Strowman with a Coquina Clutch followed by a KO superkick to set up a frog splash by KO that Strowman blocked before throwing Owens off a huge ladder through a table.
• Rusev caught Kofi and Roode in the Accolade with Miz trying to break it only to get put in it as well before Joe pulled Rusev off with a Coquina Clutch.
• Balor took down Roode with a Coup De Grace off a huge ladder.

Analysis: This match became fairly one-note once Strowman got back into the fray which made this feel less like a main event on this card than it should have. While I was rooting for others, Strowman as Mr. Money in the Bank is cool and sets up well for him to set a time and place to finally dethrone Brock Lesnar.

Rating: 8.5/10

Backstage Notes: KO came with gifts for The New Day, a big full of pancakes and maple syrup, to try and get them to help him in the ladder match against Strowman. While the strategy worked to get their attention, Owens failed when he admitted he hates breakfast food.

Kurt Angle celebrated Bliss's win backstage with Paige certain SmackDown would still get a Money in the Bank briefcase. The Constable Baron Corbin tried to tell Angle to calm down, but Paige put him down for his MITB loss last year.

Conclusion: I had no expectations for Money in the Bank. It was an important show with half a card, and that played out a bit with a fairly unnecessary opening half. However, the important half really worked and was impressively memorable in a time where WWE often does not take risks.

The women's Money in the Bank ladder match coupled with Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax really made this a show driven by the women. The excitement was highest when the women's division was involved. Even Carmella was working at a higher level, only let down by the finish of their match.

On the men's side, Styles vs. Nakamura put on a true rivalry ender, and Strowman finally got his chance to shine. Some of the action otherwise let the night down, but I can't be disappointed with a card overachieving this much and steadily standing out.

If this were booked as a three hour show and let go of Lashley vs. Zayn, Reigns vs. Mahal, and the tag title match, this could have been a classic people were talking about years down the line.

Grade: A-