Before the show started, we had our wee, bearded hero, and former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Bryan, come out on the kick-off show to give us a few words. He tells us that he found out about being stripped of the titles at the same time as all of us, and that's just no nice of the Authority. Unfortunately there's a chance that Bryan will require another neck surgery, because the feeling hasn't returned in his arm. Heartbreaking. He assures us that he will be back and he will be champion again. All of a sudden, Bo Dallas appears, and inspired Daniel. Inspired him to tell Bo tae BO-lt.
The Usos vs Rowan and Harper (Tag Team Championships)
First match sets the tone, aye? Well the tone was well and truly set here, as the Usos showed themselves to be the best tag team in the company at the moment with a hard fought title defense. Bray Wyatt's family dominated for a large part of the match, and the belts looked all but theirs after Harper powerbombed one of the boys almost right through the canvas for a two count. Some suicide dives from the big man had the Usos seemingly out, and Rowan and Harper's double team powerbomb should have had the match won. However, it was after a thunderous double superplex on Rowan, that Jimmy and Jey made successive tags, both hitting big Erick with splashes, and picking up the win. Great opener for the show, which made both teams look strong going forward. Can still see Rowan and Harper with the tag belts sooner than later though, only a matter of time.
Paige vs Naomi (Divas Championship
As predicted, this was a belter of a match, with Paige being allowed to put on a proper wrestling match for the first time since becoming champ. Both women were impressive here, with Paige taking things outside very early on for a slice of hair pulling, head smashing brawness. Paige then goes up top for a superplex, but slips on the rope, resulting in both of them landing heavily on the outside. Back in the ring, Naomi locks in a sair looking surfboard like move, that had Paige screaming the place down, and then Paige tried to make Naomi submit using a stump puller. There's one from the old rasslin games. Naomi fights back and hits the rear view for a two count, and I actually thought she was going to do it here, but Paige channels her inner Devitt, and hits a spike DDT for the win. Keeping up the tempo from the first match, that's two from two so far in terms of successful, entertaining and most importantly - good matches. Better have a filler then...
Damien Sandow isny a rosebud
It makes us all sad, Damien Sandow's fall from being the savior of the unwashed masses, to being the uncrowned world heavyweight champion, to being a pantomime act. It's aw too much to handle. For the first time in a while, he wrestles properly, and he outwrestles the guy he's supposed to be jobbing to, Adam Rose. He hit's the You're Welcome for a two count, before the inevitable happened, and Rose hit the Party Foul, or whatever it's called, for the win. Damien Sandow needs saving... save us... ;)
Money In The Bank Ladder Match
This match had all it could have had, and then some. Perfect continuation of Ambrose wanting to mutilate Seth Rollins in many unsavory ways, in the midst of a fantastic ladder match for the coveted briefcase. Every competitor in the match looked like winning at one point, with one of the best moments IMO coming from Kofi Kingston, who seemingly had the path cleared for him, and I naively thought "He's gonny dae it, JESUS", but it wasn't meant to be. Rollins took high impact bumps like only he can, with Ambrose superplexing him from the top of the ladder, and he also took a back drop onto another ladder. Ambrose had been told to go in the back with an injured shoulder due to his superplexing antics, leaving it open for Seth to grab the initiative, but just as it looked over, Ambrose returned to a massive pop. He clears out the ring, and all of a sudden, it's his to lose, but just as he had a hand on the contract, Kane came down and ensured there was only one winner. He chokeslams Dean and allows Rollins to win the match. Have to give mentions to Ziggler, RVD and Swagger who were exceptional in the match, as could only have been excepted.
Big E vs Rusev w/Lana
So we finally had a competitive match for Rusev here, and that was awfully good indeed. Where it wasn't exactly 5 star material, it certainly showed that Rusev can more than handle himself in a proper scrap rather than a run of the mill squash job. However, Rusev maintained his unbeaten record after a game effort from Big E, in which he hit the spear through the second rope, which reduced Lana to a screaming wreck, and briefly overpowering the Accolade, before eventually being forced to tap out.
Stardust and Goldust vs Rybaxel
Nothing much to say about this match. It was a solid effort from all 4 involved, and of course - the Rhodes brothers claimed the victory. I feel the only positive coming from the Stardust gimmick is that it's allowing us to see just how versatile Cody Rhodes is as a performer, as he appears to have altered his entire moveset in order to fit into the role, and it's working in the ring. Rybaxel attacked the 'Dusts afterwards, but found themselves at the wrong end of a nice double team move. The segment ends with the Rhodes staring longingly into each other's eyes. Weird stuff. JUST BREAK UP.
Summer Rae vs Layla (Fandango special guest ref)
Big E vs Rusev w/Lana
So we finally had a competitive match for Rusev here, and that was awfully good indeed. Where it wasn't exactly 5 star material, it certainly showed that Rusev can more than handle himself in a proper scrap rather than a run of the mill squash job. However, Rusev maintained his unbeaten record after a game effort from Big E, in which he hit the spear through the second rope, which reduced Lana to a screaming wreck, and briefly overpowering the Accolade, before eventually being forced to tap out.
Stardust and Goldust vs Rybaxel
Nothing much to say about this match. It was a solid effort from all 4 involved, and of course - the Rhodes brothers claimed the victory. I feel the only positive coming from the Stardust gimmick is that it's allowing us to see just how versatile Cody Rhodes is as a performer, as he appears to have altered his entire moveset in order to fit into the role, and it's working in the ring. Rybaxel attacked the 'Dusts afterwards, but found themselves at the wrong end of a nice double team move. The segment ends with the Rhodes staring longingly into each other's eyes. Weird stuff. JUST BREAK UP.
Summer Rae vs Layla (Fandango special guest ref)
I thought this would have more wrestling in it, but it didn't really. Layla won the match with a sharp kick to the head. Summer Rae cried a lot afterwards. End of story.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match
Only two possible outcomes of this match gave me any interest, and that was Bray Wyatt or Roman Reigns winning. In hindsight, it may be that bit too early to give either man the main belts at this very moment, but both's time will come soon. Cesaro seems to be on the downgrade unfortunately, which is a shame, because he is one of the best wrestlers on the planet, but there is no character development at all, with Heyman doing ALL the taking. Give Cesaro a microphone, he can cut... in 5 different languages. Alberto was just making up numbers eh? With his contract all but up without any inclination that he's going to renew, he was never getting a sniff. Sheamus might have had a chance, and I'd have liked to have seen him have a heel champ run, but only as a transitional champ. Kane was basically Orton's bodyguard here, which is quite upsetting. Let the big man just retire gracefully. Orton himself deserves a shout out, because he took a heavy hit on the head from a ladder, and it cut him badly. Probably should have sat out the rest of the match, but he powered through like the trooper he is, being denied the titles right at the end, when John Cena AA'd Kane and then Orton himself, and climbed the ladder to claim his 15th world title. Playing it safe as always, it looks to be heading for Cena vs Lesnar for the belts at Summerslam, which isn't a total disaster, but I still want Rollins to cash in on Cena while he sleeps tonight and walk straight out with the belts, without Cena knowing a single thing. The content of this match was underwhelming, and for the most part, really slow. Reigns looked strong throughout, spearing everyone who as much as farted in his direction. There was a cracking spot, where Orton grabbed Cesaro's leg while Cesaro was on the ladder, and swung him off said ladder straight into a midair RKO. It all just seemed a bit unorganized and thrown together at the last minute, with only the inclusion of the Rose/Sandow and the Layla/Summer matches ensuring it wasn't the worst match on the card.
Overall, Money In The Bank was a huge success, and the fast paced nature of the show ensured that interest wasn't lost for even a split second. Match of the night has to go to the briefcase match for how it held the balance between the Ambrose/Rollins rivalry, and at the same time putting on a fantastic match between all involved for the contract. The championship match could have, and probably should have been better, but not much to complain about based on the quality of the show overall. Money In The Bank deserves a solid 8/10.