WWE Money in the Bank 2019 preview

Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso) (Kickoff Show)

The story: The “story” is because of the “Wild Card Rule,” there’s basically no brand split or rules anymore despite the SuperStar Shake-Up just happening. The Usos have been feuding with The Revival on RAW—and remember, the RAW Tag Team Champions are Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder—and Bryan & Rowan just won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship after The Hardy Boyz had to relinquish the belts due to Jeff Hardy’s knee injury. But last week, The Usos Wild Card-ed it up to challenge Bryan and Rowan, so here we are.

Prediction: This is a non-title match, which suggests it’s a reason for The Usos to win. (There’s also a chance it becomes a title match at the last second though—as everything changes at the last second now—so if it does, Bryan and Rowan win.) 

Tony Nese (c) vs. Ariya Daivari, for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship

The story: At WrestleMania 35, Tony Nese did the unthinkable and stopped the unstoppable, defeating Buddy Murphy to become the Cruiserweight Champion. Then a couple of days later on "205 Live", Nese defied all odds again and successfully defended the championship against Murphy. Meanwhile, Ariya Daivari’s upwards momentum—and a defeat against Oney Lorcan—got him this title match against Nese.

Prediction: Ariya Daivari might think he’s deserving of the title, but Tony Nese has proven that he’s not going to go down without a fight. In fact, he’s probably not going down on Sunday.

Roman Reigns vs. Elias

The story: In the Superstar Shake-Up, both Roman Reigns and Elias got traded to the blue brand, with Elias quickly getting on the McMahons’ good side while Reigns’ proclamation that it was his yard now (and decision to sucker punch old man McMahon) got him on their naughty list. (With the Wild Card Rule though, they both keep showing up on RAW, by the way.) As Shane McMahon is still busy with The Miz, Elias has to defend the McMahon family “honor.”

Prediction: Roman wins, but this feud will keep going. And they’ll probably still mostly appear on RAW. 

Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn vs. Ricochet vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Baron Corbin vs. Ali vs. Andrade vs. Randy Orton, in a Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match

The story: It’s Money in the Bank, but the story between Lashley/Balor/McIntyre/Corbin is the same one it’s been for months… and months… and months. Ali’s story is that he keeps running into Orton’s RKOs. Sami Zayn’s story is that criticism from fans is bad, not the actual shows WWE is putting on.

Prediction: No one in the Lashley/Balor/McIntyre/Corbin conglomerate (sorry, Balor, but you can’t seem to get away from them) actually needs the Money in the Bank contract to get a major title match or potential reign. Neither does past Money in the Bank contract holder Randy Orton. But Sami Zayn and his current attitude seem honestly perfect for winning this. 

Nikki Cross vs. Dana Brooke vs. Natalya vs. Naomi vs. Bayley vs. Mandy Rose vs. Ember Moon vs. Carmella, in a Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match

The story: The biggest story is that Alexa Bliss was supposed to be in this match, but due to injury, Nikki Cross is replacing her. (And Nikki Cross has had somewhat of a… personality change.) Dana Brooke has also been putting in the work, even looking like a potential Money in the Bank winner in all seriousness.

Prediction: Dana Brooke might be worth rooting for, but she’s probably not going to win this match. Nikki Cross with the contract would be interesting, but same. Carmella is a former Ms. Money in the Bank, so she probably won’t win again. Bayley, Ember Moon, or Mandy Rose (with a little help from her best friend Sonya Deville) seem like the best bets. 

Samoa Joe (c) vs. Rey Mysterio, for the United States Championship

The story: Since WrestleMania 35, Samoa Joe has continued to keep punking Rey Mysterio out.

Prediction: Samoa Joe will continue to keep punking Rey Mysterio out. And Rey’s son Dominick will probably get punked out too in the process. 

The Miz vs. Shane McMahon, in a Steel Cage match

The story: Shane McMahon is a lot of expletives, and unfortunately, he was able to get lucky and defeat The Miz at WrestleMania. He also beat up Miz’s dad out there.

Prediction: The Miz is going to get his revenge against Shane McMahon if it’s the last thing he does. 

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lacey Evans, for the RAW Women’s Championship

The story: Post-WrestleMania, “The Man” became “Becky Two Belts.” And as Becky Two Belts, she has to defend both of her belts on the show, separately. For RAW, it’s against Lacey Evans, who intimated that she slept her way to a title shot the first time she cut a promo against Becky, but I guess we’re all supposed to forget that happen. “The Lady” is trying to teach “The Man” how to be a lady, which apparently requires sucker punches and cheap shots.

Prediction: Haha—please. This one isn’t the Becky Lynch title match conclusion that’s up for debate. 

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair, for the SmackDown Women’s Championship

The story: Based on every Becky Lynch promo and every other Becky Lynch tweet, she wishes she could be defending this title against literally anyone else on the SmackDown roster. But based on Charlotte Flair, this feud will never die.

Prediction: Seriously, if Charlotte wins the title back, does anything even matter. In fact, it might be better for Lacey Evans to win the RAW title, just to tip the scales for Charlotte not to win this one.  

Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Kevin Owens, for the WWE Championship

The story: After infiltrating his way into The New Day during Big E’s absence (due to injury) as “Big O,” Kevin Owens did what he does best and betrayed them. (It was in his second week as “Big O,” so he didn’t really give us all enough time to trust him, but he did kind of go all out in pretending. Kevin Owens believes this title should be his, and you know what? That’s always enough motivation for Kevin Owens.

Prediction: Sorry, Kevin, but Kofi’s never losing the WWE Championship. Those are the rules now. Unless Sami Zayn wins Money in the Bank… then Kevin is winning and Sami is cashing in on his “best friend.” 

Seth Rollins (c) vs. AJ Styles, for the WWE Universal Championship

The story: Seth Rollins slayed “The Beast” at WrestleMania 35, and post-Superstar Shake-Up, AJ Styles won a #1 Contendership tournament on RAW to face Rollins for the Universal Championship at Money in the Bank. This is a first-time ever, dream match in WWE, with the two only facing off one-on-one a long time ago on the independent scene when Rollins was still very early in his career. Now he’s the man (but not “The Man”) on Monday Night RAW.

Prediction: AJ Styles loves having gold around his waist, but after Seth Rollins finally ended our long national nightmare (by winning the title from Lesnar), he needs to keep this title for a long, long time.