Experience the thrilling highlights from Money in the Bank 2023, where the Men’s and Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Matches captivated the WWE Universe. Witness the intense clash between The Usos and Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa in the Bloodline Civil War. John Cena makes an unexpected return.
The event not only delivered exceptional matches but also featured a historic outcome and an electric atmosphere. Here are my immediate takeaways from the event:
Jey Uso shocks the world by pinning Roman Reigns: In a surprising turn of events, Roman Reigns was pinned for the first time in over three years, and it was none other than his own cousin, Jey Uso, who accomplished the feat. This outcome caught me off guard, as I believed WWE would not let Reigns suffer consecutive losses. However, I am delighted to have been proven wrong. The match itself was exceptional, incorporating various storyline elements and callbacks to Reigns’ previous matches during his undefeated streak. The nod to family members, such as Jey Uso using The Rock’s signature slaps, added an extra layer of depth to the encounter. This match can easily be compared to the high-quality bouts witnessed at Forbidden Door, thanks to its top-tier storytelling.
Drew McIntyre made a triumphant return to WWE: After being absent for several months, Drew is back. He confronted Gunther after the latter successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship against Matt Riddle. It’s likely that these two formidable competitors will clash at SummerSlam.
John Cena made an unexpected appearance at WWE Money In the Bank: Following Cody Rhodes’ victory over Dominik Mysterio at Money in the Bank in London, the unmistakable sound of Cena’s entrance music, “The Time is Now,” echoed throughout the O2 Arena, igniting a frenzied reaction from the crowd as Cena made his way to the ring.
Sporting his iconic attire, this marked Cena’s first appearance in WWE since his loss to Austin Theory for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 39. “Surprise!” Cena told the crowd.
Expressing his gratitude for the chants and cheers from the fans, Cena urged the London crowd to demonstrate why their city deserves to host WrestleMania in the future. The enthusiasm in the arena escalated, with the crowd becoming even more electrifying.
Just when things seemed to be going smoothly, Grayson Waller emerged, dismissing Cena’s idea of England hosting WrestleMania as sheer insanity, proposing that it should be held in his homeland of Australia instead. A back-and-forth exchange ensued between the two before Waller resorted to a cheap shot. However, before Waller could fully comprehend what was happening, Cena swiftly lifted him up and executed his signature Attitude Adjustment.
IYO SKY triumphs over Bayley with an unconventional win: In the Money in the Bank ladder match, IYO SKY showcased her ingenuity by literally stepping over Bayley to claim victory. While ladders played a prominent role in the match, the most crucial element turned out to be a pair of handcuffs. Zoey Stark’s attempt to cuff Becky Lynch to a ring post set the stage for the handcuffs’ significance. Although Lynch managed to fend off Stark, she inadvertently left the handcuffs around her wrist. Later in the match, SKY cleverly handcuffed her Damage CTRL ally, Bayley, and Lynch together, solidifying her path to success.
Damian Priest emerges as Mr. Money in the Bank: While many, including myself, anticipated LA Knight to secure the briefcase, I have no reservations about Damian Priest’s victory and his new title of Mr. Money in the Bank. Priest’s journey has been a remarkable one, starting at The Monster Factory in Paulsboro, N.J., and culminating in this triumph at Money in the Bank in London. Priest’s dedication and transformation over the past 20 years have been evident. From initially coasting on his size and external praise, he now fully commits himself to his craft, evident in his marquee matches with Bad Bunny and now his possession of the Money in the Bank briefcase. With the potential to claim multiple world titles, Priest is primed to reach the pinnacle of the wrestling industry. However, he must first address his strained relationship with Finn Balor, who caused a distraction leading to Seth Rollins retaining the world title with a curb stomp.
