Barnett's WWE Money in the Bank 2013 Preview in Predictions: Who walks away with the guaranteed championship contracts? How may title changes take place on this show? Can Mark Henry achieve his final career goal?

By Jake Barnett

John Cena vs. Mark Henry for the WWE Championship: This one has surprised me with how much it’s been able to hold my interest. John Cena’s inability to resist being a clown during his promos notwithstanding, I’ve really enjoyed what Mark Henry has been able to do with his character since beginning this feud in earnest. The retirement fake out and the subsequent promos from Henry have been excellent, and even his media interviews leading up to the PPV have conveyed a seriousness and desperation to win that Henry has delivered with a level of sincerity that is rare for WWE heels. I’m going to pick Mark Henry to win this against my own better judgment, just because it’s fun to wish think sometimes.

Prediction: Mark Henry defeats John Cena with some interference from the All Stars MITB winner.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler for the World Heavyweight Championship: We know that both of these guys can work their asses off, so it’s hard to expect any less than both of them trying to go out and steal the show. Alberto Del Rio is clearly more comfortable as a heel, but Ziggler has yet to really get a solid booking direction since they pulled off a very difficult double turn last month. It’s clear that crowds want to get behind him, but his continued relationship with the likes of AJ Lee and Big E Langston are the last hitch until he can really break free and embrace his new character. I don’t expect Dolph to pick up the title tonight, but I do expect AJ to cost him the match, and for Dolph to finally cut the ties that are holding him back.

Prediction: Alberto Del Rio defeats Dolph Zigger and retains his Championship after AJ Lee costs Dolph the match.

Chris Jericho vs. Ryback: This feud hasn’t really lit my fire, I must admit. Jericho appears to be on his way back to touring with Fozzy for a couple of months starting in the beginning of August, and Ryback’s new character has been anything but interesting. I’m going to grasp at some straws and say that they cement Ryback’s character as a cowardly manipulator, and he uses the ref in some way to get a victory here.

Prediction: Ryback defeats Chris Jericho by hook or by crook.

A.J. Lee vs. Kaitlyn for the Divas Championship: This match was fun at the last PPV, and I don’t see any reason why they can’t build on that here. I hope they get enough time, as they got a surprising amount at Payback and it really made for a much better story in the ring. AJ has really shown herself to be the star of the division, and Kaitlyn could be an excellent foil for her if she is allowed to be. I think it’s way too early for Kaitlyn to get her revenge, so I think we see AJ pick up the win by submission after some mind games and a very fun match.

Prediction: AJ defeats Kaitlyn and retains her Championship.

Curtis Axel vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship: Curtis Axel showed a little something on Friday after a second loss to Chris Jericho. In fact, it may have been the first time he’s expressed any personality aside from what Paul Heyman has projected onto him. I hope they stick with that here and allow him to show more of a mean streak and show us that he can be an effective heel in his own right. I hope they have bigger plans for him, so I’m picking him to win here, as The Miz’s character has failed to be engaging and he needs a spark of frustration or something to push him in a new direction.

Prediction: Curtis Axel defeats the Miz and retains his Championship.

Raw All Stars Money in the Bank Match for the WWE Championship Contract (CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Christian, Rob Van Dam, and a possible Kane replacement): This match has had a very good build, punctuated by the fantastic singles matches we’ve seen on TV and the very well done Rob Van Dam hype videos. Daniel Bryan is the hottest thing on WWE TV right now, but it would be hard to argue with someone who said that Randy Orton is nipping at his heels. Both men seems to be the odds on favorites to win this match, but I’m honestly more intrigued by what kind of impact the return of another “Paul Heyman Guy” in Rob Van Dam means to this match and overall WWE storylines. Will another Heyman plan be revealed? What matches for Summerslam will develop out of this match? It holds a lot interesting scenarios that will be interesting to see play out. As for the winner, I think WWE needs to strike while the iron is hot and stroke the fire on Daniel Bryan.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan wins Money in the Bank and the WWE Championship contract.

Rising Stars Money in the Bank match for the World Heavyweight Championship Contract (Antonio Cesaro, Jack Swagger, Dean Ambrose, Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett and Fandango): This match has the opportunity to be great if all the pieces fall into place, but I couldn’t have cared less about the build for this match. I think what was done on Friday’s Smackdown may have siphoned off some of the interest I had with how little sense it made. I like the idea that one of these characters is going to get a renewed push coming out of this match, but they sure didn’t do them any favors heading into it. I don’t have a strong feeling about anybody, but I’ll hazard a guess and say that Dean Ambrose gets a briefcase.

Prediction: Dean Ambrose grabs wins Money in the Bank and the World Heavyweight Championship contract.

Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins vs. The Uso Brothers for the WWE Tag Team Championship This match is another example of how WWE only pays attention to the Tag Titles when regular rotation main eventers are holding them. The Shield was as hot as any act in recent memory, but have cooled off considerably since taking hold of the US and Tag Titles. The Usos had to be quickly positioned as credible challengers after being non factors for the longest time, and I don’t think it has done either team any favors in the way it was built. I think The Shield retains here, and I hope they get positioned against the Wyatt Family heading into SummerSlam to make for a more interesting tag feud.

Prediction: The Shield defeats The Usos and retain their Tag Team Championships.

Do you have questions, comments or concerns? Contact me directly at barnett.jake@gmail.com or in twitter @barnettjake.