WWE Money in the Bank 2013 – One Shot Reactions
Ryan Kester (Twitter - @InnominatusTTV):
Letter Grade: B
- Sandow was a solid choice to win the Smackdown MitB, and I like how this sets up a potential turn for the stale Cody Rhodes.
- It's a good thing that AJ cost Ziggler the championship in the fashion that she did because Ziggler's character needs to be the one that ends their relationship.
- It's understandable to have Cena walk away form his match with a win, but I have to question the decision to have Henry, who did an amazing job gathering heat recently, lose via submission.
- WWE, please do not derail Daniel Bryan's momentum by using that momentum for another act.
- Orton winning the Raw MitB works for me if they end up using it as an impetus for his much needed heel turn; his character simply works better and means more as a heel.
Jeff Lutz (Twitter - @JeffreyDLutz):
Letter Grade: A-
- I liked almost everything about this show, so let me get my one complaint out of the way: If Daniel Bryan feuds with Curtis Axel, that would be a major disappointment and a huge step down from the WWE Championship run many fans expected.
- Dolph Ziggler, the subject of my upcoming Monday blog, gave me a lot of material with an outstanding performance fueled by a hot Philadelphia crowd that was completely behind him. After a stutter step over the last month, Ziggler appears on his way to making a fine babyface.
- My pick to win MITB against all odds, Cody Rhodes, just missed fulfilling my prediction but was certainly elevated in the event's opening match. A potential feud between Rhodes and the actual MITB winner, Damien Sandow, can give Rhodes the credibility he needs while grooming Sandow for a potential run with the World Heavyweight Championship.
- Even though he didn't accomplish his character's mission of capturing WWE gold, Mark Henry walked the walk after an amazing run of promos leading up to his match with John Cena. Henry turned in possibly the best match of his long career, booked perfectly as a monster until tapping out at the end.
- The best PPVs reward viewers for their purchases by leaving plenty of room for follow-up the next night on Raw, and this show definitely did that. I can't wait to hear Paul Heyman's promo on C.M. Punk, and I'm looking forward to Randy Orton's reaction to his win, which could include a long-awaited heel turn as he awaits his turn with Cena.
Jake Barnett (Twitter - @barnettjake):
Letter Grade: B-
- RVD reintroduced himself to the WWE Universe in a big way, hitting all of his signature spots. Sheamus and Orton got stiff reminders of what he's all about, but overall a satisfying return for his fans. His recklessness likely didn't do him any favors backstage, however.
- Mark Henry looked great in his effort against John Cena. It will be interesting to see where they go with him from here, as he tapped out clean for Cena and retirement rumors have been swirling.
- Dolph and ADR had a great match with a an absolute popcorn fart of a finish. I hope it leads to Dolph making waves tomorrow night in a promo to cut AJ loose.
- Ryback vs. Jericho was another solid match that ended on such a low note that you wonder what they have planned for him on TV. He's going to be heading out in the next two weeks for the Fozzy Summer Tour and that would be a bummer of a way to finish his latest run.
- Damien Sandow winning the World Heavyweight Championship contract, and the story told between he and Cody Rhodes in the last half of that match was the highlight of the night for me. Very cool stuff from a match that wasn't built well at all.
Darren Gutteridge (Twitter - @Dazatheg):
Letter Grade: C-
- Great opening MITB match with lots of innovation and an intriguing story being born between Sandow and Rhodes, something both men need.
- The under card was serviceable, with lots of good action let down by flat finishes, especially Ryback / Jericho. At least the WHC DQ finish built to something.
- I enjoyed the WWE title match, despite it's glaringly obvious finish. A little subtlety in his matches would help Cena a lot.
- A really bland All Star MITB match, as it felt like WWE took the least interesting route out of the match, with only Heyman's turn on Punk peaking my interest.
- Overall, I think the show peaked in the first match, and the usually newsworthy PPV ended up feeling rather inconsequential. My recent optimism for the summer has decreased considerably, and will decrease even more if yet another Cena vs. Orton feud comes to fruition.
Zack Zimmerman (Twitter - @InVasionZim):
Letter Grade B-
- After hearing for weeks about how an all-heel ladder match wouldn't work, it's fair to say that lots of people were wrong. They stole the show.
- Sandow really impressed in his back-burner program with Sheamus and has a lot of fun potential with faux cash-ins and talking about the fortune of having the briefcase.
- John Cena overcame the impossible? You don't say!?
- I'm okay with WWE not wasting the Wyatt Family's second appearance in a ladder match run-in as long as they do something hot and memorable on Raw.
- If I can fantasy book for a second, I would've liked to see Bryan win the briefcase after his big frenzy and call out Cena with enough time left in the show.
Will Pruett (Twitter - @itswilltime):
Letter Grade: B-
- Money in the Bank is always a fun show to watch and consider the possibilities of. I’m sure we all thought of 1,000 different ways this show could end, with Randy Orton’s win being one of them. Like it or not, Orton is a major star and could do a lot of good (or a good portion of super fun evil) with the briefcase.
- While I love Daniel Bryan as much as the next guy, his main event loss won’t hurt him. Hopefully his upcoming confrontation with Curtis Axel won’t either. I’m not sure Axel belongs in this slot.
- John Cena overcame the evil monster known as Mark Henry as he has overcome Snitsky, Great Khali, and Big Show. I didn’t love this, but I understand it.
- The beginning of the Dolph Ziggler and A.J. Lee breakup seriously lacked subtlety (and completely required A.J. to forget the rules of wrestling matches). This story would be better served with a gentler touch.
- Damien Sandow surprised me by winning the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank match, but anyone winning this match would have surprised me. It was a very good effort from seven stars needing placement in feuds as soon as possible.