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Shore's WWE Money in the Bank preview and predictions: Two Money in the Bank ladder matches, C.M. Punk vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship with A.J. as special referee, Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Hvt. Championship

Posted in: Shore Editorials, MUST-READ LISTING
By
Jul 15, 2012 - 05:33 PM

The following predictions are made with no knowledge of the planned finish. In other words, I'm guessing based on what I see on WWE Raw and Smackdown.

C.M. Punk vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship with A.J. as special referee: First, let me start off by saying that if this does not go on in the main event slot I may have an actual stroke. This story has been the best thing on any wrestling television for weeks, and they have devoted much time to it on both Raw and Smackdown. Not to mention that it is for the "most prestigious" title in the wrestling world. Not putting this in the main event slot would be criminal.

Who will AJ end up with? I think the more compelling question is, "Will either man benefit from having her around?" CM Punk, while playing his part perfectly, gains nothing if she ends up with him. He has done everything he can, now he just has to beat some big names to really put him on the same level as John Cena. The problem is, Daniel Bryan really gains nothing from having AJ side with him either. I don't think he's going to get any more heat just because she's his Harley Quinn--that is a Batman reference for those of you who are confused. It also appears that AJ would lose most of her hard earned heat either way she goes as well.

The solution is for AJ to pick a third party not involved in the match, perhaps even the winner of Money in the Bank. Whoever it ends up being has a built in feud with Punk if the plan is to get Punk away from the title for a few months. Or you could use it to spin Bryan into a feud as a way to also get Punk away from the title by having AJ side with Bryan's first challenger. However this plays out, I think Cena is headed back to the title scene and that WWE thinks it is too soon to go back to Cena vs. Punk, so Daniel Bryan has to be the intermediary between them.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan wins the WWE Championship and possibly AJ (but probably not).

John Cena vs. Big Show vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane in the Raw Money in the Bank match: There are so many problems with this match, and just about as many variables, that it is hard to predict what will happen in this match, but the finish is in little doubt. We don't know how risky these four will push it, nor do we even know if it will remain four. Rey Mysterio and the Miz are two names that jump to mind that are just sitting out there. So what happens tonight leading into, and during, the match is what makes this a mystery.

When it comes to a winner, I have little doubt in what they are doing. Big Show has an outside chance, but I wouldn't bet on him. John Cena is the chalk pick, but it is chalk for a reason. Does anyone expect John F. Cena from losing when they hyped his announcement of entering the match as "historic?" Why would you pick against that? Let the odds be overcome again.

Prediction: John Cena wins the Raw Money in the Bank briefcase.

Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Hvt. Championship: I can't go into a long winded preview on this match because there is little to preview, and the winner is more obvious than Cena is. Alberto Del Rio has zero chance of winning this title tonight. The guy was great when he first debuted, but his treatment since winning the Royal Rumble last year has been dreadful. WWE sees money in Sheamus, a point I do not disagree with, and there is no reason to believe they would risk damaging him with a loss here.

Prediction: Sheamus retains the World Heavyweight Championship.

Dolph Zigger vs. Christian vs. Tensai vs. Santino Marella vs. Damien Sandow vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Sin Cara in the Smackdown Money in the Bank match: This is the match I am most looking forward to, and the one I fear the most. I fell both things for the same reason, there are a lot of young guys in this match who may want to make their mark on those watching. That is a potentially dangerous situation if someone decides to go into business for themselves. I also think this is an easy pick with Dolph Ziggler winning the briefcase. I can listen to Cody Rhodes, but I don't think they seem him at that level just yet. No one else makes sense...which means it will probably be Santino.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler wins the Smackdown Money in the Bank match.

WWE Tag Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. Hunico and Camacho in the pre-show match: Who wins this match is less important than how bad Kofi and Truth get beat up because I fully expect the Prime Time Playas to demand their title shot, probably after interfering in this match. If I'm right about that, then I will take A.W. to help his guys to their first titles.

Predictions: R-Truth and Kofi Kingston win the pre-show match, but lose the WWE Tag Team Champonships later in the show.

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