It’s summer and it’s not SummerSlam yet, so it’s time for a wrestlers to fight each other to be the first to climb to the top of a ladder and acquire the briefcase containing a world title shot. The build to this year’s Money In The Bank was shakey to say the least, though maybe not as weak as Baron Corbin looked when he tried to cash in the briefcase last year. The winner of the Smackdown Live-branded PPV match failed to defeat then-WWE Champion Jinder Mahal for concerning rumored reasons, ending the 2017 Mr. Money In The Bank angle in a memorable if not particularly satisfying way.
This year’s Money In The Bank PPV was co-branded, so we had competitors from both Raw and Smackdown facing off for the briefcase. This year’s MITB wrestlers were Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, The Miz, Rusev, Bobby Roode, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and a member of the New Day we didn’t know until the team made their entrance.
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1008543310783401984
The New Day teased it would be Xavier Woods before Woods whipped off his shirt to reveal the word “Kofi” painted on his chest, and Kofi Kingston entered the match.
The absolute WORST scenario of @BraunStrowman telling you to #GetTheseHands:#MITB @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/weHxEXTZaB
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
The match included most of the superstars teaming up against Braun Strowman. Strowman retaliated by throwing ringleader Kevin Owens (who else?) off the top of a ladder and through a table.
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1008546730743300096
The Monster Among Men also straight up bulldozed through a ladder, terrifying the Miz.
From OUTSIDE to INSIDE, @FinnBalor FLIES for a massive #CoupDeGrace to @REALBobbyRoode! #MITB pic.twitter.com/hVuVPCGa3u
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
The men’s Money In The Bank match was full of crazy and brutal-looking spots, and every wrestler had a moment where it looked like a potential winner.
MONSTER IN THE BANK.
@BraunStrowman has his sights SET on the #UniversalChampionship! #MITB pic.twitter.com/1Lie2pzW2B
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Ultimately it came down to Finn Balor and Braun Strowman climbing either side of the ladder for the briefcase., with KofiKingston climbing on Strowman’s back to try and reach the briefcase before him. After knocking Balor down, Strowman detached him and threw him to the ground, and detached the briefcase to become, as Michael Cole put it, “Mr. Monster In The Bank… the largest ever Money In The Bank Winner.” Brock Lesnar, you should take some pointers from Braun in the finish of this match and watch your back.
