WWE.com and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly shares his predictions for WWE Money in the Bank at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, streaming live on Saturday at 6 p.m. on the ESPN App in the United States with an ESPN Unlimited plan and internationally on Netflix.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs. LA Knight
You can argue this World Heavyweight Championship Match means much more to LA Knight than to Roman Reigns. On paper, Knight looks set up for failure here. All signs point to Reigns and Oba Femi at WrestleMania 43 for the World Heavyweight Championship, so the odds are definitely against Knight. But all hope is not lost. Knight and Solo Sikoa have built a bond over the past few months for a reason. With Survivor Series on the horizon and Solo reemerging after The 946 kidnapped him, The Bloodline could use a fifth member. But that is a classic wrestling trope... that might just come into play. Reigns can’t, and shouldn’t, win this one cleanly, but he will still win.
Prediction: Roman Reigns def. LA Knight
Women’s World Championship Triple Threat Match
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch
Flip a coin. That is how this Women’s World Championship Match is being presented: Three of the company’s top Superstars competing in the ring. Any one of the three could easily walk out of the Smoothie King Center with the title, and nobody would think twice. Now, Vaquer has to be the favorite to retain, considering her first title run ended so abruptly and she won it back against Liv Morgan during a Live Event in her hometown of Santiago, Chile. But that’s not a guarantee. Morgan and Lynch are multiple-time Women's Champions for a reason. What you can be sure of is that this match will be one of the best of the night, since all three aren’t afraid to beat the hell out of each other. That leads us to something totally different. Can we see an immediate cashing in of the Money in the Bank contract? I’m not predicting that, but I am not ruling it out, either.
Prediction: Liv Morgan def. Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch
Oba Femi vs. Bronson Reed
I can’t help but think Paul Heyman will interject himself into this match in some form or fashion. But in what way? After Heyman lost his mind on Raw, telling Reed what Oba Femi is and can be, The Oracle/Wiseman/Advocate pretty much told Bronson Reed to his face that he has no chance against Oba. Translation: Never trust Heyman. Reed’s return from a serious arm injury just in time to lose to Oba Femi seems unrealistic, almost unrealistic for the Ruler to lose to anyone. I see this match as setting up a long run to WrestleMania 43 for Oba Femi, and getting hit with his first loss (other than to Brock Lesnar) of his main roster career seems like a stretch. Heyman will be the deciding factor, as he should.
Prediction: Bronson Reed def. Oba Femi
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens vs. Trick Williams vs. Penta vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Bron Breakker
The Money in the Bank Ladder Match doesn’t usually have this kind of established star power. Let’s look at this analytically. Punk has done this twice, and it led to him cashing in both times. That’s too obvious for me. Trick Williams already holds the United States Championship. Penta is coming off a high against Roman Reigns in Mexico. Je’Von Evans is a future multiple-time champion, but just not right now. That leaves either Kevin Owens or Bron Breakker to come away with the contract and likely attempt a cash-in against Sami Zayn. Zayn and KO have history, but not recently, and there’s no indication of them renewing hostilities. That leaves Breakker. Breakker was on the fast track to stardom but has been derailed a couple of times. Breakker holding onto the contract until a favorable matchup comes down the pike seems logical, but logic sometimes doesn’t make sense.
Prediction: Bron Breakker wins the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Jacy Jayne vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice
The obvious answer to who will take home the Women’s Money in the Bank contract on Saturday is Roxanne Perez. Everything sets her up to win and become a legitimate championship contender. The storyline suggests that. Her recent television appearances suggest that. Her future target could be that. I don’t buy it. Five of the six entrants in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match are relatively new to the main roster. Vice, Ruca, Perez, Legend, and Jayne arrived within the last year and a half. There is one outlier – Tiffany Stratton. She’s been there and done that in this kind of match and has already been World Champion. If she wins, Tiffy also has a built-in target in Chelsea Green. It all makes sense... (but watch out for a Naomi return).
Prediction: Tiffany Stratton wins the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
