Money In The Bank 2020 Predictions

In this edition of The Wrestling Estate roundtable, we give our predictions for Money in the Bank 2020.

Have you been watching WWE programming since WrestleMania 36?

David Gibb: No.

Juan Bautista: I’ve been hearing reviews and seeing short clips. I normally try to catch a little WWE programming, but the empty arena shows aren’t entertaining.

Neal Wagner: I haven’t been watching. I’ve been keeping track and am aware of what’s been happening, but WWE isn’t doing anything to impress me or make me want to watch.

John Corrigan: Nope. I haven’t been watching AEW, either. Can’t get into the empty arena format.

Jack Goodwillie: Not really. I’ve been following up with the clips that surface online hours after the show, but I just haven’t felt much of an urge to spend my free time that way. Part of me feels like the empty arena weekly episodic television shows have run course.

How do you feel about Money in the Bank taking place on top of WWE’s headquarters?

Gibb: It’s a better idea than doing Money in the Bank in the same empty Performance Center studio they used for WrestleMania. I don’t think it’s going to make the match any better or anything, though.

Bautista: At least they are acknowledging the corporate ladder that exists. It has the potential of being a very creative match and there are two ways that a heel can make this the greatest match or a pile of shit. While everybody is struggling to get up all those stairs, someone can be lowered via helicopter and retrieve the briefcase. The other option that I hope they don’t do is someone hides on the roof and as soon as the match starts, they get the briefcase immediately.

Wagner: It’s different, but the idea of doing it movie-style now doesn’t do anything for me. With the Boneyard match, Firefly Fun House match and Ciampa and Gargano in such a short span of time, WWE will just keep recycling the cinematic format over and over again, eventually ruining it.

Corrigan: I loved the old Raw intro of fighting on the roof, so this should be fun, too.

Goodwillie: I remember when this broke on what I believe was the Friday night of the NFL Draft. I’d had a significant amount of vodka, and when I read the tagline of “climb the corporate ladder,” I laughed aloud. But this is an idea so crazy, it just might work. I may not have tuned into Raw in recent weeks, but I would be a fool not to check out WWE Die Hard.

Who will replace Apollo Crews in the Money in the Bank?

Gibb: Helios Squads.

Bautista: Their recent track record of surprises had mixed reactions. If the rumors are believed to be true from earlier in the year, Alberto Del Rio could appear. Jinder Mahal is a strong candidate since he just returned or WWE will alienate us once again by giving that spot to Brock Lesnar.

Wagner: Found out this answer Monday night. I’m fine with the switch, but Apollo is wasted by WWE. Styles doesn’t need to be in the match. He’ll make it enjoyable, but it’s a waste of AJ, too. MITB should be a launching point for someone who usually isn’t in the title picture like Edge in 2005.

Corrigan: Shane O’Mac.

Goodwillie: We now know it’s AJ Styles, and while it’s a good choice (because when is AJ not a good choice from a booking standpoint?), it is typical WWE to bring out a character who had just been buried alive by The Undertaker less than a month ago to return in a random match against Humberto Carillo without any acknowledgement or build. Moreover, he seems to be the exact same guy he was prior to The Undertaker match, minus Gallows and Anderson. It’s episodic television for mental midgets and might be WWE’s biggest problem at the moment.

Who wins: Asuka vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Nia Jax vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacy Evans vs. Carmella?

Gibb: As I said back at the Elimination Chamber, it seems like it has to be Asuka or Shayna Baszler. This time, I’ll pick Asuka.

Bautista: This is either coronavirus taking its toll or WWE trying to squeeze everything possible out of Becky Lynch. I can see them giving it to Dana, but the issue with that story is that you can’t wait til December.

Wagner: Shayna Baszler. Feud with Becky continues and Shayna finds the opportunity to sooner than later take the title from the Lass Kicker.

Corrigan: Nia Jax because Vinnie Mac is hellbent on making her Vader 2.0.

Goodwillie: We’re going to play a little game I like to call “process of elimination” to determine the winner of this match. Carmella, Lacy Evans and Dana Brooke are not winning this match. There, that was easy! Granted, I can appreciate all the work Dana has put in over the last year and a half to improve and become a serviceable talent, but it’s just not happening here. That leaves Asuka, Shayna and Nia Jax. Asuka has had multiple shots against Becky, with the most recent being earlier this year. Shayna can be rebuilt and MITB would be a great way to do it, but the stink of that WrestleMania match looms large. Which is why I have to go with Nia Jax, particularly when you consider she won’t actually have to physically climb a ladder this year and can just take the elevator to the top of Titan Tower.

In all seriousness, I’ve had about enough of the Nia Jax Show going back at least two years now, but it’s a fact that because she is recently returned, she is the freshest of everybody in this match and there could be something to a program with her and Becky, especially considering WWE never really paid off that terrific angle a year and a half ago when Becky legitimately got her orbital broken by female Jibble.

Who wins: Daniel Bryan vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Aleister Black vs. King Corbin vs. Otis vs. AJ Styles?

Gibb: Seems like it has to be Daniel Bryan or Helios Squads.

Bautista: I’m putting my money on AJ Styles. Otis is probably going to get attacked by Dolph Ziggler. Daniel, Rey and Aleister are there for the ladders. Corbin will have his plans foiled.

Wagner: Struggled a little with this. I wanted to say Aleister Black before AJ was added. Now Vince will look to keep Mr. Styles happy with another run since he just fired his friends.

Corrigan: After a tremendous outing with Undertaker at WrestleMania, AJ Styles will be rewarded and “reheated” with the magical briefcase.

Goodwillie: No need for process of elimination this time, as there are several guys who have a case to win the men’s MITB after Rey Mysterio. AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan are always going to be a convincing threat, but their versatility as characters probably means they’re better suited elsewhere on the card. The goal of Money in the Bank, after all, is to make new stars, and while cold, DB and AJ are bonafide wrestling superstars. This leaves Aleister Black, King Corbin and Otis. Black carrying a briefcase around sort of messes with his mystique, and WWE definitely loves Corbin enough to give him the briefcase again, plus the briefcase is usually better suited for heels. However, I’m going to make an exception here and vouch for Otis to get the W on Sunday. It is not an accident his program with Dolph Ziggler and Mandy Rose is the best in the company right now, and while he won’t be mistaken for an in-ring technician, he has potential unlike anybody in WWE at the moment. He is the best parts of Chris Farley mixed with 80’s era Rock ‘N Wrestling, and if WWE wanted to go with him and really strap the rocket to his back, Otis could reach heights not seen since the likes of John Cena. It’s similar to the thought I get every time me and Neal’s Redskins take the field on Sundays. “What have they got to lose?”

The reason why I feel so strongly about the idea that Otis can be a top guy is this: He passes the non-wrestling fan test. What is that? Take three of the most endearing clips of him (maybe say… one of him getting ready for his date with Mandy, one of him and Tucker making a protein shake with The New Day and one of him hitting the Caterpillar) and show it to your friend who doesn’t watch wrestling or has a negative perception of it. If they pop for it, boom, you’ve got your next top guy.