PWP Nation’s Zak Fellows takes a long look at a fan-favorite match, Money In The Bank.
Long-time readers of PWP content will know that I have, in the past, ripped on the Money in the Bank for it being an illusion of its ability to make stars and that its resolution is relied upon so heavily that basic understanding of strong and smart booking goes out the window.
Yes, there have been examples of the idea proving to be the pulling of the trigger for some stars such as Edge, The Miz and Seth Rollins but, unfortunately, they seem to be in the minority compared to the overwhelming majority that is the missed hits that have become the befallen of the briefcase.
This opinion has not changed and has, in fact, worsened after seeing the attempt with Sheamus. While I am among the general mind-set that Sheamus obtaining the Money in the Bank was out of reaction to outside factors, mainly Daniel Bryan’s injuries, his run with the briefcase and after winning the title really served as proof that a lot of things I said about the whole idea were true: Frequent losses, nothing done to build him towards the title and his title reign being a time sink for another, bigger plan in the WWE grand design have led Sheamus to become another forgotten holder of the Money in the Bank.
While I am perfectly happy to be rid of the Money in the Bank for good at this point so we can do away with the backwards mentality that seems to arise from booking teams I fully realize that people are too in to the concept at this which is why I say this:
“Money in the Bank needs to change.”
But, before we can really go into what I think can be done to change the concept for the better, I feel it best that I stress my main problem with it so people can fully understand and familiarize themselves in order to facilitate a change. Since its introduction in 2005 and its inaugural winner Edge setting the standard and mood of the idea, fans were initially compelled to see it. Anytime, anyplace led to a genuine feeling of anticipation, that has since turned Artificial in my opinion, where any segment or match involving the world champion could be THE time for the cash in.
Regrettably, WWE has been taking on a certain mentality with the Money in the Bank as it goes with most wrestling companies and ideas firmly entrenched in the audience’s mind. As the concept festered, the cash in’s became so well received that it appeared as if it was the only thing fans really cared about because of shock value. Thus, began the losing streaks, making the holders look like they weren’t about to become the WORLD CHAMPION (an issue that arguably became more noticeable after the brand split and two world title’s paved the way for two briefcases).
No matter the means to win a title, a wrestler has to look good before, during and after otherwise it makes a promotion look rather sloppy in the fans eyes. In a way, it kind of makes the Money in the Bank look like the cheap and easy way for a wrestler to win a title without a booker and promoter doing much in the way of work because fan’s, speaking generally, buy into the concept too much.
To me, and this is mostly due to baggage that comes from being a fan who has exposed himself to certain products but, the Money in the Bank is old booking mentalities manifested into a single object: The Crash TV 24/7 anything goes style over substance do anything for the sake of a reaction mentality that may have worked during the Monday Night Wars because wrestling was such a hot property but these days? Honestly no.
So…what is that controversy change I was thinking of? Treat Money in the Bank as a means to win a championship and not the means for someone to BECOME a champion. The difference is all in how a fan view’s a wrestler before, during and after a title reign. Let’s say, for the sake of example, Kevin Owens was to win Money in the Bank this year and he would hold the briefcase for 5 months and cash in at TLC.
Those next five months are crucial for, as much as fans like Owens, he still needs to look good and like a winner. So, have him in matches and feuds that people care about and win a majority of them so that when he does cash in and win the title, he looks like a champion as opposed to a promoted perennial loser.
That would be my subtle change but for a drastic change? Ditch the whole anytime, anyplace concept and make Money in the Bank a number 1 contenders match for the title at SummerSlam. You lose the surprise factor but in exchange you get two months of almost guaranteed strong booking for the challenger, he gets exposure via a main event of the company’s second biggest show and WWE starts building towards a big pay day.
While I fully admit this would make Money in the Bank as replaceable as King of the Ring it still reaches a resolution that a promoter would want to reach.
I’m sure my drastic change to the Money in the Bank has no doubt upset the more die-hard of fans who can’t tolerate it when somebody dare offer an alternative to something they like but I don’t do so lightly. Don’t go away thinking that I hate the Money in the Bank because I do enjoy the match for being one of those mindless matches where your just seeing cannon fodder flying around for 20 minutes.
But the concept itself, has been so hit or miss, mostly misses, for me that its inherent problems have made it almost difficult for me to muster up the excitement to see whoever this year’s attempt go through the typical motions like Money in the Bank booking bingo, especially if we end up getting another world title.
[Zak Fellows played bingo once and they are still looking for him.]
Brand split… next time, I guess.
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