WWE Money in the Bank 2017: Carmella Should Win the Briefcase
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When searching for the winner of the first ever Women’s WWE Money in the Bank Ladder Match, look no further than Carmella.
A number of factors need to be considered when determining who walks away with the first Women’s WWE Money in the Bank briefcase, but The Princess of Staten Island ticks all of the boxes.
The winner of the Money in the Bank match shouldn’t be someone regularly in the title picture unless the cash-in comes shortly after earning the briefcase. It would feel illogical for the winner to become No. 1 contender and potentially even win the SmackDown Women’s Championship while still possessing the briefcase.
Keeping Charlotte and Becky Lynch away from the title picture would be a difficult task. After all, these two have five Women’s title reigns between them, and the division is thin enough as it is. If either wins, it would make the most sense for a cash-in to take place within just a few weeks of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
While that can’t be ruled out, it would almost feel a wasted opportunity. The first women to hold a Money in the Bank contract should keep it for a long time, while staying away from the championship picture. Carmella can do just that.
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The very premise of the Money in the Bank format is better suited to a heel rather than a babyface. It’s hardly a heroic act to run to the ring while the champion is injured, cash in and essentially steal the title. Some of the most memorable cash-ins in WWE history have been made by heels, including Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 31 and Edge against John Cena in 2006.
CM Punk used the second Money in the Bank contract of his career to catapult himself into a top heel spot in 2009. He was a babyface at the time of cashing in on Jeff Hardy, who had just overcome Edge in a brutal Ladder Match to capture the World Heavyweight Championship.
Just as fans were gearing up to celebrate with Hardy, arguably the biggest star in the company at the time, Punk came to the ring and broke everyone’s hearts. This began a slow, calculated heel turn by Punk, who would go on to form The Straight Edge Society later in the year. It all began with a perfect cash-in.
Carmella can do the same. Fast forward to 2018, and let’s do a little fantasy booking.
Imagine Bayley has made a switch to SmackDown, and after months of overcoming the odds and earning the fan’s sympathy, she wins the Women’s Championship. Out comes The Princess of Staten Island, who cashes in, ruins Bayley’s moment and ignites her own run as one of the top heels in the Women’s division.
That’s just one scenario that could happen. With the briefcase in Carmella’s hands, the WWE could devise the perfect plan for her overdue cash-in sometime in 2018.
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The winner of Sunday’s marquee match should hold on to the briefcase for a long time, threatening but ultimately failing in many potential cash-in attempts. In the meantime, she can participate in feuds away from the championship, while the likes of Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Natalya challenge Naomi for the crown.
Carmella isn’t ready for a run at the top just yet, and holding on to the briefcase would buy her time to develop her character. The potential of Carmella working alongside James Ellsworth with the MITB contract in hand could create an interesting dynamic.
Used correctly, the winner of the Money in the Bank match can be catapulted into a higher spot on the card.
Edge’s rise to stardom was cemented when he captured the WWE Championship from John Cena. Cena had just fought in a grueling Elimination Chamber match to defend his title before Edge marched the ring, cashed in his championship opportunity and shocked the world. It’s situations like this one that made Edge known as The Ultimate Opportunist, and one of the top heels in the WWE at the time.
Charlotte, Lynch and Natalya are all established stars at the top of the SmackDown Women’s division; neither “needs” the briefcase. All three will be involved in the championship picture before long.
The same isn’t necessarily true of Carmella, which is why she’s the ideal winner in the first ever Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
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Carmella’s character grew in popularity during her run in NXT, but it hasn’t yet clicked for her on SmackDown. The Princess of Staten Island might not be ready for championship gold yet, but by winning the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, she will be poised to be catapulted herself to the top of the Women’s division when the time is right.
Bada bing… Mrs. Money in the Bank?