WWE SmackDown: Was Baron Corbin’s Cash-In an Attempt to Fool Us?

Was Baron Corbin’s Money in the Bank contract cash-in this week a sign of things to come or a way for WWE to extend the suspense regarding the briefcase?

If you didn’t already know, Baron Corbin now sits along with Damien Sandow atop the worst Money in the Bank cash-ins in history. The Lone Wolf tried to take advantage of Jinder Mahal’s match with John Cena, but failed to capitalize on it, thanks to a distraction by Cena. This was one of the worst things WWE Creative could have done to the Lone Wolf. Not only did he look like a complete idiot, but he has also lost his Money in the Bank contract now. Worst of all, this was perhaps done to generate some heat for his program against Cena. Well, what more can I say that ‘Losers everywhere’.

That was my first reaction to this entire ordeal much like the rest of the WWE universe. However, on a closer inspection, there could be something more to this. Creative has always been high on Corbin. Moreover, he is one of the original NXT graduates a rising heel on the roster. Corbin has got many years left in his tank. Tuesday’s mishap could be a way to extend his Money in the Bank cash-in perhaps. Now, before you think how that is possible, hear me out.

We already know that the WWE title will be on the line at SummerSlam when Jinder Mahal defends it against Shinsuke Nakamura. Unless a miracle happens, the King of Strong Style would walk away as the WWE champion come Sunday. However, considering Nakamura’s history with Corbin, many had been predicting a cash-in by Corbin at SummerSlam. Now, as good as this idea feels like, on paper, there are two underlying issues with this approach.

Related Story: Will 2017 Be Baron Corbin’s Year in WWE?

For one, if Corbin were to successfully cash-in on that night, Nakamura would lose some serious momentum. It can be argued that the feud following this would be red-hot. However, Shinsuke Nakamura does not deserve to lose his first WWE title moments after winning it. Secondly, SummerSlam happens at the Women’s Money in the Bank contract holder Carmella’s home turf. The Princess of Staten Island has given out all hints at a cash-in regardless. Moreover, that would easily be the culmination of her efforts and fits like the right story to be told at SummerSlam. Two cash-ins on the same night would be a bit too much.

Hence, creative would have to prevent Corbin from cashing in that night. On the flip side, if Corbin were to not attempt a cash-in at all, it would have seemed like a dumb idea. Hence, a simple ‘show up and tease the cash-in’ spot would have worked here. However, now that creative has opted to take the road less traveled with Baron Corbin, they have to do some major damage control. For whatever unexplained reasons, I feel like something is in the works. Creative might throw a curve ball at us soon.

WWE would need to find ways to nullify what Corbin did last night. Moreover, they need to do it fast. If not, one of the best rising heels in the company could suffer for many years to come. Perhaps, they could come up with some storyline events that essentially nullify Corbin’s cash-in from last night. It could be a technicality that Corbin comes up with. Bleacher Report noted a scenario for this as well, by quoting a tweet from Aaron Oster of Rolling Stone.

Next: SmackDown Live Results Analysis, and Grades for Aug 15

Whatever the WWE decides to do from here, they need to ensure Corbin retains the briefcase. Moreover, they would need to make sure he cashes it in successfully. He never needed to cash-in and win at SummerSlam. But as it stands now, doing it while Nakamura is the champion would help to repair some of the damage creative has done to him. What are your thoughts?