WWE Money in the Bank 2020 will take place on May 10 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT live on the WWE Network with the kickoff show beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
The PPV will feature six superstars climbing the ‘corporate’ ladder in the WWE Headquarters to retrieve the Money in the Bank Briefcase, which contains a contract that guarantees them a future championship opportunity. The following will provide some early match card predictions for this PPV.
Money in the Bank! This PPV is statistically proven to make or break a superstar’s career. The precariousness of this PPV is paramount (Shelton Benjamin knows that very well), and plenty of memorable moments come to mind when a WWE fan thinks of MITB.
Besides that incredible moment, Punk did cash in successfully on both Edge and Jeff Hardy in 2009 and 2010 to become World Heavyweight Champion. Daniel Bryan, and possibly Dolph Ziggler and/or Carmella could have the opportunity to follow in Punk’s footsteps as two-time MITB winners at this year’s MITB to set a new bar in MITB history, if they cash in successfully.
Although Carmella is money and was the first ever Women’s MITB Winner, her moment was slightly ruined by James Ellsworth. With that being said, the most memorable Women’s MITB Winner was Bayley, who cashed in her MITB Briefcase in record time at last year’s MITB to become SmackDown Women’s Champion.
She then went on to become the best SmackDown Women’s Champion in history and is still the current champion to this day as she is slated to defend her title against Tamina at this year’s MITB.
It’s ironic that a superstar from AEW (*cough* Chris Jericho) created the concept of MITB and is not as well-known for its history as other superstars. Nonetheless, irony is just honesty with the volume cracked up, isn’t it. Anyways, let’s not digress.
Per WWE’s official website, the WWE MITB 2020 Match Card is shaping up pretty nicely thus far:
"Men’s MITB Ladder Match Aleister Black vs. Apollo Crews vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Daniel Bryan vs. King Corbin vs. Otis/Dolph Ziggler WWE Championship Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Seth Rollins Universal Championship Braun Strowman (c) vs. Bray Wyatt SmackDown Women’s Championship Bayley (c) vs. Tamina Women’s MITB Ladder Match Asuka vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Nia Jax vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacey Evans vs. Mandy Rose/Carmella"
Now that we have covered a selection of memorable moments in both Men’s and Women’s MITB history, let’s predict this year’s full MITB 2020 Match Card.
Asuka vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Nia Jax vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacey Evans vs. Carmella [Women’s MITB Ladder Match]
Dana Brooke has the lowest chances of winning this year’s MITB. Although she is a gem inside and outside the ring, her momentum has been too lacking to warrant a shot at singles gold, especially after losing a women’s tag team championship match with Carmella on last week’s SmackDown.
Carmella has already won the MITB Briefcase and it is unlikely that she will win it again this year, if she qualifies against Mandy Rose on next week’s SmackDown. Her momentum is synonymous with Dana Brooke at the moment, especially since she is in a tag team with her and they both missed out on WrestleMania 36.
Asuka is the sleeper pick to win this year’s Women’s MITB Ladder Match. Her TLC victories from 2018 and 2019 could go in her favor as she seeks to capture the only championship that has eluded her career: Becky Lynch’s Raw Women’s Championship. She failed to dethrone Lynch at WWE Royal Rumble 2020 but she could get a second chance with the MITB contract.
Nia Jax is the dark horse of this year’s Women’s MITB Ladder Match. Since she has never battled Becky Lynch one-on-one on the main roster, her ‘face-breaker’ storyline with Becky Lynch from 2018 could come back to life in 2020 if she won the MITB contract and cashed in to win the Raw Women’s Championship for the second time.
Lacey Evans rightfully qualified for the Women’s MITB Ladder Match this year, but it should not have been at Sasha Banks’ expense. Nonetheless, Evans is a favorite to win this year’s MITB Ladder Match, thanks to her history with SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. As can be indicated by her interference in their matches, she is heavily involved in Bayley and Sasha’s storyline with Tamina and could very will win the MITB Briefcase and carry it like a lady’s purse on her way to winning her first ever SmackDown Women’s Championship on the main roster.
Shayna Baszler has the highest chances of winning this year’s Women’s MITB Ladder Match. Instead of getting a championship rematch against Becky Lynch, she has been breaking everyone’s arm on a weekly basis will most likely decimate all 5 women’s arms in the MITB Ladder Match. Her ongoing arm-breaking gimmick is a foreshadowing of things to come for the arm-breaker herself, Becky Lynch. The result of this match is inevitable and will lead to Baszler’s first Raw Women’s Championship on the main roster.
Prediction: Shayna Baszler
Sami Zayn (c) vs. Drew Gulak [Intercontinental Championship]
At WrestleMania 36, Sami Zayn retained the Intercontinental Championship against Daniel Bryan. The WWE Universe has not seen Zayn since WrestleMania since he had to extract his wisdom tooth, which will take about two weeks to recover from at max. Henceforth, he should be back to defend his Intercontinental Championship and it will most likely be against Drew Gulak.
On last week’s SmackDown, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura interrupted Drew Gulak’s MITB Qualifying Match against King Corbin to attack Daniel Bryan at ringside. Thanks to the distraction, Gulak lost his MITB Qualifying Match and was thereby incapable of joining his protege, Daniel Bryan, in the Men’s MITB Ladder Match. The next logical step for Gulak would be to seek revenge against The Artist Collective by targeting the Intercontinental Championship instead.
In order to get that championship opportunity, he must secure sufficient momentum by defeating Cesaro and Nakamura in the next two weeks before battling Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship at WWE MITB 2020. Although this momentum would be enough for a championship opportunity, it’s not enough to win a championship. After losing to Daniel Bryan at Elimination Chamber 2020 and to Cesaro at WrestleMania 36, it’s just not sensible for Gulak to dethrone Sami Zayn just yet and Zayn still has a lot more liberating, altruistic work to do with the championship before dropping to a worthy contender.
Prediction: Sami Zayn
Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy [Grudge Match]
The Rise. The Fall. The Redemption. The Comeback. The WWE has been promoting Jeff Hardy’s journey each week on SmackDown either before or after Sheamus effortlessly defeats a jobber. Clearly, the seeds are being a planted for a rivalry between these two superstars and could have been fertilized to elicit a match for WWE MITB 2020.
Sheamus has felt disrespected by Michael Cole every time he conveniently mentions Jeff Hardy after Sheamus’ matches. Instead of taking his anger out on Michael Cole, he will instead continue his dominance and attempt to ravage Hardy once Hardy returns to in-ring competition. However, his dominance may have to take a toll here because it would be completely asinine to promote Jeff Hardy’s redemption from his past addictions just for him to lose to Sheamus.
Prediction: Jeff Hardy
The New Day (c) vs. Forgotten Sons [SmackDown Tag Team Championships]
Although some may have expected a triple threat championship rematch amongst The New Day, Usos, and Dirt Sheet, it seems that Usos were nowhere to be seen on last week’s SmackDown and Morrison and Miz may be breaking up due to The Miz’s continuous losses as of late.
Instead, the WWE may book The New Day to defend their newly won tag team championships against The Forgotten Sons, who completely decimated most of the tag teams in the SmackDown Tag Team Division last week thanks to their numbers advantage.
It is evident that they want to make a statement after getting called up from NXT and will very likely get a championship opportunity against The New Day at WWE MITB 2020. Since The New Day recently won the tag championships, they should retain while giving the Forgotten Sons a strong showing for their first championship match on the main roster.
Prediction: The New Day
Street Profits (c) vs. Viking Raiders [Raw Tag Team Championships]
In a backstage interview, Bianca Belair mentioned that Street Profits have never defeated the Viking Raiders and need to do so next. Clearly, Belair is a more qualified booker than Vince McMahon but that’s besides the point.
When the Viking Raiders were Raw Tag Team Champions, they retained the championships against The Street Profits. Thanks to 50:50 booking, the Street Profits should get a win back and retain their Raw Tag Team Championships now that the roles are reversed.
These tag teams have their NXT history to fall back on and they should be able to build up their championship match in two weeks time without showcasing carpool karaoke, which is absolutely absurd for the Viking Raiders’ gimmick.
Since the O.C. was unceremoniously fired and Authors of Pain are unfortunately injured, there are not that many options for the Raw Tag Team Division so keeping the championships on the Street Profits is the safest booking decision at the moment.
Prediction: Street Profits
Bliss Cross Applesauce (c) vs. The IIconics [Women’s Tag Team Championships]
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross have been on a roll as Women’s Tag Team Champions, and it has not yet been confirmed who will next to challenge them for WWE MITB 2020. However, it has been rumored that the IIconics are being repackaged and could be near an in-ring return, so that is definitely an idea to ‘bank’ on.
Since Bliss Cross Applesauce have already retained the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Kabuki Warriors and Carmella and Dana Brooke and most of the other women are in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match, it may be time for the IIconics to make their return for a Women’s Tag Team Championship rematch.
They lost their Women’s Tag Team Championships to Bliss Cross Applesauce in the first place, so it would be good booking to set up their rematch for the PPV.
When it comes to repackaging, the WWE Universe never knows how they will end up. However, when considering the repackaging of Emma to Emmalina from the past, it is probably safer to bet on Bliss Cross Applesauce retaining the Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Prediction: Bliss Cross Applesauce
Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville [Grudge Match]
Fire and Desire! This love triangle is undoubtedly the best storyline on the card and rightfully so. Sonya Deville did an excellent heel job at not only devising a plan to ruin Mandy Rose’s love life but also revealing the grudges she has held against her best friend for so long.
This is not simply the “best friends can become your enemy” storyline. Most WWE fans are well aware of Vince McMahon’s favorable booking toward beautiful blonde women and it was clear that Rose received more opportunities than Deville in certain ways. Deville brought awareness to this partiality when she cut the promo of her career on last week’s Friday Night SmackDown.
For example, Mandy Rose, not Sonya Deville, attained a SmackDown Women’s Championship against Asuka at WWE Fastlane 2019. Also, as Deville mentioned on Twitter, Mandy Rose, not Sonya Deville, was included in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match at last year’s MITB PPV and was again the only one included in a qualification match for this year’s MITB Ladder Match.
Although Rose is definitely very talented and much more than a pretty face, Deville needs to redeem herself from all the opportunities she missed while teaming with Rose. Since Otis already obtained his WrestleMania moment, Deville should defeat Rose at WWE MITB 2020 and they can even the score in the end of a trilogy with a mixed tag team match featuring Otis and Mandy Rose vs. Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville at the next PPV.
Prediction: Sonya Deville
Bayley (c) (w/Sasha Banks) vs. Tamina [SmackDown Women’s Championship]
Bayley has defeated everyone in the SmackDown Women’s Division, except Tamina and her best friend, Sasha Banks. Although Sasha Banks should have qualified for the MITB Ladder Match to earn an opportunity to cash in the Briefcase on Bayley after this championship match, it seems that there will be other plans for Bayley and Banks’ rivalry on the road to SummerSlam.
Nonetheless, Banks’ continuous losses since her return from a four-month hiatus have made her look like a total loser to the point that she should not even be considered for a championship opportunity against Bayley. If this is WWE’s way of building Banks for a future championship opportunity or push of some sort, the booking of Banks has been egregious.
As for Tamina, she has no chance in hell at dethroning Bayley. Only one superstar should be taking the championship from Bayley and that’s Sasha Banks. If anyone else does so, it is unacceptable booking and quite frankly disrespectful to both Banks and Bayley as well.
Prediction: Bayley
Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Io Shirai [NXT Women’s Championship]
Since the Raw Women’s Championship won’t be defended, it is likely that there will be space on the card for the NXT Women’s Championship. Despite going to NXT, Charlotte Flair is technically still part of the Raw roster so her presence on PPVs should still be felt.
Io Shirai won a ladder match to become #1 contender for what will be a dream match against Charlotte for the NXT Women’s Championship. It is evident that Charlotte will continue retaining her championship until Rhea Ripley returns for a rematch, so there’s unfortunately no hope for Shirai to pick up the gold at this point in time.
Since there are no plans for Charlotte on Raw with Becky Lynch as champ, Charlotte is pretty much buying her time on NXT until they have finally have portentous plans for her on the main roster. Meanwhile, she is elevating the NXT Women’s Division the best way she can and she should remain NXT Women’s Champion so that she can continue doing so.
Prediction: Charlotte Flair
Braun Strowman (c) vs. Bray Wyatt [Universal Championship]
These two members of the Wyatt Family are clashing for the first time at WWE MITB 2020. Their history is unparalleled and should make for a perceptive storyline that should be stretched to WWE SummerSlam 2020 in August.
Bray Wyatt won’t be The Fiend in this match so it’s entirely safe to assume that Strowman will retain the championship here to elicit a post-match attack by The Fiend and a championship rematch at the next PPV.
It’s unfortunate to foresee Wyatt losing a championship match after earning a career-making victory over John Cena at WrestleMania 36, but it would keep both superstars protected if Strowman retained. Whenever Wyatt becomes The Fiend, he should win and get his championship back because it should not have left his grasp in the first place.
Prediction: Braun Strowman
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Seth Rollins [WWE Championship]
The BeastSlayers are clashing! As predicted, Drew McIntyre will defend his WWE Championship against Beast Slayer #1 at WWE MITB 2020. This bout will merely be a proving grounds for McIntyre as he aspires to validate his WWE Championship victory against Lesnar at WrestleMania 36 with a definitive victory over Rollins in a potential show-stealing match. Since they both slayed the Beast at WrestleMania, many critics may see their paths as similar but there are key differences to keep in mind when analyzing this feud.
Unlike Rollins, McIntyre won his first WWE Championship by defeating Lesnar after dreaming broken dreams for ten years. This match will prove why his victory over Lesnar in the main event of a crowd-less WrestleMania 36 was more meaningful than Rollins’ victory over Lesnar at the start of a jam-packed WrestleMania 35.
Unlike Rollins, McIntyre had his back against the wall with no sufficient support system after becoming too entitled and too complacent. While Rollins had the main-event caliber Shield from the start of his career and the Authority throughout his career as his sturdy support systems, McIntyre had the jobber-like 3MB as his support system, which lacked any sort of promise.
Unlike Rollins, McIntyre had to scratch, claw, and make his way back from such an embarrassing downfall to the main event of WrestleMania. Rollins had no such downfall but he also does not have the experience of main eventing WrestleMania. McIntyre has that experience and that will give him the edge in retaining the WWE Championship in what should be a fulfilling story.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre
Aleister Black vs. Apollo Crews vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Daniel Bryan vs. King Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler [Men’s MITB Ladder Match]
Apollo Crews could become the first ever minority to become Mr. MITB, but he unfortunately and predictably has the lowest chances of winning the MITB Briefcase. Crews can’t lose, but his momentum has been too lacking to warrant a shot at singles gold.
Dolph Ziggler has already won the MITB Briefcase (his cash-in was the best) and it is unlikely that he will win it again this year, if he qualifies against Otis on next week’s SmackDown. Like Apollo Crews, he lacks momentum and he is already heavily involved in the storyline with Fire and Desire, so he should not be associated with the main championship scene anytime soon.
Rey Mysterio is the sleeper pick to win this year’s Men’s MITB Ladder Match. He has been on the receiving end of a MITB cash-in, thanks to Kane in 2010. He pointed out that the MITB contract has eluded his career, and his desire to add that to his legendary resume should warrant him a victory at this PPV. Before he ends his career, a MITB victory could also get him back to the main event scene where he belongs.
King Corbin is the dark horse of this year’s Men’s MITB Ladder Match. Although he already won the MITB contract, he failed his first cash-in against Jinder Mahal in 2017, so another MITB victory would be very redeeming for him as it would lead him to his first main card championship. As one of the few heels in this match, he also has a significant advantage in winning since heel superstars tend to win these matches.
Daniel Bryan is a favorite to win this year’s Men’s MITB Ladder Match. He failed to win both the Universal and Intercontinental Championships, which are the only singles championships available on Friday Night SmackDown.
Winning the MITB contract is his last option to obtaining singles gold. However, he does not need to win a second MITB Ladder Match at the moment because winning the SmackDown Tag Team Championships with Gulak is always a future option.
Aleister Black has the highest chances of winning this year’s MITB Ladder Match. His rapid momentum on Monday Night Raw has warranted a future main card championship opportunity.
Having a superstar with multiple tattoos climb the corporate ladder is also quite satiric and could be a sign of change for how a future face of the WWE should look. Also, Aleister Black cashing in on Bray Wyatt would be best for business.
Prediction: Aleister Black