Besides what they have going with The Bloodline and perhaps The Judgement Day, the WWE product has lacked intrigue. Money in the Bank though had more than enough for any wrestling fan. Not only could the Money in the Bank matches gone any way but John Cena and Drew McIntyre reappeared in WWE while for reasons to probably be explained later, Shayna Baszler and Damian Priest turned on their allies. Priest ended up costing Balor the World Heavyweight Championship and Baszler basically surrendered the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. More on that below.
The rumours of LA Knight finally getting the big win he needed turned out to be just that, just rumours. It was Damian Priest who took home the briefcase in the men’s Money in the Bank match. LA Knight had the briefcase in hand. Unfortunately. Priest gave him a Broken Arrow to claim the win.
In the women’s match Iyo Sky’s rise in the WWE continued as she turned on Bayley to become Miss Money in the Bank for 2023. After Bayley ruined her chance at victory earlier in the match Iyo handcuffed Bayley to Becky Lynch then climbed over Bayley to unclip the briefcase.
The Usos won what is probably just the first round of the Bloodline civil war when Jey Uso actually pinned Roman Reigns with a little help from his brother.
Apart from the John Cena and Grayson Waller segment which stood out like a sore thumb and really brought down the momentum of the show, Money in the Bank 2023 was one of the most all-around superb shows the WWE had produced not only in 2023 but in years. Part of that was the phenomenal crowd in the The O2 Arena in London, England, making it crystal clear that the WWE shouldn’t have waited 20 years to return to the sceptered isle.
Money in the Bank 2023 Results
Ricochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar vs. Butch vs. Damian Priest vs. Logan Paul – Men’s Money in the Bank Match
Damian Priest is your Money in the Bank winner. Courtesy: WWE.
Santos Escobar has some war paint on as he comes down to the ring. He looks like a bandit of sorts. Priest has new gear too. He looks like a mix between a Hellraiser Cenobite and a gladiator. The crowd erupts when LA Knight is introduced.
At the start, everyone batters Logan Paul. LA Knight even gets a big cheer when he DDTs hometown favourite Butch. Strange that. Priest teams up with Paul to set up a table on the floor then nails Paul. That team-up didn’t last long.
Paul gets massive boos when he stops Knight from climbing the ladder and slams the ladder on him. Priest rearranges the ring stairs around the ring. Paul frog splashes Priest on a ladder. The ladder does not break.
Nakamura puts Escobar in an arm-bar through a ladder so he cannot reach the briefcase. Butch has Santos in a headlock on a ladder. Ricochet splashes them both. The ladder does not break.
Knight stops Priest with a suplex off the ladder. Butch climbs a massive ladder and moonsaults everyone on the floor. Knight and Escobar are on ladders side by side trying to reach the briefcase. Escobar hits a hurricanrana on Knight off the ladders. Knight pulls a ladder down on Escobar and Nakamura leaving Paul and Ricochet battle it out until they fall off the ladder, land on the ropes. Ricochet gives Paul a Spanish Fly through the table on the floor. Paul’s face is what appears to have stopped his fall. That’s got to hurt.
Priest chokeslams Butch off a ladder onto a ladder below. LA Knight has the briefcase but Priest grabs him by the throat. Priest gives Knight a Broken Arrow off the ladder to the mat. Priest pulls down the briefcase to win the match.
Winner: Damian Priest at 17 minutes and 44 seconds.
Match Rating: 8.5 / 10
Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Rousey and Baszler brutally isolate and workover Morgan leaving Rodriguez to battle the champs alone. She powerbombs Rousey but Baszler saves the day in the nick of time. Rousey pulls Raquel off the apron and slams her into the steel post. Meanwhile, Baszler puts Morgan in the Kirifuda Clutch. Rousey tags in and lords over Morgan, smiling with glee.
Baszler, all of a sudden, attacks Rousey from behind, beating and battering her. She then just leaves the ring. The challengers have no idea what is going on but they are nothing but smiles. Raquel hits the Tejana Bomb and Morgan follows up with ObLIVion for the win.
Winners:…and new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions…Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez at 9 minutes.
Match Rating: 7 / 10
Priest is interviewed backstage but won’t reveal his Money in the Bank cash-in plans.
Gunther (c) vs. Matt Riddle – WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Gunther arrives to big cheers. Riddle has his injured ankle taped up. Riddle tries to slow Gunther down with a sleeper and other submissions but Gunther powers his way out of them.
A chop to Riddles chest sends him crashing down to the canvass. Gunther lights up Riddle in a corner. Riddle backs Gunther into a corner pummeling him with flying elbow smashes. Gunther just stomps his way out of a leg lock.
Riddle kicks, chops and forearm smashes Gunther. Gunther attacks Riddles ankle ripping off the protective tape. A knee smash just pissed off Gunther who German suplexes Riddle and goes right back to the ankle. Riddle’s Broton becomes a sleeper by Gunther when he reverses things. A clothesline from Gunther gets him a two count. A knee strike gets Riddle a two count as does a Floating Bro from the top rope. Riddle catches Gunther in a triangle choke before he lands. Gunther powerbombs Riddle for a two count. Gunther punishes Riddle’s ankle with a half crab and then an ankle lock submission. Riddle taps out.
The crowd goes mental as Drew McIntyre’s music plays. Drew heads to the ring in his street clothes. Michael Cole: “Drew McIntyre is back!”
Gunther and McIntyre stare each other down. The crowd chants for Drew. Gunther pushes Drew. McIntyre clobbers Gunther with a Glasgow Kiss and a Claymore Kick. Drew poses over a downed Gunther with the belt.
Winner:…and still WWE Intercontinental Champion at 7 minutes and 35 seconds, Gunther.
Match Rating: 7 / 10
Cody Rhodes vs. Dominik Mysterio
Rhea Ripley accompanies Dominik to the ring. The crowd showers boos down on Dominik. Dom dodges and weaves slugging Cody here and there. Dom retreats out of the ring as Cody goes to label him with a punch. Dom slides through Cody’s leg and slaps him in the face. Cody rips his cast off which shocks Dom. Cody’s arm is apparently healed up.
Cody corners Dom with kicks and punches. Cody picks up Dom and drives him to the mat with a running powerslam. Dom splits into the crowd. Cody drags him back to the ring.
As Rhea distracts Cody and the official as Dom loosens a turnbuckle and drives Cody into a ring post. Dom slams Cody’s head off the announce table. Cody barely beats the count back into the ring. Cody stops the Three Amigos with a suplex of his own. A Disaster Kicks gets Cody a two count. Cody stops a 619, puts Dom on his shoulders and spins him around and around for an Alabama Slam. A Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes pins Dom.
Winner: Cody Rhodes at 8 minutes and 38 seconds.
Match Rating: 7 / 10
John Cena’s music plays and he appears on the entrance way. He runs down to the ring.
“Surprise!” says Cena.
Cena wonders why it took the WWE so long to come back to England. Cena states that “management” isn’t sure what to make of England as the fans always seem to take over the show.
“You are the show!” proclaims Cena.
Cena says the fans are underappreciated. “I am here tonight because you all know I am big on respect and you have earned my respect.” The crowd chants “Thank you, Cena!”.
“I am here to try and bring WrestleMania to London!” he exclaims.
Out comes Grayson Waller. Waller says he respects Cena and everything he has done. The crowd tells Waller to Shut the f–k, up!
Waller claims Cena is lying to the fans. WrestleMania is never coming to England. Waller puts down the fans and the weather in England. Waller pushes Australia as a better host for WrestleMania.
The crowd calls Waller a wanker. Waller mocks Cena for losing to The Fiend, Austin Theory and Roman Reigns.
Waller to Cena: Let me help you save your career.
He invites Cena to The Grayson Waller Effect at WrestleMania Australia.
Cena passes on the invitation and prepares to leave the ring.
Waller attacks Cena from behind. Cena fights back and drops Waller with an Attitude Adjustment.
Zelina Vega vs. Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark vs. Bayley vs. Iyo Sky vs. Trish Stratus – Women’s Money in the Bank Match
Iyo Sky betrays Bayley to win the Money in the Bank briefcase. Courtesy: WWE.
Bayley is mistakenly introduced as a member of Judgement Day by Samantha Irvin.
As Becky Lynch makes her entrance dressed like Phoenix from The X-Men, Trish sends Stark to attack Lynch. Trish and Stark double team Lynch.
Damage Control pins Vega under a ladder. Stark and Stratus take over beating the tar out of everyone. Stark slams Sky face-first on a ladder. Stratus instructs Stark to bring a ladder into the ring. Stratus climbs the ladder. Damage Control pushes the ladder over. Stratus falls into the ropes.
Zelina gives Sky a hurricanrana off a ladder. Damage Control catches Vera in the middle of a ladder. They pull her back and forth into the ladder. Vega climbs over Trish between two ladders. Starks cuts off Vega. Bayley smashes Lynch’s head off the ladder so she cannot claim the briefcase.
Sky takes out everyone with a moonsault off the top of a ladder, except for Stratus. Stratus has the match won but Lynch stops her throwing her off the ladder. Vega lands a crossbody off the ladder onto Lynch and Stratus. Stratus and Lynch powerslam Vega off the ladder. Stark throws Lynch into a steel post. She then pulls out some handcuffs. Lynch fights out of being handcuffed to the post. Lynch slams Stark face-first on a ladder. Lynch and Stratus brawl on the announce table. Lynch Manhandle Slams Trish on a ladder.
Vega drives Stark through a ladder with a Code Red off a ladder. This leaves Sky free to climb the ladder. Bayley pulls Sky down though.
Lynch and Bayley battle at the top of the ladder. Sky handcuffs Lynch and Bayley to each other. Sky climbs over Bayley to retrieve the Money in the Bank briefcase. The crowd chants: You deserve it!
Winner: Iyo Sky at 18 minutes and 10 seconds.
Match Rating: 9 / 10
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Bálor – World Heavyweight Championship Match
Seth Rollins has his ribs taped up due to Balor’s recent attacks. The two pound on each other as the bell rings. Rollins knocks Balor into the announce table with a dive. Rollins smashes Balor off the table.
Rollins refuses to be thrown into the ring stairs. He clotheslines Balor instead. Balor stomps on Rollins ribs. Balor goes after the ribs kneeing them and punching them. Balor rams Rollins ribs into the turnbuckle. Balor ties Rollins in the ropes beating his back and ribs. He follows that up with shoulder tackles in a corner.
Rollins demands that Balor bring it…and he does railing on the ribs. Rollins eats a Slingblade to Buckle Bomb Balor into a corner. Balor lines up Rollins for a Coup de Grace. He misses. Rollins counters the Pele Kick with a Pedigree. Balor kicks out at two.
Suddenly, Damien Priest comes down to the ring with the Money in the Bank briefcase at 10 minutes into the match. The crowd encourages Priest to cash it in. Priest sets up a chair at ringside. As Rollins is distracted, Balor hits the Coup de Grace off the announce table and the ring apron.
Balor sends Rollins into a corner with the Shotgun Drop Kick. Balor climbs to the top rope for a final Coupe de Grace. Priest stands up, approaches the ring and that distracts Balor. Balor misses the Coup de Grace. Rollins wins with a Stomp. Balor and Priest argue after the match.
Winner: … and still WWE World Heavyweight Champion at 12 minutes and 2 seconds, Seth Rollins.
Match Rating: 7.5 / 10
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are interviewed in a sky box by Kayla Braxton. Zayn says he has been waiting to see this main event for a long time. Zayn: This is the night that Roman Reigns gets exactly what’s coming to him!
The Bloodline (Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa) vs. The Usos
Roman Reigns waves his belts in the Usos’ faces before the match. The crowd starts chanting: F–k you, Roman!
Solo slams Jimmy with authority sending him scampering back into a corner. Jimmy dodges and weaves chopping down the big man. Solo gets too close to the ropes, Jey kicks him in the back of the head from the apron. They double team Solo.
Reigns demands to be tagged in. Solo stares at Reigns for quite some time before tagging him in. Reigns shoulder tackles Jey down. Reigns claims he is the “only one”. A head butt has Jey staggered in the ropes. The Usos go for a double super kick. Reigns flees the ring to chat with Paul Heyman.
Heyman asks Reigns if he wants his kids to be ruled by The Usos? Reigns reenters the ring with purpose. He and Jey trade haymakers. Solo chokes Jey in the their corner as Reigns distracts the official. The Usos double kick Solo in their corner. Solo stuns Jimmy with a massive forearm. The official checks on Jimmy wondering if he can continue.
Roman complains to Heyman” This is the toughest place of all time! What a bunch of idiots!”
A running hip attack rattles Jimmy even more. Solo chokes Jey over the ropes as Reigns smiles and looks on. Reigns puts out Jey with a Drive-By for a two count.
Reigns holds up Jey in a corner buffeting him with repeated clotheslines and a big boot to the face. Jey almost makes the hot tag to Jimmy. Almost because Solo pulls Jimmy off the apron.
Reigns locks and loads. He misses the Superman Punch. Jey dives at Reigns taking himself and Roman over the top rope and to the floor. Roman and Jimmy tag out bringing Jey and Solo into the ring. A crossbody has Solo kicking out at two. Jey lands a hip attack on Solo in a corner. Jey takes both Solo and Reigns the floor. He splashes both of them. Jey takes two Superman Punches to the face. The Usos double spear Reigns. Solo makes the save.
All four men square up in the middle of the ring. They start brawling. Jimmy and Reigns are left inside the ring. Reigns charge meet with two super kicks from Jimmy. Jimmy dives off the top rope. Reigns catches him in a Guillotine. Jimmy won’t tap out. Jimmy powers Reigns into a corner to escape.
Jimmy tackles Reigns into the official. The referee falls through the ropes to the floor. The Uso hit One D but there is no official to make the count. Reigns and Solo double Uranage the Usos. Solo spikes Jimmy. Reigns and Solo spike and spear Jey. Solo drags Jimmy over Jey. The Usos kick out and the fans goes mental.
Reigns and Solo stare in disbelief. Reigns and Solo swarm the downed Usos. Solo throws Jimmy into the ringside stairs. A super kick puts Jimmy on the announce table. Solo leaps off the barricade. Jimmy moves. Solo goes through the table. Jimmy is speared by Reigns in the ring. He kicks out with a low blow. The Usos double super kick Reigns and Solo into oblivion. Jey pins Reigns with an Uso Splash from the top rope.
Winners: The Usos at 32 minutes and 20 seconds.
Match Rating: 9 / 10
Money in the Bank 2023 Summary
This is what a wrestling event should be. From start to finish not only was the wrestling itself on point but there was intrigue at every turn. One of the best WWE shows in quite some time and one of the best of 2023.
