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Money in the Bank Toronto: A live perspective from the press box

Amos Mina
A victorious Bloodline poses in the ring at the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Photo by Steve Argintaru, Twitter/IG: @stevetsn

A victorious Bloodline poses in the ring at the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Photo by Steve Argintaru, Twitter/IG: @stevetsn

TORONTO – Live from the Scotiabank Arena, WWE brings its annual July PLE showcase Money in the Bank for the first time in sunny, scenic Toronto, Canada. And SLAMWrestling.net’s Amos Mina was on the scene taking in all the ladder-themed event’s chaos unleashed on the 416.

An ad graphic promoting WWE Money in the Bank is shown on the big-screen at Scotiabank Arena on July 6, 2024. Photo by Amos C. Mina    MORE PHOTOS IN OUR MONEY IN THE BANK GALLERY

Whenever the WWE comes to Toronto, whether it be an episode of Raw or SmackDown or a premium live event like tonight’s MITB… the North Side is always seen as “bizarro” land for its raucous, divert from the norm, crowds. But one thing is certain, whether they cheer the good or bad guys, they are insanely loud! No better match to get this Toronto crowd going than the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. The Toronto crowd absolutely brought the hype for “Main Event” Jey Uso’s entrance, as he came through the 100s section at the Scotiabank Arena. Subsequent fan-engaging responses came from LA Knight’s (YEAH!) entrance and Drew McIntyre, as the crowd trolled the “Scottish Psychopath” with “CM Punk” chants. Poor Drew, he’ll never escape his arch-nemesis even when he’s not in the picture.

Hearing the sold-out Toronto crowd of over 19,000 chanting “YEET!” at the top of their lungs, especially from the top of the arena in the press box. The noise up there is a whole other level of deafening. In fact, I think the acoustics up here might be the best in the house, as it’s almost like all the noise shoots up to the rafters. Case in point, it’s thunderous. Speaking of rafters, while looking down at the wrestlers in the ring, I kind of felt like Crow Sting, not gonna lie. But that’s beside the point, now back to the action!

Press box view for SLAMWrestling.net’s Amos Mina at the Money in the Bank PLE at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on July 6, 2024. Photo by Amos C. Mina.    MORE PHOTOS IN OUR MONEY IN THE BANK GALLERY

I sort of feel bad for Andrade and Melo, it’s almost like they were the scraps of this match. And they are both insanely talented. But that’s where you can rely on them to be the absolute workhouses in a match like this. Even Chad Gable had the fans chanting “YOU SUCK!” at him during his entrance, cos you know, he’s Kurt Angle 2.0 they tell ya. Seems like Toronto switched up real quick on Drew as they came unglued when he unhooked the briefcase and won the match. They just cheered, not a peep of CM Punk chants rang through. Good on ya Drew Mc-in the Bank.

Drew McIntyre poses in victory with the briefcase at the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Photo by Steve Argintaru, Twitter/IG: @stevetsn  MORE PHOTOS IN OUR MONEY IN THE BANK GALLERY

Next up on the card was the Intercontinental Title throwdown between challenger Bron Breakker and defending champ Sami Zayn. Bron got a pretty mellow reaction, but it was fellow countryman Sami Zayn that resonated with this Toronto crowd. They sang along to his catchy theme and made their presence felt, making it clear to Bron that they were Team Sami all the way. “OLE!” chants kicked off the match, which is almost a free bet at any point during a Sami match. Bron is the perfect monster heel for the WWE’s resident underdog Sami to vanquish, but everyone sat on the edge of their seats wondering if Gunther-esque lightning could strike twice.

Randomly, Toronto broke out a “Michael Cole” chant as Bron and Sami worked near the announce table. Hey, I mean? Give MC his due, he’s an OG of the game. Lo and behold, lightning would indeed strike twice as Sami hit a vicious Helluva Kick on Bron for the dub. I’m not gonna lie, I thought Sami was for sure losing but alas his title reign continues. Much to the pleasure of this Toronto crowd, that is. Bron is still young, I’m thinking he’ll get his moment in due time.

Sami Zayn sets up his patented Helluva Kick on Bron Breakker at the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Photo by Steve Argintaru, Twitter/IG: @stevetsn  MORE PHOTOS IN OUR MONEY IN THE BANK GALLERY

An ad played on the big screens here at Scotiabank Arena promoting the return of WWE Bad Blood in Atlanta on October 5th. Talk about a crazy combo too as popular rap music producer Metro Boomin and Cody Rhodes sat in a car across from the State Farm Arena. The WWE is definitely regaining that mainstream appeal. Especially with the hip-hop and rap culture, no doubt about it.

MITB host, Toronto’s own Trish Stratus, comes out and announces a special guest will come out… I don’t know what she said exactly, I couldn’t really hear everything. But I know one thing. I saw a decibel meter pop up and knew something special was gonna happen. It doesn’t get any more special than one of the greatest of all time… AND HIS NAME IS JOHN CENA!

Oh my god. I did not see this coming at all. As happy as this crowd was to see big match John, no one was ready to hear his grand announcement. John Cena, the WWE staple for well over 20+ years is ready to step away from the squared circle, for good. The John Cena retirement tour begins. He announces with tears running down his face that Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania in 2025 will be his final run. I don’t think I’m ready for a post-John Cena WWE world. I mean, he hasn’t been a regular face on TV for a long time now but to never see him step foot in the ring again… It’ll truly be the end of an era. Crazy to announce such a monumental reveal in Toronto of all places, this crowd was very grateful to witness history in the making. Hats off to John for all he’s accomplished, and as much as he’s aged out of his in-ring prime, I’m sure this final rodeo will be unforgettable!

John Cena does his signature pose in the ring at the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Photo by Steve Argintaru, Twitter/IG: @stevetsn  MORE PHOTOS IN OUR MONEY IN THE BANK GALLERY

I don’t know how you follow that up, but next up to the plate was the World Heavyweight Championship match between Damian Priest and Seth “Freakin” Rollins. High stakes here as Damian Priest puts up not only his world title but also his spot in The Judgment Day, while Rollins risks the chance to never challenge for the crown so long as Priest holds it. Rollins’ fan-interactive entrance is enough to get the crowd going, while Priest’s entrance “All Rise!” intro strings out a chorus of boos.

The fans chant what I’m going to safely assume was “Undertaker” at Damian Priest, but knowing what fans have been calling him on X… It sure sounded like “Cuntertaker” instead. Shades of WrestleMania 31 come to mind as newly-crowned Mr. MITB Drew McIntyre comes out to cash in his briefcase, turning it into a Triple Threat title match. Extremely fitting as Seth Rollins is in this match too. But wait. Just when you thought the hijinx was over, a wild CM Punk appears! Punk attacks McIntyre with a chair and strangles him à la Justin Roberts-Daniel Bryan. CM Punk ultimately costs Drew his big moment once again, as his interference on McIntyre’s cash-in allows Priest to retain his belt. To me, it’s a waste of a Money in the Bank win, but I digress. Drew joins an unfortunate list in the annals of WWE history as Superstars to unsuccessfully cash in their title opportunity.

It is then announced that Damian Priest’s next adversary to his title will be the “Ring General” Gunther at SummerSlam in Cleveland next month. Not much reaction from the Toronto crowd, but I can get with it. It’s time for Gunther to claim his rightful crown, well second crown that is.

In the co-main event slot at MITB 2024, it’s time for the ladies to climb the ladder and retrieve the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase. Out of all the ladies to get a solid reaction from this Toronto crowd, those honors easily go to Miss Tiffy Time herself, Tiffany Stratton, and the oh-so-sassy, Miss Chelsea Green. Two talents that give off the perfect mix of pre-Women’s Revolution “Diva” and the present-day WWE Women’s Superstar, hats off to them! The match begins with a frenetic start as Chelsea Green bursts into action, enthusiastically jumping up and down in an attempt to grab the briefcase, oblivious to the fact that there’s no ladder in sight.

The fans break out in a “Tiffy Time” chant shortly thereafter. I’d like to give my made-up workhorse award(s) in this match to Iyo Sky and Lyra Valkyria. Much like Andrade and Melo in the Men’s match earlier. Lost in the shuffle is Zoey Stark, who has “negative aura” as the kids today say. The glowy one Naomi introduces tables into the match, much to the crazed Toronto crowd’s delight. The two crowd favorites Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton are involved in the closing moments of the contest, as Miss Tiffy Time sends the B.C. native down her ladder onto a set of tables. Man, that looked like an insane spot from up here! Tumbled over like a tower of blocks. All alone at the top, Tiffany Stratton unclasps the briefcase to win the Women’s MITB match, and the Toronto crowd roars in celebration.

There’s only one match left on the cards… IT’S TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT! A star-studded six-man tag team extravaganza pitting ex-Legacy stablemates Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, along with Canada’s favorite son Kevin Owens, against the treacherous Bloodline trio of Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, and the self-proclaimed “New Tribal Chief” Solo Sikoa. KO gets a solid reaction. Randy gets the crowd going with his trademark “Voices” theme song. But it’s “The American Nightmare” who garners that final-boss-like walkout. Grandeur fireworks and pyro light up the Scotiabank Arena as the modern-day Mr. America (not that one) is the last to join his trio.

And with that, the big fight feels kick-off with super loud “We Want Roman” chants and immediately followed up with “F*** You Solo” chants. Eeesh. Tough night at the office for Uso Jr. He cowardly steps into the ring, teasing the crowd, before stepping out and tagging in his MFT, Tama Tonga. Two sluggers go at it in KO and Tama as the crowd erupts with delight. “The Viper” wants a piece of the action and fans at Scotiabank Arena eat it up. The X-factor of this matchup, Jacob Fatu, takes the ring as he’s tagged in and receives a signature Randy Orton DDT. But instead of crumbling under the impact, the “Samoan Werewolf” responds as if a feather had caressed his face. Hence, why Jacob is the X-factor here. He’s got that aura. Solo returns to chants of “F You Solo” and “We Want Roman”, it’s clear this crowd wants nothing to do with the dastardly villain.

The melee results in two ref bumps, which is another free bet in any match involving The Bloodline. “This is Awesome” chants ring out in Scotiabank Arena as Kevin Owens hits a frog splash on Jacob Fatu through the announce table. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa earn RKOs respectively, fulfilling the hunger of this Toronto crowd to see some RKO action. Holy moly. Who eats the pin in this match to everyone’s surprise? The Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. Fatu and Sikoa set him up for a Samoan Spike and Jacob wakes up the ref to count the 1-2-3. It’s over. Posed in the ring are The Bloodline, who stand over Cody Rhodes’ almost dead-looking body. Absolute madness. With that, Money in the Bank 2024 in Toronto comes to a close, but rather in an anti-climactic fashion for the hyped Toronto crowd. Nevertheless, it was still a pretty strong show from top to bottom, and no better view on top than up in the press box!

WWE MONEY IN THE BANK IN TORONTO WEEKEND STORIES & GALLERIES

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