Site icon Slam Wrestling

Stratton’s time is now, Cena’s time is up at Money in the Bank

Matthew McFarlin
John Cena at the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

John Cena at the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Toronto’s consolation for getting smeared in Kendrick Lamar’s culture-shifting rap beef was Money in the Bank 2024, which packed headlines into a five-match card. With novelty pay-per-views on the outs, the two Money in the Bank ladder matches held not only guaranteed championship matches in the balance, but the luster of the briefcase concept itself.

One winner left a jammed Scotiabank Arena with optimism, as Tiffany Stratton climbed the ladder of success to hail “Tiffy Time” at last. She joined other fresh competitors in Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, who made his highly-anticipated in-ring debut, in taking charge as faces of WWE’s new era. Exiting it was John Cena, who despite having contemporaries like CM Punk and Randy Orton in the limelight tonight, announced his retirement for 2025. He addressed Toronto by officially beginning his farewell tour, looking ahead to WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas as his last as a competitor.

Looking ahead might encapsulate Money in the Bank, as the event largely acted as a stepping stone to SummerSlam in Cleveland, Ohio on August 3. Talking points in the Wyatt Sicks and Roman Reigns were saved for later, and longshot speculation for AJ Lee didn’t come into fruition either. Former Team Rocket stablemate Big E quoted her theme song on the WWE Kickoff panel, saying, “Something about the night is magic – I can’t explain it.”

A women’s spearhead that did appear was Toronto’s own Trish Stratus, who hosted tonight’s event by first introducing Samantha Irvin for the U.S. national anthem and singer-songwriter Ryland James for the more apropos Canadian anthem. If anything, WWE’s pageantry can always be counted on, and the upgraded production came through with athlete walk-ins, thematic heist animations, and more for the promotion’s next of many international events.

Jey Uso vs Andrade vs LA Knight vs Chad Gable vs Carmelo Hayes vs Drew McIntyre – Men’s Money in the Bank

Speaking of production, Uso enters first through the Scotiabank Arena albeit with a scarcity of fireflies; it seems the Wyatt Sicks scared those away. Gable looks over his shoulder for the aforementioned six to “you suck” chants, and final entrant McIntyre is welcomed to “CM Punk” chants. The outcome of tonight’s opener is the most unpredictable in a while, although Las Vegas favorite Uso gains early control alongside Knight for a “yeet” versus “yeah” standoff. Action ramps up with Andrade and Hayes’ springboard tradeoff, and Gable turns Toronto into suplex city – even suplexing a ladder onto the former. Later, he snatches an ankle lock on Hayes from a ladder before McIntyre powerbombs him on another.

The men’s Money in the Bank match with Jey Uso Vs Andrade Vs LA Knight Vs Chad Gable Vs Carmelo Hayes Vs Drew McIntyre 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

Hayes makes an athletic comeback, spoiling Uso and Knight’s catchphrase battle, but becomes victim to Andrade’s now trademark, brutal sunset-flip powerbomb atop a bridged ladder. Gable dumps Knight, dangles from the briefcase thanks to Uso, and front-bumps 15-feet to the canvas. And as Uso nears the top, McIntyre foils him, scales the ladder and unlatches the briefcase to become 2024’s Mr. Money in the Bank. Despite the speculation of numerous interferences, McIntyre unpredictably wins without any funny business – although the predictable run-ins would’ve taken this to the next level, which was never quite achieved.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

 

Bron Breakker vs Sami Zayn (c) – Intercontinental Championship

Breakker debuts a new entrance theme, which sounds like another def rebel dud. Opposingly, Zayn’s now iconic sing-along gets Toronto hyped, although WWE’s new white-out towels don’t catch on the same. The champion takes control no problem with a signature springboard moonsault, but Breakker switches momentum, 23 mph in fact, with his incredible Steinerline. Zayn fights back with a tornado DDT, reverses the spear, and connects with the Blue Thunder Bomb for two. But Breakker recuperates with the Frankensteiner, with Corey Graves aptly saying he “makes it look easy,” and hits an apron clothesline over the announce desk for the compliment. The competitors counter each other’s running finishers, but Zayn ultimately connects with Helluva Kick for the decisive three-count. Toronto celebrates their native champion after a surefire, pay-per-view level back-and-forth, but the derogatory “Super Sami” nickname might actually have some validity now.

Winner: Sami Zayn

Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn 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

WWE announces the return of Bad Blood in Atlanta, Georgia on October 5. The video package features Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and hip-hop producer Metro Boomin, the catalyst of the big Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud that should culminate in Hell in a Cell at the vintage event.

John Cena 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

Host Trish Stratus welcomes back John Cena, easily boosting the Live and Loud meter past 100 dBs. “Tonight I officially announce my retirement from the WWE,” he says, dubbing WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas his last as a competitor. He thanks Toronto but in turn receives unanimous “thank you, Cena” chants before declaring he’s here to kick some ass. His new red t-shirt reads, “The last time is now… after this, you can’t see me.” And with that, the sun starts setting on one of the greatest careers of all-time, officially beginning the John Cena 2025 Farewell Tour. Thank you, Cena!

“Whatever you want, boss,” Finn Balor says, staring a hole through World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest in the Judgment Day lounge. He fist-bumps his stablemate, preoccupied with other thoughts while Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Carlito play WWE2K24 in genius subliminal marketing.

Seth Rollins vs Damian Priest (c) – World Heavyweight Championship

Priest told Judgment Day to stay in the back, attempting to prove he’s a real world champion – which has been debated ever since WrestleMania. Rollins immediately upstages him with outside dives and springboards, looking better than ever after a plethora of injuries. Priest garners “C-ertaker” chants, since he evidently isn’t taken seriously, before gaining momentum with strikes. He kicks out of The Stomp and connects with Razor’s Edge, but Rollins recuperates with his Superplex-Falcon Arrow combination.

Priest doesn’t kick out, but the referee hesitates on the count to a rageful uproar. But Toronto forgives when Mr. Money in the Bank Drew McIntyre officially cashes in, turning this match into a triple threat. He gains control before CM Punk invades to a great ovation, destroying his rival with a steel chair and the World Heavyweight Championship – which he curiously eyes. Priest capitalizes with South of Heaven for the victory, looking displeased either for receiving help or bungling the previous pinfall. 

Corey Graves stands between Seth Rollins and CM Punk 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

Also displeased is Rollins, who Corey Graves is forced to restrain in light of Punk costing the challenger – who can no longer compete for the World Heavyweight Championship as long as Priest is champion, which won’t be long considering King General Gunther’s opportunity at SummerSlam. Regardless, Michael Cole says Punk has turned WWE upside down – or at the very least, demeaned the Money in the Bank contract for yet another year.

Winner: Damian Priest

 

Naomi vs Zoey Stark vs Lyra Valkyria vs Tiffany Stratton vs Chelsea Green vs Iyo Sky – Women’s Money in the Bank

Cole can finally mention Punk is the only wrestler to win Money in the Bank back-to-back years, which Sky has the opportunity to replicate tonight. Green receives home-country support, and “Tiffy Time” gets over before things get awkward as Valkyria and Stark both miss maneuvers. Graves tries covering for the “hush” in the arena, which quickly turns to applause for potential-filled Stratton’s outside dive. Naomi straddles two ladders split-legged before pulling out two tables, and the match really turns into a “car wreck,” as commentary describes. Green hits an “ugly as hell” facebuster on a bridged ladder, but Sky ups the ante with an insane driver to Stark on another. Green attempts to capitalize but is sent through the aforementioned two tables in a frightening ringside plummet, and Stratton unlatches the briefcase to become 2024 Ms. Money in the Bank. 

Winner: Tiffany Stratton

Tiffany Stratton wins the women’s Money in the Bank match 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

Trish Stratus is interviewed backstage before Stratton quickly interrupts to gloat. Stratus advises to not get arrogant, but “Tiffy in the Bank” mocks the WWE Hall of Famer’s time being up – or so she believes.

The Bloodline vs Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and Cody Rhodes

Jacob Fatu makes his in-ring debut, and commentary mentions that WWE pulled strings to get him across the border. Backed by the “Samoan Werewolf” and “MFT” Tama Tonga, Solo Sikoa at last has aura, wearing the “Tribal Chief’s” Samoan lei to the ever-fitting theme song lyric: “we taking it all.” Speaking of aura, Owens gets a hearty Canadian pop, Orton’s “Voices” ramps the Live and Loud meter, and Undisputed WWE Champion Rhodes gives Toronto a taste of American nationalism. “We want Roman” fervor backs big-fight feel, Sikoa hands his lei to “Infamous” Tanga Loa, and “F- you, Solo” chants get tonight’s main event underway.

Rhodes starts against Tonga – who Michael Cole surreally credits as a founding member of Bullet Club – before Owens unleashes, receiving monstrous support with his mother’s health in-mind. Fatu tags in against Orton, but his indestructibility is cut short by Sikoa’s return. Owens makes a comeback until Sikoa and Fatu tear him down, the latter much more viciously, and The Bloodline maintain a long, methodical period of control. Rhodes finally receives the hot tag against Sikoa and backdrops Fatu into the timekeeper’s area, ultimately hitting a Cross Rhodes after the referee inadvertently gets dropped.

Orton takes advantage with an RKO on Tonga, and action breaks loose ringside; Owens hits Fatu with the giant Prime bottle before splashing him through the announce desk to deserved “this is awesome” chants. Meanwhile, Loa low-blows him in-ring, Orton hits two RKOs, and Rhodes delivers two Cross Rhodes on Sikoa. But Fatu intervenes with unnatural athleticism, and a Samoan Spike from Sikoa gives The Bloodline a victory over the Undisputed WWE Champion. 

Winners: The Bloodline

The Bloodline Vs Kevin Owens, Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes 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

WWE MONEY IN THE BANK IN TORONTO WEEKEND STORIES & GALLERIES

 

Money in the Bank 2024
3

Toronto, Ontario

With so much momentum and unpredictability heading into tonight, WWE going the safe route with every outcome feels underwhelming. But besides a bungled World Heavyweight Championship finish and an honestly messy women’s ladder match, the card was done to the highest level of production and professionalism. Although this was just a stepping stone to SummerSlam, it’s relieving to know that this WWE regime has a sense of direction.

Exit mobile version