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Tiffany Stratton vs. Tatum Paxley vs. Candice LeRae – Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying match
Paxley came in blazing hot when she managed to take down Stratton and LeRae within seconds of each other. I’m not sure where Stratton disappeared to, but Tatum seemed to be on a roll here as she engaged with Candice. A kick to the back of Candice’s head plus a German suplex wobbled the poor girl. LeRae attempted a return fire and only half managed before Tiffy came back with a double Stunner.
Stratton caught LeRae with a Swanton, yet Paxley absolutely nailed Tiffy with a spin kick that almost ended the match. Candice had Tatum lined up for a springboard Moonsault, Paxley flipped her off the ropes, and she was nearly overtaken by Tiffy. Later on, Paxley performed a beautiful Cemetery Drive that LeRae tried to steal if Tatum hadn’t pushed her off.
A headbutt from Paxley to LeRae allowed Stratton to roll through Candice. Tatum got LeRae with a huge body splash and probably would have won if Tiffany hadn’t crashed onto both bodies with the Prettiest Moonsault to advance.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Backstage, Women’s Champion Chelsea Green expressed her hopes for Stratton to win Money in the Bank because she’s her “Nikki to her Brie”. And just as Green was about to call Nikki a b*tch, miss lady walked in to make her intentions clear about taking that title. Again. Paige reaffirmed that if Nikki wants that Championship, she’ll have to face her first. Paige even gave Nikki a two-weeks head start before slapping the crap out of her. This feud, as Paige made it known, isn’t purely about winning gold.
I was shocked to find Ricky Saints teaming up with the War Raiders. This confusing concoction must have happened last week, so I’ll be sitting around looking like this “O_O” for the rest of the match. It was obvious that Nathan Fraser was becoming lopsided, and tagging Axiom evened the playing field a little bit.
Rey Fenix took down Ivar. Erik demolished Fenix. Axiom stunned him. Saints ploughed through Axiom. Nathan dropped kicked Ricky. Ivar kicked Fraser. Fenix went after Ivar, and this finally stopped once Erik knocked the hell out of Rey. Fraxiom doubled up on Erik outside while Fenix ventured to take care of Ivar only to be bamboozled by Ricky taking the cake for his team.
Damian Priest returned to his roots to remind himself of who he is, not who Truth thought he was. Priest warned Truth that if he comes back searching for trouble, he will find it in the form of a bad man who’ll enjoy delivering a beating… professionally.
Everyone had their say; Penta, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans and Finn Balor about becoming World Champion, but no one made a greater impact than Gunther when he launched Zayn and Balor into a ladder.
Oof, damn. Ha! That knee strike delivered to Giulia right in front of the commentary table was so brutal that I looked like I was having a seizure with my eyes. Giulia momentarily made a comeback with Arrivederci after laughing maniacally prior to that. Nevertheless, that stomp to Blake Monroe wasn’t sufficient. Giulia was planning a superplex, but Monroe thwarted it by tripping her off so badly that Giulia may have been knocked out cold when Blake made the triumphant cover.
Kevin Owens vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Cody Rhodes – Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying match
Owens was particularly vicious tonight in his movements towards Gargano and Rhodes. Johnny started picking up speed with a slingshot spear to Cody, and a suicide drive to Kevin. As time progressed, Gargano managed to destabilize Cody long enough for Owens to swoop in with a Senton. By this point, KO was the only one still uptight.
While Owens was tangled up with Rhodes, Gargano came back into the fold to use Cody as a weapon to strike Kevin in the crotch. Michael Cole said that was clever. Was it really? Are we just going to ignore the fact that a man’s face was in another man’s crotch involuntarily?? Hm?! I think the hell not.
And since Johnny started this, it’s only fair for Owens to be the one to shove Gargano into the stairs ribs first. Kevin was hoping to slam Johnny through a table setup, yet Candice LeRae intercepted that idea. Rhodes dodged an incoming attack from Johnny, yet he ultimately ended up in the Gargano Escape submission hold. When he finally knew relief, it was due to Owens yanking Johnny off.
Owens had momentum, as far as I’m concerned, however, he almost fell victim to the Gargano Escape. He succeeded with a pinning reversal that went nowhere. Rhodes came in and dropped Johnny on top of Kevin. In retaliation, Gargano failed to superplex Owens. A powerbomb from Johnny, then a Swanton by Owens to Cody didn’t go in either man’s direction.
Since Rhodes was blasted off somewhere, Kevin came close to winning this match with a Stunner, yet Cody dived in and stopped the count by grabbing hold of the referee’s hand. An attempted Stunner was in effect, regrettably, Rhodes performed a Crossroads instead. He covered Owens only for the official to be pulled out by Randy Orton. He taunted Rhodes to give chase, and that he did.
The American Nightmare was preparing to putt Orton’s face, shockingly, Johnny bulldozed him, then he drove Owens’ head into the mat. Unsuccessful. Luckily, Owens’ Pop Up Powerbomb awarded him the victory that Randy further contributed by preventing Rhodes from interrupting.
Winner: Kevin Owens
TOP PHOTO: Stratton covering LeRae. Courtesy of WWE
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