‘WWE: Money in the Bank 2022’ PPV Review
Welcome to this review of WWE’s 2022 Money in the Bank pay per view, which kicked off with the women’s version of the event and – as per WWE’s new mandate – didn’t feature an over-stacked card, allowing each match some room to breathe… Let’s get into it!
Match #1: Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Liv Morgan def. Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Shotzi, Raquel Rodriquez and Lacey Evans
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
WWE Money in the Bank started off with its namesake as the women brought the fire and energy to open the show. Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan arguably had the most momentum, with each Superstar winning on Monday Night Raw before the Premium Live Event. However, as Asuka and Alexa Bliss, both previous winners of the contract, seemingly had an advantage over the field. The women wasted no time retrieving the ladders, leaving rivals Asuka and Lynch in the ring to duke it out. The ladders quickly entered the fray too, as Asuka planted Big Time Becks on the hard steel, and Raquel Rodriguez showcased her strength early by delivering a Double Suplex on Lynch and Morgan onto the ladder. Liv Morgan flips herself over Raquel Rodriguez to powerbomb Lacey Evans off the top of a ladder during the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. Shotzi was the first to touch the briefcase, but Lacey Evans threw her off the ladder. Evans nearly had the briefcase too, but her attempts to pull it down were denied by Morgan, who somehow flipped herself over the ladder and Rodriguez and dropped Evans with an incredible sunset flip. Big Time Becks took the opportunity to enact some payback on Asuka, performing a leg drop from the ladder onto another ladder that Asuka was placed on. The ladder did not break, however, with many wondering who suffered the most damage. The WWE Universe in Las Vegas delighted in the mayhem, chanting “This is Awesome.” In the frenetic final stages of the match, Lynch knocked over two ladders to take out four of her opponents and began to climb, but Liv began to ascend a smaller ladder next to her. Becky tipped that ladder as well, but Liv placed her foot on the top rope and miraculously pushed herself and the ladder back to an upright position. Seconds later, she kicked Becky to the canvas, climbed the rungs and retrieved the coveted prize, fighting back tears as she held the briefcase above her head on top of the ladder.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: United States Championship Match – Bobby Lashley def. Theory
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It being July 4th weekend no less, Theory and Lashley took each other to the limit with each strike and blow. Theory couldn’t even get out the gates, with The All Mighty lifting Theory for a huge Spinebuster right from the get go. Lashley continued to have the opening stages under control, using the ring post to his advantage and brutalizing Theory against the unforgiving post. Bobby Lashley showcases his impressive power with a reversal during his United States Championship Match against Theory at WWE Money in the Bank 2022. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. Theory eventually weathered the onslaught, locking in a headlock to quell the power of Lashley. Lashley fired back by delivering a superhuman powerslam. Theory took a page out of The All Mighty’s playbook by executing a stupendous Spear, but Lashley turned it around by slapping on the Hurt Lock and forcing the youngest U.S. Champion in WWE history to tap. Basking in the raucous applause of the WWE Universe and wearing the wounds of battle, The All Mighty captured the star-spangled title for the third time.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Raw Women’s Championship Match – Bianca Belair def. Carmella
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After Rhea Ripley was deemed unable to compete against Bianca Belair at WWE Money in the Bank, The Princess of Staten Island took advantage by winning a Fatal 5-Way to set up this championship bout. The EST of WWE took it to the former SmackDown Women’s Champion early, using her power to her advantage. Carmella turned it around with a painful submission hold, nearly making the Raw Women’s Champion tap. The Princess of Staten Island used her tactical acumen well, using Belair’s braids against her. The story of the match became Belair’s power and strength against Carmella’s cunning and smarts. Belair’s strength won out as she hit a bone-crunching K.O.D. onto Carmella and retained the Raw Women’s Championship. After the match, Carmella took umbrage with her loss, attacking Belair and leaving her laying in the ring to get the last laugh.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match – The Usos def. The Street Profits
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The Street Profits brought the smoke in the starting moments, as Angelo Dawkins hit a spinebuster on Jimmy Uso. The Profits taunted The Usos early, and Montez Ford gave an ode to D-Generation X. In dire straits, Ford nailed a suplex on Jey onto the hard ring apron and tagged in a fired-up Dawkins. Dawkins flew over the top rope onto The Usos and hit a Spinning Corkscrew Neckbreaker onto Jey. A massive Double Blockbuster from The Profits onto Jimmy Uso resulted in a frenzied WWE Universe, who couldn’t believe Jimmy had kicked out of such a ferocious move. Not to be outdone, Ford somehow kicked out of a Double Superkick. Montez Ford gave the WWE Universe a show and then some, hitting a glorious dive to the outside and a gob-smacking frog splash that only got a two. The Usos hit the 1-D on Ford, retaining their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, still “the ones.” After the match, Ford directed everyone’s attention to the replay, which showed that his shoulders were off the mat.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #5: SmackDown Women’s Champion Match – Ronda Rousey def. Natalya
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The Baddest Woman on the Planet and The B.O.A.T. started out the match each having a point to prove. The submission prowess of the rivals was on full display, both Superstars using joint manipulation and trying to wear down the other. Ronda Rousey picked apart Natalya with an Ankle Lock early, which sent The B.O.A.T. on a tirade against Pat McAfee and the cameraperson, telling each of them to “shut up.” Natalya fiercely worked back into the match, however, taking the time to trash talk her former friend. Rousey and Natalya then traded abdominal stretches, taking the wind out of each other. Rousey even cinched in a Sharpshooter, flexing her muscles while doing so and almost forcing the graduate from the Hart Dungeon to tap out to her own move. Unfortunately for Rousey, she injured her knee late in the contest, which severely limited her ability to hit the Piper’s Pit. A gutsy Rousey fought through the pain, slapping on a unique Armbar that forced Natalya to tap out.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #6: SmackDown Women’s Champion Match – Liv Morgan def. Ronda Rousey
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Liv Morgan, who won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match mere hours prior, surprised Rousey following the match, emerging to cash in her Money in the Bank contract as the WWE Universe came unglued. Morgan nearly had her dreams dashed as Rousey immediately locked in a desperation Ankle Lock, but Morgan flipped it around by delivering a kick to the leg and rolling up The Baddest Woman on the Planet to capture her first championship! After a tense few moments following the match, Rousey relinquished the championship to Liv, held her arm in the air and allowed the new titleholder to celebrate her incredible night with the roaring WWE Universe.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Theory def. Drew McIntyre, Madcap Moss, Omos, Riddle, Sami Zayn, Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Sheamus
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Before the match, Adam Pearce notified the competitors already in the ring that Theory would be the eighth participant in the high-stakes collision. Omos used his height advantage in the opening stages, clobbering Superstars left, right and center. His run ended with a sickening Claymore from Drew McIntyre, but The Nigerian Giant still did not go down. The other seven individuals used the weight of the ladders to bury the huge Superstar, hoping to dispel the gargantuan threat. McIntyre was the first to grasp the briefcase, but his arch nemesis Sheamus stopped him in his tracks, landing a White Noise on The Scottish Warrior. Riddle used some innovative offense of his own, hitting a draping DDT from the rungs of the ladder on Sheamus and a Floating Bro from the top of the ladder onto the hungry participants below. After Omos somehow escaped from his coffin of ladders, the rest of the field worked together to pick up The Nigerian Giant, hurl him through the air and send him crashing through the announce table to once again take him out of the match. The Scottish Superstar had the match won, but Sheamus’ protege Butch played spoiler, leaping onto McIntyre’s back and luring him into a Brogue Kick from Sheamus. Not to be outdone, Riddle emphasized his love for Randy Orton by executing a gigantic Super RKO on Seth “Freakin” Rollins from the top of a very tall ladder. The human demolition derby finally ended when Theory turned his night around, knocking Riddle off the ladder, nabbing the briefcase and becoming the youngest Money in the Bank winner in WWE history.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4/5
Well this was a huge improvement on what WWE puts out on a weekly basis. It really was. There were a few clear botches in a few of the matches but nothing that detracted from the overall show. Seeing the reaction to Liv Morgan getting both the MitB win AND the championship made the entire show worthwhile – even having to sit through Austin Theory’s obvious John Cena wannabe schtick! The Usos and Street Profit put on a fantastic tag match it’s just a shame that the match seems to be the end for the Street Profits as a tag team… As for the men’s MitB match, you’ve got to love that huge multi-man takedown of Omos, one of THE most fun spots of the show!
