WWE presented their 2024 edition of the Money in the Bank premium live event (PLE) from Toronto, Canada Saturday, July 6. The PLE saw chaotic collisions with ladders along with brutal beatdowns upon each WWE Superstar.
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match: Andrade El Idolo vs Carmelo Hayes vs Chad Gable vs Drew McIntyre vs Jey Uso vs LA Knight
The first match of the show was none other than the namesake of the PLE, the Money in the Bank ladder match. The winner of this match received a briefcase that can be used to cash in for a match for any championship title of their choice. Since it was a ladder match, it was not long before chaos ensued as Hayes and Andrade went at one another for most of the match. Andrade ended with the upper hand as he drove Hayes into a ladder with a sunset flip powerbomb. Hayes did not lack offense through this match however as he dove all over the place and showed out as the star of the match. Knight and Gable were in the mix throughout the match and attacked wherever it was possible as they tried their best to win. The end of the match saw Uso with the briefcase in hand as McIntyre launched a ladder at him and proceeded to hit his signature “Claymore Kick” to Uso. McIntyre then climbed the ladder and retrieved the briefcase as he became Mr. Money in the Bank. This was a good match that did not last too long and ended with an outcome that fueled the story of McIntyre’s redemption as he gained a title match whenever and wherever he wanted, and he promised to cash this in tonight.
Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker vs Sami Zayn (C)
The next match saw breakout star Breakker take on champion Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship in a back-and-forth match-up. Breakker had dominated against the roster in the weeks that led up, rewarding him with a title match at the event. Breakker used his speed, strength, and unmatched athleticism to outmatch the champion. In the end, a slip-up on Breakker’s end allowed Zayn to hit his signature “Helluva Kick” and secure a successful defense of his title. Breakker was seen visibly upset in the ringside area as Zayn celebrated in the ring. This was a fun match with a great pace that Zayn used to truly cement his reign.
John Cena announces his retirement
After two matches that had the crowd on their feet, the crowd exploded when Cena’s theme song hit. He made his way out and things felt different as his shirt and signature towel dawned the words “The Last Time is Now.” Cena grabbed a microphone and revealed that the year 2025 will be the last time he will ever wrestle. He said that he is past his prime and one last run is the only way to send him off. Later in the post-show press conference, he said that he planned to work the full calendar year from January to December 2025 before he officially retired. Cena has wrestled a match at least once a year since the year 2000, and the impact he has had on the sport has never gone unnoticed. A wrestler that many (myself included) have deemed the greatest of all time will forever be remembered in the sport.
World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs Damian Priest (C)
This match had raised stakes as it was about more than just the World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins and Priest made a gentlemen’s agreement that had major implications. If Rollins lost, he was never allowed to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship while Priest was still the champion. If Priest lost, he was forced to leave his group “The Judgment Day.” This fed into the energy of the match as each pin attempt felt like it was the most important one of the battle. Priest and Rollins gave it their all and were both down in the ring as McIntyre’s music hit and he walked to the ring with his Money in the Bank briefcase, ready to cash it in for a title opportunity.
World Heavyweight Championship: Drew McIntyre vs Seth Rollins vs Damian Priest (C)
As the bell rang again, McIntyre took charge as he had the most stamina compared to Rollins and Priest. McIntyre hit his “Claymore Kick” on Rollins as Priest hit him with a clothesline. McIntyre eventually got back to his feet and nailed his other signature move the “Future Shock DDT” and set himself up to win the match – except CM Punk took away that opportunity. Punk previously cost McIntyre a championship title at WrestleMania 40, a number one contender’s match, and a title match against Priest in McIntyre’s hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. McIntyre was so fed up with Punk that he decided to attack him in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. At Money in the Bank, history repeated itself for the fourth time as Punk pulled McIntyre out of the ring and beat him senseless with a chair. He proceeded to grab the title and drive it into McIntyre’s face. Priest took advantage of the situation as he hit his signature “South of Heaven” and snuck out with a win. The story of McIntyre and Punk is the best thing in WWE right now, with adding Rollins to the mix makes this a spectacular storyline. With SummerSlam in August, this is the story that will steal the entire show.
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match: Chelsea Green vs Iyo Sky vs Lyra Valkyria vs Naomi vs Tiffany Stratton vs Zoey Stark
The women’s Money in the Bank ladder match was the best match of the night. This match was fast-paced from the start with Green, attempting to climb the ladder and get over her fear of heights before the chaos ensued. Sky, who won this match at last year’s event, showcased dives that amazed the audience and brutal strikes that left her opponents dazed in the ring. She capped it all off with a spectacular piledriver onto a ladder that was balanced between another ladder and the ring ropes. Valkyria did the same and proved to everyone that she was just as calculated as anyone else in the match.
Naomi used this match to show off her athleticism as she was able to do some spectacular moves and use the ladders as an advantage. This match saw her stuck in the splits between two ladders that were pulled apart as she vaulted off into a DDT. Stark was able to use her creative offense in this match, particularly with the ladders. She made sure that any move she made was done with some implementation of the ladders.
Green and her character work allowed for several funny moments in the match and was just inches away from grabbing the Money in the Bank briefcase. Stratton and her gymnastics background allowed for a flurry of intriguing moves and dives throughout the match. Stratton ended it as she climbed the ladder next to Green and pushed it over which caused Green to fall twenty feet to the ground, landing through two tables. After this, Stratton unhooked the briefcase and became Ms. Money in the Bank. This match was nothing short of awesome and kept the audience hooked through it all. Stratton pulled off the win and put herself into the spotlight of WWE’s future.
The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Solo Sikoa) vs Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and Cody Rhodes
This match was a focal point of the show as we saw the newly self-anointed “Tribal Chief” Solo Sikoa lead his family into battle with the Undisputed WWE Champion Rhodes and friends. The Bloodline saw their fair share of dominance in this match as Fatu proved to be a true powerhouse. This was his first match since he debuted as he sided with Sikoa and destroyed Owens, Orton, and Rhodes. Tonga was able to get his fair share of hits but seemed to be the weak link of the group throughout the match.
Orton was the one who matched up with Tonga for the majority of the match as he was able to find his mark on several different occasions. While Orton is a seasoned veteran in the WWE, no one expected for Fatu to manhandle him. Fatu came in and brushed off almost every move that Orton attempted on him. Owens had the same issue as Orton through the match as it took three of his finishing moves to stun Fatu. Owens showed off his innovative offense and gave his all against The Bloodline but still fell short.
The fans were finally left with the clash of Rhodes and Sikoa. Rhodes eventually got the best of Sikoa as he looked to hit three of his signature move “Cross Rhodes” on him. Before Rhodes hit the third one, Fatu caused a distraction and took Rhodes down as Sikoa dropped Rhodes with his signature “Samoan Spike” to secure the win. Sikoa pinned the current WWE champion and secured a case for a future title match against Rhodes. This was a fun match that started out slow but got better as it went on. The story behind this match has only improved as it has gone on and the rivalry between Rhodes and The Bloodline is continuing to grow as both groups move forward.
This show felt like it was one of, if not, the best PLE of the year when you consider match quality, story value, and moments that are gained from it. It felt like there were so many stars that were born while solidifying the stars that have already been there. There is a load of potential opened because of Money in the Bank, and I am excited to see where it goes from here. WWE will host its next PLE with Summerslam Saturday, Aug. 3.
Dakotah Davidson is a fourth-year physical education major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
