It’s time for one of WWE’s hard hitting PPVs. Bodies are usually broken, careers change, and a good dose of swerving. Titles change hands, controversial arrival, and an instant WWE match of the year was on display. Let’s dive in to Money In The Bank from Hartford, Connecticut.

Pre Show match. Women’s MITB match. United States Champion match.

The Usos vs Daniel Bryan/Rowan. The Usos win via Double Uce Splash pin fall.

This match up easily can end up on any WWE ppv card, however this time it is used a warm up and not for the titles.  It was a nice to see the super stars use moves that we are not familiar seeing them do. Like Jimmy Uso hitting a Jeff Hardy Whisper In The Wind and Rowan hitting a Goldberg Jack Hammer. Eventually, the Usos get Rowan outside and have Daniel Bryan take the Double Uce Splash for the win.

Women’s MITB match. Bayley/Dana Brooke/Ember Moon/Mandy Rose/Nikki Cross/Natalya/Carmella. Bayley secures MITB briefcase.

The Women’s MITB matches get better and better. This had great pacing, story telling, some botches, and nice spots. The match starts off as a brawl with Nikki Cross grabbing a ladder and taking out Natalya, Bayley, Naomi, and Rose at once. The Crazed Cross then swings the ladder like a helicopter, dropping super stars in her path. Dana Brooke eventually ends the swinging terror. Naomi takes charge and gets creative, hitting a splits two avoid a ladder sandwich attack.

Later on, Carmella tweaks her knee and has to leave the match. Naomi is now on top of the ladder, Nikki hits a spear on Natalya from under the ladder. Ember Moon frabs Naomi from the ladder and hits her version of a Code Breaker on Naomi. Dana pushes a ladder on Cross and reaches for the briefcase. Rose challenges her on top of the ladder and sends Brooke swinging and dangling from the case. Dana regains her composure just in time for Natalya to push over the loaded ladder. Ember Moon hits a fantastic Eclipse… get this, from on top of a ladder outside, on to Natalya who was in the ring.

Here were the pace, twists pick up, and the ending begin. Rose quickly takes out Moon with a Bed of Roses on to a ladder. The injured Carmella returns and takes out Rose. Carmella climbs the ladder as the crowd groans, but Sonya DeVille pulls her off and hits a spear so hard it knocked out one of Sonya’s hair extensions. DeVille then puts Rose on to her shoulder and climbs the ladder. Bayley races up to meet them at the top, pushes them off and secures the briefcase.

Rey Mysterio vs Samoa Joe for the US championship. Rey wins via roll up pin fall.

This was a weird angle. The match shorter than the promo for it. Joe busts his nose early on and then goes for a Powerbomb on Rey. The Lucha legend then rolls up Joe for a pin fall, but Joe’s shoulder was up. The ref ut of view just kept counting. Afterwards Dominic comes out to celebrate with his father, but Joe comes back to decimate Rey in front of his son. Sooo there’s that.

Best in the world is slippery one. 205 Live match on main card! Leading up to men’s MITB.

Shane McMahon vs The Miz in a Steel Cage Match. Shane escapes the cage via sweat, seriously.

I’m not knocking this match as bad as others. It was a fun match, albeit with a weird ending. As soon as the bell rings, Shane runs at fastest speed to get the hell out of there. The A-Lister catches him and unloads on Shane with all his frustration. Shane gets some offense in and even attempts a Coast To Coast, but Miz counters with a Figure Four. Shane gets a short break and the Miz goes back to work. Miz beats down Shane throughout the match, starting with a steel chair. The crowd is behind this, Miz then hits a Shane with a Skull Crushing Finale on the chair. The ref counts to two, with Shane getting his foot on the rope to break the count. The problem is, that the commentators spent most of the match stating things like this can’t happen. The home audience knows it, the commentators know it, the crowd knows it, EVERYONE BUT THE REF!

As the audience boos, Miz tosses Shane from the top of the cage and hits a big Frog Splash. This time Shane kicks out (no rope break). Shane goes to escape one more time and Miz catches again. With a call back to their WrestleMania match, Miz attempts to Superplex Shane back in the cage. However, the best in the world is probably the slipperiest and Shane slips through his shirt falling to the floor and wins.

Tony Nese vs Ariya Daivari for the Cruiserweight Championship. Nese wins via Nese Knees pin fall.

Another head scratcher, not by the in ring work from these two talented super stars, but from the place on the card. This was originally a pre show match, now it’s on the main card. But this division really needs a bigger audience, so here it is. The match was fast paced as usual, both men put on a good match to people who went on a break. Nese lands beautiful Corkscrew over the turnbuckles and an amazing 450. Daivari answers back with a big Frog Splash and Hammerlock Lariat. But it was the Nese Knees that finally puts away Daivari and Nese retains his title.

The Story so far…

Let’s just condense the story that was sprawled out over the PPV. Sami Zayn asks HHH to ban Braun Strowman, as he can’t even concentrate, HHH agrees and tells Sami that Braun is banned. Next we see Braun of course, destroying objects. Sami attempts to hide from Braun, but Braun finds him. The Monster takes out Sami and strings him up like he was a Predator. HHH goes to Braun not to kick him out, not to arrest him, but to politely ask him to ;eave as a professional. The Monster agrees… WHAT?!

Double Champ pulls double duty.

 Becky Lynch vs Lacey Evans for Raw Women’s Championship. Becky wins via Dis-Arm-Her submission.

The first of two titles defenses for Becky Two Belts starts with Becky ahead of Lacey with fire power. With the crowd behind her, Becky just unloads on Lacey. Holder of the Women’s Right, finally gets in some short lived offense, Becky hits a Beck-Sploader and Dis-Arm-Her. But Evans grabs the rope (legal this time) and breaks the hold. Here were it gets weird again, Lacey rolls up Lynch, Becky’s shoulder are down for a three count, but the ref refuses to count. This allows, Lynch to lock in a final Dis-Arm-Her for the win. As Becky walks up the ramp Charlotte Flairs music hits. Becky thinking that she will get a breather in between match, must go at it with a fresh Flair.

Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch for Smackdown Live’s Women’s Championship. Charlotte Flair wins via Big Boot pin fall.

The Queen being cocky holds the ropes open for her. A begrudgingly Lynch accepts, but kicks Flairs robe off the apron first. The fresh and more powerful Flair works over the tired Lynch, Becky finally gets some shots in and attempts a Dis-Arm-Her. Flair escapes, and the fight in is on the apron now. Charlotte goes for the Natural Selection on the edge of the ring, but Becky holds on the ropes and Flair falls to the floor. The ref starts to count out Flair, but even more exhausted gets sucker punch by Lacey Evans Women’s Right. Charlotte gets back in and goes for a slam, Becky counters with a roll up and a near fall. Charlotte gets up lands a Big Boot for the pin fall. Yes, a Big Boot… not even a finisher.

But wait… there’s more.

Charlotte gloats in the ring, teasing Becky for having tears in her eyes. Lynch fires up and goes after the one that cost her the match, Evans. However, the duo of Evans and Flair is too much for Lynch and the beat her down. Then Bayley, the Women’s MITB winner goes in to save her old friend. Bayley unloads on Evans and goes after Flair. The Queen knocks back Bayley and turns her attention again to Lynch. Bayley gets back in, slams Flairs head on the second turnbuckle and ponders. Bayley wants to cash in her briefcase, but not this way, she wants a fair match. That lasted for about 10 seconds, Bayley says screw it and cashes in. The Hugger hits a Macho Man-esque Elbow Drop and pins the Queen. Allowing Bayley to make history again, becoming the first Women’s WWE Grandslam Champion. Bayley has now won the Women’s Raw title, The WWE Women’s Tag Team title, and the Women’s Smackdown Live Champion. Great booking.

Two squash matches, two classic matches.

Squash number one. Roman Reigns vs Elias, sort of. Roman wins via Spear pin fall.

Before the Elias concert, The Drifter ambushes Reigns backstage by smashing a guitar on his back. Elias now grants a concert, with a new guitar in tow. After belittling the town, The Drifter walks up the ramp only to receive a Superman Punch by Reigns. Elias rolls back to the ring and gets hit by Roman’s Spear for the three count. Didn’t like to see this happen to Elias, but the crowd needed a breather after what happened beforehand.

WWE Match Of The Year Contender. Seth Rollins vs AJ Styles for the Raw Universal Championship. Seth Rollins wins via Curb Stomp pin fall.

Wow… what a match! It was such a great match, that it something be witnessed, not read about. However, I will attempt to write about it. The two best wrestlers in WWE go at it, taking their time and feeling each other out. Seth, finally takes charge with urgency, knowing he must attack Styles quickly and fiercely. Rollins hits multiple Suicide Dives on AJ, and Styles returns the favor with Phenomenal Forearm and neck breaker counters. What transpired what just an instant classic of two wrestlers providing an awesome in ring story and gasps.

The beginning of the end started with Rollins hitting a Reverse Superplex to Reverse Falcon’s Arrow combo for a near fall. Seth goes for Curb Stomp #1, but AJ counters it with a Calf Crusher. Rollins rolls out of the hold, avoids a Pele’ Kick, and goes for Curb Stomp #2. Styles pops up and counters with a Styles Clash, this is madness! Seth somehow kicks out from the Clash, and AJ goes for a Phenomenal Forearm. Rollins blocks the move, hits a Ripcord Knee, a Super Kick on a kneeling AJ, and Curb Stomp #3. This time it sticks and Rollins retains the title. After the match, AJ Styles gets back in the ring and stares down Rollins. Styles then offers his hand in respect, Rollins accepts and the two acknowledges each other as the two top stars. Wow… again.

Second squash. I think..

Lucha House Party comes out to I guess party, because they tried to talk but their music kept playing. Then Lars Sullivan arrives to destroy them. There is two awkward things that happen. One, Lars somehow busted his head open and is bloody while destroying the House Party. Two, with all the comments that Lars made years ago (they are on the internet), WWE decided it was ok for Lars to destroy three minorities at a PPV. Um, WWE… did you think this through?

Another classic match, just bad spot on card.

Kofi Kingston vs Kevin Owens For Smackdown Live’s Heavyweight Championship. Kofi wins via barefooted Trouble In Paradise pin fall.

This was a great match again, some may say it was just good. However, if this match was on before the Seth vs AJ match, I wager people would have ranked it higher.

Before the match Kofi tells Xavier to stay behind, this is his match and want to win alone. His New Day brother agrees. Weeks of frustration from Kofi is shown, as was very aggressive in the match. Kofi was even dealing out headbutts, when has he ever done that? Owens being a veteran like Kofi, finally regains control hitting a Senton and a Frog Splash on Kofi outside the ring. Kofi’s undying effort allows him to fight back and hit a Double Stomp on KO on the apron. Kofi then goes for his Trust Fall, but sees Owens is out of position. Kingston turns in mid air and gets hit with a Super Kick.

Both men in ring now and Kofi hits the SOS for a near fall and attempts a Trouble In Paradise, but Owens counters with a Boston Crab. Kingston almost taps out but breaks free. KO now hits a Pop-Up Powerbomb for a two count. Owens brings out his KO Stunner, but Kofi counters with a Trouble In Paradise, and KO falls out of the ring.

Kofi could have won the match with a count out, but he wants to beat Owens the right way and prove that he is an A+ player. Kingston rolls Owens back in to the ring and Kevin hits his KO Stunner. Kingston grabs the ropes to break the count (legal again this time). This frustrates Owens to no end and the crowd is dead, most likely due to its placement on the card. The savvy Owens gets the crowd by yelling at them and gets them back in the fight. Kevin rips off Kofi’s boot in a fit of rage, this will be undoing. As Owens attempts a Somersault Senton, Kofi raises his knees. Kofi hits a staggering Owens his a barefooted Trouble In Paradise for the pin fall. Great match again, poor placement.

Controversial Ending for the Men’s MITB

Finn Balor/Baron Corbin/Ricochet/Drew McIntyre/Ali/Randy Orton/Andrade/ and ??

Ricochet quickly starts the match of carnage with a flying dive and taking out most of the fighters. Randy Orton then uses his knowledge and experience to take out Ricochet and Balor with his Powerslam. The bad guys are in control, Drew and Corbin teaming up, while looking over their shoulder on the impending back stab. The spots in the match were crazy and you have to worry about the health of these stars after the match.

Ali and Ricochet were tossed around like rag dolls between propped up ladders. Shortly, Finn Balor is the first to attempt the secure the case. Adrande meets him at the top and hits an INSANE spot. The two fought, but Andrade hits Balor with a Sunset Flip Powerbomb. On top of a ladder that was propped in between the they were on and the ropes, the shear force sent Balor up in the air again and he lands awkwardly. The crowd went nuts and somehow the match picks up the pace.

Ali gives Andrade a wake up call in form of a Spanish Fly of a ladder. What happens next are spots happening at ludicrous speed. Corbin and Drew work together again, with Baron sending Ali through the Spanish announcer’s table. Finally, Baron stabs McIntyre in the back and throws him in to the crowd. Baron then Chokeslams Balor on the unforgiving side of a ladder. Balor outside catches Ricochet’s dive and hits an impressive Deep Six outside.

Drew now in control and suplexes Finn and Alabama Slams Andrade on top of him, who did Finn make angry? Ricochet attempts to end Drew’s reign of terror but is slung outside, snapping a ladder in half.

That ending…

Drew is on top of the ladder, Randy runs in to pull him off with the almighty RKO. Baron seizes his opportunity by taking out Orton. The Lone Wolf climbs the ladder, but Ali jumps on his back and takes Corbin outside. All alone among broken bodies and spirits, Ali is left to climb the ladder and secure the case. Then this happened… Brock Lesnar’s music hits. The Beast runs down with Paul Heyman flopping behind him. Lesnar quickly takes out Ali and secures the case. Becoming the newest Men’s MITB winner. What the?!?!

That ending part two.

The crowd is in shock, the home audience is shock, all watching Brock Lesnar sitting on top the ladder laughing at us all. The shock is not a good shock, as the fans are now left to wonder what will become of this. Will Lesnar win another title and hold it hostage? Also, how fair is it to the guys in the ring that put on a beautiful, chaotic performance, that held the crowd in their palms only to have a guy who didn’t even wrestle win? Brock didn’t even take one shot, just pushed a ladder, climbed it, and won. Does Vince realize that we are tired of this happening? Will this lower the moral backstage that is rumored at all time low? Can the new competition capitalize on the same booking WWE refuses to change, even they say they will? Only time will tell. However, in the meantime this how on what could went as a fantastic WWE ppv and turning point, ended in shock.