The Shimmy 03.30.09: Money in the Bank Preview
Posted by Andy Clark on 03.30.2009
The Shimmy kicks off WrestleMania week with a look at the 2009 Money in the Bank Ladder Match! Who will win? Who will steal the show? Click the link to find out!
Happy WrestleMania week, boys and girls. I hope you have plans to enjoy the big show next weekend, but if you don't (or even if you do) keep it here at 411mania for all the latest. Don't forget to bookmark us for convenience. I'm fortunate enough to be travelling to Houston Friday morning so I'll be there in attendance but I hope everyone else enjoys their own WrestleMania festivities in their own special way.
One of the most anticipated matches every year is the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Who will steal the show? Who will almost kill themselves? And of course who will get the guaranteed title shot? Well, in the spirit of the kayfabe Royal Rumble preview column, I bring to you the 2009 Money in the Bank Ladder Match preview column. Enjoy!
CM Punk
Qualified Over: John Morrison & The Miz (Triple Threat Match)
WrestleMania Experience: 23, XXIV
Ladder Match Experience: Money in the Bank Match: vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Booker T vs. Finlay (WrestleMania 23); Money in the Bank Match: vs. Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito (WrestleMania XXIV)
Previous Championships: World Heavyweight Title, ECW Title, Intercontinental Title, ROH Title, ROH Tag Team Title (2), 2008 Mr. Money in the Bank
Analysis: CM Punk was the first man to qualify for this year's Money in the Bank Match and he brings to best record to the table hear. Not only did he win last year's contest but he also came dangerously close to winning it the year before as well. All of Punk's WrestleMania matches have been Money in the Banks so he knows how to perform under the bright lights. After having used his Money in the Bank opportunity to win the World Heavyweight Title all the pressure is off of him which is certainly to his benefit. I doubt anyone would expect him to repeat his performance last year which might allow Punk to sneak up on the other competitors. After having a historic 2008 one would imagine that Punk would like to take this opportunity to kick off a historic 2009. Perhaps the biggest obstacle facing Punk in this match is his tag team partner Kofi Kingston. Despite their friendship Kofi was quick to cut off Punk during the VIP Lounge last week on ECW, might the former tag champs be preoccupied with one another at WrestleMania?
Confidence Point: 4
Kane
Qualified Over: Rey Mysterio & Mike Knox (Triple Threat Match)
WrestleMania Experience: XIV, XV, 2000, X-Seven, X8, XIX (dark match), XX, 21, 22, 23, XXIV (dark match and main card)
Previous Championships: WWE Title, ECW Title, Intercontinental Title (2), World Tag Team Title (8), WCW Tag Team Title, Hardcore Title
Analysis: While Punk has Money in the Bank experience, Christian has ladder match experience, and Finlay has overall experience, Kane has WrestleMania experience. He has performed on the grandest stage of them all every year since 1998 and is coming off a big win last year when he won the ECW Title in record time. Since that ECW Championship win Kane has been an emotional mess, bouncing from feud to feud aimlessly just looking to hurt people. A Money in the Bank win would give the Big Red Machine focus and allow him to follow up last year's title win with an even bigger one if he so chose. Kane is going to be one of the two biggest men in this match, something he will clearly use to his advantage. The thing that makes Kane different than other big man Mark Henry (aside from big match experience) is that Kane is much more agile, allowing him climb the ladder with much more ease than most big men. Kane has all the tools necessary for winning this match, the question is whether or not he can remain focused throughout the match.
Analysis: Mark Henry will be the biggest competitor to ever compete in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match and he will also be the strongest. That size and strength will be both a blessing and a curse. While Henry's size advantage should allow him to dominate the smaller men in this match that added bulk will also prevent him from being able to ascend a ladder quickly. Henry's best strategy would be to completely destroy all seven other competitors before trying to make a break for it; he certainly won't catch anyone by surprise. The World's Strongest Man actually does have another advantage over his opponents: Tony Atlas. We've seen in the past where having someone interfere on your behalf in a Ladder Match can be enough to help you secure the win (men like Tyson Tomko and Rhyno spring to mind), perhaps Atlas will be able to do that for Henry. It may come down to a referees decision whether or not Atlas will be allowed to remain at ringside during such a chaotic match.
Confidence Point: 5
Shelton Benjamin
Qualified Over: Jeff Hardy
WrestleMania Experience: XIX, XX, 21, 22, XXIV
Ladder Match Experience: WWE Tag Team Title Match: w/ Charlie Haas vs. Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri (Judgment Day 2003); Money in the Bank Match: vs. Edge vs. Chris Benoit vs. Kane vs. Chris Jericho vs. Christian (WrestleMania 21); Money in the Bank Match: vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Ric Flair vs. Matt Hardy vs. Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley (WrestleMania 22); World Tag Team Title Match: w/ Charlie Haas vs. The Hardys (One Night Stand 2007); Money in the Bank Match: vs. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito (WrestleMania XXIV)
Previous Championships: Intercontinental Title (3), United States Title, WWE Tag Team Title (3)
Analysis: 3
Confidence Point: Shelton Benjamin has stolen the show in his three previous Money in the Bank appearances, taking incredible risks and performing death-defying stunts. Unfortunately for him none of those risks have paid off with a MITB win. These days Shelton is less of a crowd pleaser so perhaps that will play in his favor here. Shelton still takes his share of risks but he is much more calculated about it now which is a vast upgrade from his previous recklessness. Shelton is also going to be motivated by his recent loss of the United States Championship. The Gold Standard is currently without any gold and a Money in the Bank win would help solve that problem. After being the man that everyone talked about afterwards but never the man that got the spoils of victory is Shelton Benjamin due to become Mr. Money in the Bank?
MVP
Qualified Over: Matt Hardy
WrestleMania Experience: 23, XXIV
Ladder Match Experience: Money in the Bank Match: vs. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito (WrestleMania XXIV)
Previous Championships: United States Title (2), WWE Tag Team Title
Analysis: It's been a roller coaster ride for MVP these past few months. After enduring a 20-week losing streak on SmackDown the Ballin' Superstar has finally righted the ship and is back on the up and up. Not only has he found himself back in the win column more often than not but he's even reclaimed the United States Championship from Shelton Benjamin. Could a Money in the Bank victory be the next stop on his redemption tour? Keep in mind that last year before MVP's downward spiral began he came within a few inches of capturing the MITB briefcase only to be stopped by a returning Matt Hardy – the man he defeated to qualify for this year's match. MVP has all the momentum he could ask for the only thing he might want to be wary about is Shelton Benjamin; we've seen what he can do in these matches before and now he'll have revenge on his mind for losing the U.S. Title. If it doesn't look like Benjamin will win the match you can rest assured that he'll want to take MVP out of the running as well.
Confidence Point: 1
Kofi Kingston
Qualified Over: Chris Jericho
WrestleMania Experience: XXIV (dark match)
Ladder Match Experience: none
Previous Championships: Intercontinental Title, World Tag Team Title
Analysis: Kofi's brief appearance in the ECW No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal last year excluded, this is the Jamaican superstar's WrestleMania debut. In most of Kofi's inaugural ventures in the past he's done extremely well. ECW debut: win. First match for IC Title: win. First match for World Tag Team Titles: win. Kofi certainly has the spring in his step to make it to the top of the ladder to secure the MITB briefcase. Kofi may also be driven by anger this time around as he should still be seething over being cheated out of his World Heavyweight Title opportunity last month at No Way Out by Edge. We've seen a bit of that anger already in the aforementioned VIP Lounge segment where he cut down his own tag team partner on the mic. We've talked before about CM Punk's magic 12 months, but should Kofi be able to win the Money in the Bank contract he'd be well on his way to having a magical year of his own.
Confidence Point: 7
Christian
Qualified Over: Chavo Guerrero, R-Truth, Carlito, Primo, The Great Khali, Vladimir Kozlov, Tommy Dreamer, William Regal, Shad Gaspard, JTG, Dolph Ziggler, Goldust, Ricky Ortiz, Kung Fu Naki, Jimmy Wang Yang, and Charlie Haas (Battle Royal)
Previous Championships: NWA World Heavyweight Title (2), Intercontinental Title (3), World Tag Team Title (9), European Title, Hardcore Title, Light Heavyweight Title
Analysis: You can see by that very large chunk of writing what exactly Christian has over everybody else in this match: ladder match experience. By my count Christian has been in 15 ladder matches, significantly more than anyone else in this match. In fact during his run in TNA he became the ladder match guy for that promotion. While he probably does not have that distinction in WWE thanks to guys like Edge and Jeff Hardy, his history with ladders still can't be denied. One would think that Christian returned to WWE to make an impact and while his short-lived feud with Jack Swagger over the ECW Title was nice it was hardly the impact you'd imagine he wanted to make. Winning Money in the Bank would definitely make that impact though. Even though Christian has paid lip service to ECW in the past the real money is on one of the other two programs and a run at one of those two championships is what every wrestler dreams up. The Instant Classic should be no different.
Confidence Point: 2
Finlay
Qualified Over: The Brian Kendrick
WrestleMania Experience: 22, 23, 24
Ladder Match Experience: Money in the Bank Match: vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Ric Flair vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Matt Hardy (WrestleMania 22); Money in the Bank Match: vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. CM Punk vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Booker T (WrestleMania 23)
Previous Championships: United States Title, WCW Television Title
Analysis: Finlay is entering his third Money in the Bank Ladder Match and for all we know it could be his last. Retirement has to be creeping into the mind of the Irishman and after all these years he has still yet to win a World Title. Finaly certainly has the physicality and the ring presence to get the job done but being the oldest competitor in this match might have its drawbacks; Finlay just isn't as fast or as limber as most of the other wrestlers he's facing. Finlay also has his son Hornswoggle to worry about. We saw back at WrestleMania 23 that Hornswoggle's involvement in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match didn't end up so well for the little guy, as Mr. Kennedy delivered the Green Bay Plunge to him off of a ladder. In recent months we have seen Hornswoggle's interference both help Finlay to win matches as well as backfire. In a match as chaotic as the MITB Ladder Match you'd have to think that Finlay would not want his son to get involved…and also for his son not to listen. This might be Finlay's last chance at a World Title, the question is whether or not he can overcome the challenges of age and parenthood in order to win.
Confidence Point: 8
The Shimmy Likes it Raw!
What's on tap for the last Raw before WrestleMania?
John Cena vs. Big Show; We've seen the other parts of the WrestleMania Triple Threat face off so it makes sense that we see this one as well. This also serves as a WrestleMania Rewind match as these two faced off for the United States Title five years ago at the big dance.
Chris Jericho vs. Jerry "The King" Lawler; This is the second year in a row that Lawler has been involved in a storyline at WrestleMania time but not a WrestleMania match. Might the King find a way to get into the WrestleMania Handicap Match? And what will Ric Flair have to say about last week's brutal beatdown?
Well that does it for this week's column. No column next week as I'll be in Houston for the big show, but I look forward to sharing my stories with you in two weeks. Until then, don't die. Clark…out.
Christian will win despite all the false rumors of Vince 'not high on him'. Who remembers last year's MITB winner? Mr. CM Punk, who was in the supposed doghouse all year prior. Yeah nice rumor there about the future World Champ. Remember who won 2006's version of MITB? Yeah, future World Champ RVD, who was said to be in the 'forever doghouse', yet he won. Vince and Co. know the fans want Christian to win, and he will book him to win and switch shows. Don't believe the rumors. Christian = future World Champion.
Posted By: Watry... (Guest) on March 29, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Shelton Benjamin has been in three MitB matches, the guy needs to win this one or nobody will buy the Gold Standard as a threat.
Imagine The Gold Standard Shelton Benjamin coming down to the ring with the MitB briefcase spray painted GOLD!
That would be the epitome of awesomeness.
Then he could seroiusly get inside the head of the champ whoever they will be *cough* Cena and HHH *cough* and just terrorize them and when the time is right STRIKE and win the big one for the first time.
Posted By: The new ECW Alternate Recapper (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 12:47 AM
I could also use the logic of "the Whole IWC is claiming Captain Charisma is gonna win it so it WONT be him in the end".
Till Shelton and M.V.P are switching the US Title back (again what's the point of this US Title rematch THE NIGHT of the show ?), my money is right now on The Gold Standard.
It's time to pull the trigger on Shelty and the time is NOW.
He is as more ready as ever to get the ball and running with it as far as possible.
Just give him the damn briefcase after putting his body on the line for years now.
Shelton Benjamin IS The real Mr M.I.T.B and has to go over April 5th
BANK ON IT !
Posted By: Mr Money In The Bank (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 01:00 AM
I think we can all agree that Kane, Finlay, Kofi Kingston and Mark Henry don't have a chance in hell of winning, yes?
I like Shelton. I really do. But he's not going to win. He's in the same position now that he's been in for years. He can hold a midcard title for a long time and put on great matches but until he develops a true personality (which he is getting better at) he just doesn't have a shot.
Punk could win but since he did last year there's no real reason for him to win again. He can challenge for the World title whenever he wants to. MitB would be wasted on him.
It has to be MVP or Christian.
People are discounting MVP now because he just won the U.S. title. But remember, Edge held onto the briefcase for 10 months and potentially it can be held for 12 months. MVP can have a nice, long U.S. title reign and keep the briefcase in his back pocket for a loooong time.
All I know for sure is that either MVP or Christian will win. They're two of my absolute favorite wrestlers so no matter who wins it's all aces for me.
Posted By: Ron Mexico (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 03:02 AM
EVERYONE is looking past kofi kingston.
who did edge ambush literally right before he entered the elimination chamber?
it would be poetic justice if he won and cashed it in on edge.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 08:38 AM
I would like to shelton finally win but, it WILL be MVP. Christian will move to Raw or Smackdown and work his way to the title.
Posted By: a fan (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM
If i was a betting man i would go with Christian.
Posted By: jbardo (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Nice article, Andy. One minor point, I had no idea what the confidence points meant until I got to the end of the article.
For my money, MVP wins this year, although I'd be happy enough with Shelton or Christian.
Posted By: Avindian (Registered) on March 30, 2009 at 11:26 AM
"EVERYONE is looking past kofi kingston.
who did edge ambush literally right before he entered the elimination chamber?
it would be poetic justice if he won and cashed it in on edge."
It would also be terrible business considering he just got dominated by Edge on Smackdown. The only people who have a chance of winning is Christian, MVP and Shelton, so let's have a look at that:
Christian would be awesome, but I don't think he'll be leaving ECW for awhile yet. Then again, he might just win and challenge someone on Raw or Smackdown after holding onto the case for a bit. There is money in so many Christian fueds.
MVP has got to be the favourite to win it - the company is high on him, he's on a big roll, paid his dues, and now he's the US champ. Plus, he's fresh. It could be the chance MVP has been waiting for.
Finally, there's Shelton. I love Shelton, and he's one of the finest and most athletic performers I've ever seen in the ring. Unfortunately, he's also been in the midcard for eternity, and still hasn't developed much of a personality or streak about him. That said, if the E get behind him, he could be a major player with the briefcase over the next year.
At any rate, Benjamin will do something crazy again this year, and my respect for him will only go up more regardless.
Posted By: Banz (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 11:29 AM
It's just, as hot as Kane and Henry are, I don't think those two stallions will be winning. Personally, I would have had Jeff Hardy in the match, have him win, and cash it in later in the night. I love Jeff Hardy's body right now and he's at the top of his game. But I'm happy with MVP, he has that tough guy attitude since he went to jail and I'm sure he's a monster in the sack. I also like blondes so Christian is aces as well.
Posted By: Ron Mexico (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 11:49 AM
i agree that too many people are sleeping on Kofi. one thing to consider is that the MITB winner doesn't have to win the title; they just get the shot. a guy like Kofi would benefit from the rub a Jeff Hardy-like near miss at winning the title would provide.
Posted By: jojo (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 03:14 PM
It's just, as hot as Kane and Henry are, I don't think those two stallions will be winning. Personally, I would have had Jeff Hardy in the match, have him win, and cash it in later in the night. I love Jeff Hardy's body right now and he's at the top of his game. But I'm happy with MVP, he has that tough guy attitude since he went to jail and I'm sure he's a monster in the sack. I also like blondes so Christian is aces as well.
Posted By: Ron Mexico (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 11:49 AM
---
You might want to wait for an article where I haven't already posted so your routine isn't so obvious.
I'm flattered that someone around here wants to make themselves feel good by pretending to be me. I must be important. :)
Posted By: Ron Mexico (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 04:17 PM
Mexico, we all know that's really you, don't hide it. As for the match: MVP FTW.
Posted By: Foolio (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 07:59 PM
i agree that too many people are sleeping on Kofi. one thing to consider is that the MITB winner doesn't have to win the title; they just get the shot. a guy like Kofi would benefit from the rub a Jeff Hardy-like near miss at winning the title would provide.
Posted By: jojo (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 03:14 PM
In that case, it should definitely go to Shelton: unlike Kofi, he's been around for a while now, and carrying the briefcase would be a good lithmus test to see whether he's picked up enough experience in that time to know how to carry himself in a real big-time feud. Kofi's simply got more time and potential than actual ability right now and can wait a couple more years to develop and mature into a credible midcarder (right now he seems to be a tenuous midcarder at best). Only then should he be even considered. Otherwise the sudden push will seem all Calrito-like, done far too soon.
Posted By: B.W.G. (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 08:04 PM
It's just, as hot as Kane and Henry are, I don't think those two stallions will be winning. Personally, I would have had Jeff Hardy in the match, have him win, and cash it in later in the night. I love Jeff Hardy's body right now and he's at the top of his game. But I'm happy with MVP, he has that tough guy attitude since he went to jail and I'm sure he's a monster in the sack. I also like blondes so Christian is aces as well.
Posted By: Ron Mexico (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Posted By: csonkamaniac (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 08:09 PM
MVP will win it, thus completing his comeback from almost obscurity! I like the comment about Benjamin having the briefcase spray painted with gold, but I could imagine MVP putting bling all over it.
Besides, Christian doesn't need it, and I hope that they will build up MVP to cash it in at a major PPV like Summerslam or even next year's Wrestlemania.
Posted By: Ryder (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 08:46 PM
Christian will win to get him OFF ECW and onto smackdown. later on though.
Posted By: Kevin Jordan (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 11:28 PM
I think MVP will win this years MITB because wwe punished him last year with that losing streak for misbehaving backstage and mvp still stayed and didnt quit wwe. so i think mvp is the favourite to win. if not then it should be either shelton, kane or christian the rest have no chance of winning.
Posted By: mrperfect-rip (Guest) on March 31, 2009 at 06:19 AM
Honestly... I can see any one of these guys winning except for Henry...
Posted By: Blackbird 13 (Guest) on March 31, 2009 at 07:17 PM
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