Money in the Bank | |||
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![]() Promotional poster featuring Bianca Belair | |||
Promotion | WWE | ||
Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown | ||
Date | July 18, 2021 | ||
City | Fort Worth, Texas | ||
Venue | Dickies Arena | ||
WWE Network event chronology | |||
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Money in the Bank chronology | |||
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Money in the Bank was a professional wrestling pay-per-view and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. It took place on July 18, 2021, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. It was the 12th event in the Money in the Bank chronology and the first to take place in the state of Texas.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE had presented their shows for Raw and SmackDown from a bio-secure bubble called the WWE ThunderDome since August 2020, with the exception of WrestleMania 37 in April 2021, which was the company's first major event to have live ticketed fans since the pandemic began in mid-March 2020. With the decline of cases and the development of vaccines, WWE announced that they would be leaving the ThunderDome and returning to a live touring schedule in mid-July 2021 with Money in the Bank being the first pay-per-view on this initial 25-city tour. This was the WWE's first pay-per-view held outside of the state of Florida since Elimination Chamber in March 2020.
Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Roman Reigns defeated Edge to retain the Universal Championship. In other prominent matches, Nikki A.S.H. won the women's Money in the Bank ladder match in the opening bout, Big E won the men's Money in the Bank ladder match, Bobby Lashley defeated Kofi Kingston by submission to retain the WWE Championship and Charlotte Flair defeated Rhea Ripley by submission to win her record-tying fifth Raw Women's Championship and 13th overall singles championship in the women's division. The event also saw the surprise return of John Cena, appearing for the first time since WrestleMania 36 in April 2020.
Money in the Bank is an annual gimmick pay-per-view (PPV) and WWE Network event produced by WWE since 2010, generally held between May and July. The concept of the show comes from WWE's established Money in the Bank ladder match, in which multiple wrestlers use ladders to retrieve a briefcase hanging above the ring. The briefcase contains a contract that guarantees the winner a match for a world championship of their choosing at any time within the next year.[1] The 2021 event featured wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands; male wrestlers competed for a contract to grant them a match for either Raw's WWE Championship or SmackDown's Universal Championship, while female wrestlers competed for a Raw Women's Championship or SmackDown Women's Championship match contract. While the previous year's event had featured a "Corporate Ladder" gimmick, which took place at WWE's Titan Towers headquarters and had only six competitors in each match due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[2] the 2021 event reverted to the standard version of the titular ladder match as well as returning to having eight competitors for both matches, evenly divided between the two brands.[3] It was the 12th event in the Money in the Bank chronology and the first to be held in July since the 2013 event.[4]
The 2021 event was initially scheduled for May 16, however, it switched dates with WrestleMania Backlash and was to take place on June 20 until Hell in a Cell was announced for that date with Money in the Bank pushed back to July 18, which had originally been reported as the date for Extreme Rules. It was also reported that Money in the Bank would be held with live ticketed fans in attendance.[4] Since August 2020, WWE had presented Raw and SmackDown's shows from a bio-secure bubble called the WWE ThunderDome due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With cases declining and vaccines available to most American citizens, the company announced that they would be leaving the ThunderDome and returning to live touring, starting with a 25-city tour beginning with the July 16, 2021, episode of SmackDown in Houston, Texas. Money in the Bank was in turn announced to take place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on July 18, thus it was the first WWE pay-per-view held outside of Florida since Elimination Chamber on March 8, 2020, and the first pay-per-view held following the end of the ThunderDome Era.[5][6][7][8]
The show comprised seven matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The matches resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,[9][10] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.[11]
Qualifying matches for the men's Money in the Bank ladder match began on the June 21 episode of Raw. Ricochet, John Morrison, and Riddle qualified by defeating AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre, respectively.[3] Raw's final spot was determined in a triple threat match the following week, which was originally scheduled to be between Styles, Orton, and McIntyre; however, Orton was unable to compete for unknown reasons. A battle royal was held to fill Orton's spot in the triple threat match. Orton's RKBro tag team partner Riddle convinced WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville to allow him to compete in the battle royal where if he won, he would represent Orton in the triple threat match. Although Riddle won the battle royal, McIntyre won the triple threat match to earn Raw's final spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match.[12] SmackDown's first spot was filled by Big E, who qualified by defeating Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews on the June 25 episode of SmackDown.[13] The following week, Kevin Owens qualified by defeating Sami Zayn in a Last Man Standing match, which was a rematch from Hell in a Cell that Zayn had won.[14] SmackDown's last two spots were filled on the July 9 episode: Seth Rollins defeated Cesaro, which was another rematch from Hell in a Cell that Rollins had also won, and King Nakamura defeated Baron Corbin, previously King Corbin before he lost his King of the Ring crown to Shinsuke Nakamura, who took on the king moniker.[15]
Qualifying matches for the women's Money in the Bank ladder match also began on the June 21 episode of Raw. The brand's four participants were determined by two tag team matches in which the members of the winning teams qualified. Asuka and Naomi qualified by defeating the team of Eva Marie and Doudrop (formerly Piper Niven in NXT UK) and later, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, the latter incorporating a superhero gimmick and a new nickname of Nikki A.S.H. (short for Almost a Super Hero), qualified by defeating the team of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.[3] On the June 25 episode of SmackDown, WWE official Sonya Deville named two-time Money in the Bank winner Carmella as the first of SmackDown's four participants. Liv Morgan, who had been feuding with Carmella and defeated her the previous week, took issue as Carmella did not compete in a qualifier match to earn her spot. Deville then had Morgan face Carmella to prove she deserved to be in the match and Morgan subsequently defeated Carmella; however, Deville did not add her to the ladder match.[13] The following week, Deville named Zelina Vega, who made her return to WWE after her release in November 2020, as the second SmackDown entrant in the match. Morgan again confronted Deville about Vega not having to qualify. She also pointed out the fact that she proved herself by defeating Carmella and was not added, but would prove herself again in a match against Vega. Morgan subsequently defeated Vega, but was still not added.[14] On the July 9 episode, Carmella was removed from the match as she was named as Bayley's replacement in the SmackDown Women's Championship match against Bianca Belair due to Bayley suffering an injury. Morgan once again confronted Deville about her giving Carmella an opportunity despite not earning one; although annoyed at Morgan's interruption, Deville named Morgan as Carmella's replacement in the Money in the Bank ladder match.[15] WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina were announced as SmackDown's last two participants on July 12 and July 15, respectively, via Twitter.[16][17]
On the June 21 episode of Raw, as WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and his manager MVP were celebrating Lashley's win over Drew McIntyre at Hell in a Cell the previous night, they were interrupted by The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods). Kingston reminded Lashley that he had defeated him in a non-title match on the May 17 episode of Raw and that he had also never received a rematch for the title after he lost the championship at SmackDown's 20th Anniversary in October 2019. Kingston then challenged Lashley for the title. Lashley accepted and the match was scheduled for Money in the Bank.[3]
At Hell in a Cell, Charlotte Flair defeated Raw Women's Champion Rhea Ripley by disqualification after Ripley attacked Flair with the top cover of the announce table; however, since titles do not change hands via disqualification unless stipulated, Flair did not win the title.[18] The following night on Raw, Flair claimed she was "proud" of Ripley and told Ripley that she had never seen her as a "strategic champion". WWE official Sonya Deville then scheduled a rematch between the two for the title at Money in the Bank.[3]
At WrestleMania 37 in April, Roman Reigns defeated Edge and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match to retain the Universal Championship.[19] On the June 25 episode of SmackDown, Reigns and his special counsel Paul Heyman had a Universal Championship address. Heyman stated that Reigns had defeated all of SmackDown's top contenders and that there was no one left to challenge Reigns. Edge then made a surprise return after a two-month hiatus and attacked Reigns and also took out Jimmy Uso, who had come to Reigns' aid.[13] On Talking Smack the next day, it was revealed that Edge had confronted WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville and demanded a one-on-one match against Reigns for the title at Money in the Bank, which he was originally supposed to have at WrestleMania before Bryan worked his way into the match. Pearce then granted him the match.[20] The following week, Edge explained that the loss at WrestleMania affected him mentally, which is why he had taken the past two months off.[14]
At Hell in a Cell, Bianca Belair defeated Bayley in a Hell in a Cell match to retain the SmackDown Women's Championship.[18] On the following episode of SmackDown, both were involved in a mixed tag team match in which Bayley pinned Belair.[13] The following week, Bayley claimed that Belair's Hell in a Cell victory was a fluke, citing her own victory over Belair in the mixed tag team match. Belair then came out and challenged Bayley to an "I quit" match with the title on the line at Money in the Bank and Bayley accepted.[14] On July 9, however, WWE announced that Bayley suffered a legitimate injury while training that would sideline her for up to nine months; this was followed by an announcement that a replacement for Bayley would be revealed on that night's SmackDown.[21][22] Carmella was revealed as the replacement and the match was changed to a regular singles match that would instead occur on the July 16 episode of SmackDown,[15] where Belair retained.[23]
Role: | Name: |
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English commentators | Michael Cole (SmackDown) |
Pat McAfee (SmackDown) | |
Jimmy Smith (Raw) | |
Corey Graves (Raw) | |
Byron Saxton (Raw) | |
Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
Marcelo Rodriguez | |
Ring announcers | Greg Hamilton (SmackDown) |
Mike Rome (Raw) | |
Referees | Danilo Anfibio |
Jason Ayers | |
Jessika Carr | |
Darrick Moore | |
Eddie Orengo | |
Chad Patton | |
Rod Zapata | |
Charles Robinson | |
Interviewer | Kevin Patrick |
Pre-show panel | Kayla Braxton |
John "Bradshaw" Layfield | |
Peter Rosenberg | |
Booker T | |
Jerry Lawler | |
Sonya Deville |
During the Money in the Bank Kickoff pre-show, Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso). During the match, Jey caught Rey with a Superkick in mid-air and then performed the Superfly Splash on Rey for a nearfall. In the end, as Rey attempted a 619 on Jey who was teetering on the ring ropes, Jimmy protected Jey with Jimmy on the receiving end of the 619. Jey then performed a roll-up Rey with an assist from Jimmy to win the title for the fifth time, and their seventh overall tag team championship in WWE.[24]
The actual pay-per-view opened with the women's Money in the Bank ladder match with Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Naomi, and Nikki A.S.H. representing Raw, and Liv Morgan, Zelina Vega, and WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Natalya & Tamina, representing SmackDown. During the match, Bliss used her supernatural powers to lower the contract into her hands, only for Vega to thwart Bliss. Later atop a ladder, Bliss hypnotized Vega into climbing down the ladder and allowing Bliss an opportunity to unhook the briefcase, however, Natalya intercepted Bliss. The rest competitors eventually buried Bliss under a pile of ladders, taking Bliss out for the remainder of the match. With three ladders positioned under the briefcase, Asuka, Naomi, Morgan, Vega, Natalya, and Tamina all fought atop of the three ladders. In the closing moments, Nikki, who had been down outside the ring, used the opportunity to quickly climb the middle ladder and unhook the briefcase and win the match.[25]
Next, AJ Styles and Omos defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar). In the end, Erik and Ivar performed The Viking Experience on Styles, however, Omos stood on the ring apron and shoved Erik into Ivar to void the pin attempt. Omos delivered a Two-Handed Chokeslam on Erik to retain the title.[25]
After that, Bobby Lashley (accompanied by MVP) defended the WWE Championship against Kofi Kingston. At the start of the match, Kingston performed a Double Stomp on Lashley's chest for a nearfall. Following this, Lashley completely dominated Kingston for the remainder of the match. After Kingston refused to submit to the Hurt Lock, Lashley performed the Dominator three times on Kingston before applying the Hurt Lock again, forcing Kingston to submit and retain the title.[25]
In the fourth match, Rhea Ripley defended the Raw Women's Championship against Charlotte Flair. After a well contested match, as Ripley went for the Riptide, Flair countered into a DDT. Flair performed the Natural Selection on Ripley off the second rope for a nearfall. Ripley performed a German Suplex on Flair who rolled out of the ring. Flair rammed Ripley's head in a turnbuckle and trapped her leg in between the steel steps and the corner post, kicking it several times. In the end, with both combatants back in the ring, Flair applied the Figure Eight Leglock on Ripley to win the title for a record-tying fifth time, and her 13th overall singles championship in WWE, and 14th title overall.[25]
The penultimate match was the men's Money in the Bank ladder match, with Drew McIntyre, John Morrison, Ricochet, and Riddle representing Raw, and Big E, Kevin Owens, King Nakamura, and Seth Rollins respresenting SmackDown. During the match, as McIntyre ascended the ladder, he was attacked by Jinder Mahal with a steel chair and was carried off by Mahal's henchmen Shanky and Veer— thus continuing a rivalry that had recently begun on Raw. As Ricochet ascended the ladder, Riddle tipped the ladder over and Ricochet jumped onto the other competitors, who were outside the ring. Riddle and Owens would perform the RKO and The Stunner, respectively, on the remaining competitors. As Owens ascended the ladder, Rollins pulled Owens off, performing a Powerbomb on Owens through a ladder that was wedged between the apron and announce table. In the closing moments, as Rollins ascended the ladder, Big E prevented him and performed the Big Ending on Rollins off the ladder. Big E then ascended the ladder and unhooked the briefcase to win the match.[25]
In the main event, Roman Reigns (accompanied by Paul Heyman) defended the Universal Championship against Edge. During the match, Reigns and Edge brawled at ringside. As Reigns attempted the Spear on Edge, Edge moved out of the way and Reigns went through the barricade. Edge then performed a Spear on Reigns through the remainder of the barricade. Back in the ring, as Reigns performed the Superman Punch on Edge, Edge incapacitated the referee. Reigns obtained a broken piece of a chair and attempted to apply the Crossface on Edge, however, Edge reversed and applied the Crossface on Reigns. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) emerged and attempted to interfere in the match, however, they were thwarted by Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio. Seth Rollins then came out and performed a Superkick on Edge. As Reigns attempted a Spear, Edge performed a Spear of his own for a nearfall. In the closing moments, Rollins returned to the ring, only for Edge to knock him off the apron. This brief distraction allowed Reigns to performed a Spear on Edge and retain the title. Following the match, as Reigns and Rollins had a stare down, Edge attacked Rollins and brawled into the crowd. As Reigns obtained a microphone and proclaimed that everyone needed to acknowledge him, John Cena, in his first appearance since WrestleMania 36 in April 2020, made a surprise return and entered the ring where Cena had a stare down with Reigns and performed his "You Can't See Me" taunt at Reigns.[25]
Though the event itself was well-received and the return of a live crowd was enthusiastically welcomed,[26] there was a massive amount of online criticism directed at Peacock due to significant technical difficulties (including major lag and buffering) occurring throughout the show's live stream in the United States (mainly the entrances and initial portion of the men's Money in the Bank ladder match).[27] Some viewers even called for WWE to cancel their partnership with Peacock.[28]
Following his dominant victory over Kofi Kingston, Bobby Lashley (accompanied by MVP) held an open challenge for the WWE Championship on the following night's episode of Raw which was accepted by a returning Keith Lee, who had been out with an injury since February, who lost to Lashley. Following the match, Lashley and MVP were confronted by WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg, appearing for the first time since Royal Rumble in January. Goldberg confronted Lashley and challenged Lashley to a match.[29]
Also on the following Raw, as Charlotte Flair boasted about winning the Raw Women's Championship for a fifth time, she was confronted by Rhea Ripley, who challenged her to a rematch that night which was granted by WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. During the match, Flair was disqualified after striking Ripley with the championship belt, thus Ripley won the match but not the title. Following the match, the two brawled at ringside where Ripley performed the Riptide on Flair. Nikki A.S.H. then ran down to the ring and cashed in her Money in the Bank contract and defeated Flair to win the Raw Women's Championship.[29]
Riddle teamed with The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) in a six-man tag team match against John Morrison and Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos in which The Viking Raiders performed The Viking Experience on Morrison to win the match. Styles and Omos were subsequently scheduled to defend the Raw Tag Team Championship in a rematch against The Viking Raiders on the following week's episode.[29]
Jinder Mahal, along with Shanky and Veer, gloated about costing Drew McIntyre the Money in the Bank ladder match. McIntyre then appeared and attacked Mahal and Veer with a chair. As Shanky tried to calm McIntyre down, McIntyre responded with multiple chair shots on Shanky.[29]
Instead of waiting until SmackDown, John Cena first appeared on Raw to explain his appearance at Money in the Bank. He stated that he wanted to put Reigns in his place and officially challenged Reigns for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam.[29] On SmackDown, however, Reigns rejected Cena's challenge and instead accepted a challenge from Finn Bálor, who had returned to SmackDown the previous week.[30]
Also on the following episode of SmackDown, Edge claimed that he would have been Universal Champion had it not been for Seth Rollins actions. He stated that their issues dates back to 2014 when Rollins had attempted to injure Edge's surgically repaired neck and definitively put an end to his career. Rollins then came out and claimed he despised older wrestlers like Edge and John Cena for coming back and taking opportunities from the current wrestlers who earned them. A brawl then ensued with Edge performing the Edgecution on Rollins. As Edge attempted a Spear on Rollins, Rollins retreated.[30]
Big E cut a promo on winning the Money in the Bank briefcase and calling it the biggest victory of his career only for Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews (accompanied by Commander Azeez) to interrupt and gloat about defeating Big E initially for the title back at WrestleMania 37 in April. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode interrupted with Ziggler challenging Crews for the title. King Nakamura (accompanied by Rick Boogs) and Cesaro then came out, with Cesaro also challenging Crews for the title. A brawl then ensued with Big E, Cesaro and Nakamura taking out Crews, Azeez, Ziggler and Roode. [30]
Also on SmackDown, Jimmy Uso defeated Dominik Mysterio, thanks to Jey assisting Jimmy during the pin attempt.[30]
Presented content of the Wikipedia article was extracted in 2021-07-27 based on https://en.wikipedia.org/?curid=63556669