WWE Money in the Bank 2021 – Predictions

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Ricochet vs John Morrison vs Riddle vs Drew McIntyre vs Big E vs Kevin Owens vs King Nakamura vs Seth Rollins

I don’t think it’s an unfair comment to say that some of WWE’s booking – especially that related to the Money in the Bank briefcase – has been somewhat lazy. Otis being randomly put in the briefcase position with seemingly no plan (not to mention the literal murder of Aleister Black and Rey Mysterio last time out) was indicative of something which was originally an exciting and original fixture of WWE becoming somewhat of a played out booking crutch.

However, there were news reports this week that WWE is planning something ‘big’ for the show with a serious pivot in their plans for the summer. If this does happen, then it’s this match where the main story will be coming from and I think it’s sign-posting a very specific winner… Big E.

The bookies agree; Mr Langston is currently the 6/4 favourite and – although Riddle/Rollins/McIntyre all have short odds – the largest member of New Day is very much the clear favourite.
A Big E win presents a number of stories given that his New Day brethren Kofi Kingston is up against Lashley later in the night. The most likely scenario is that Lashley wins and then – either Big cashes in to become champ, or at least sets up the threat of doing so.

Of course, he could cash in on Kofi should Kingston be able to overcome The Almighty (more on that later) but I think the *most* interesting scenario would be Kofi beats Lashley and then just the idea he “could” cash in draws a rift between New Day (Woods/Kofi paranoid he might, E upset they’d think such a thing). I genuinely think this would be the most unique way to go, but regardless this presents the most options so let’s go with that

Prediction: Big E Wins

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Asuka vs Naomi vs Alexa Bliss vs Nikki A.S.H. vs Liv Morgan vs Zelina Vega vs Natalya vs TBD

According to the bookies, the women’s MITB match is very much a two lady race. It’s actually quite surprising that Zelina Vega is as far out as she is (14/1) – similar to (not announced yet, but could return here) Sonya DeVille at 25/1.

But these odds are because how likely the favourite is. Bookies aren’t ruling out Liv Morgan just yet (at a surprisingly short 7/2) but Alexa Bliss is the likely favourite at 3/1

For what it’s worth – 3/1 for Bliss seems like *GREAT* odds for a character who they’re always keen to push and who could do a number of (potentially SPOOKY) things with the Briefcase.
In fact, I think that the only reason that the odds are as long as they are for Bliss is the chance that there is one outsider who could come back here and win the thing. Becky Lynch is a 12/1 shot where the question is less “will she win” but rather it’s a 12/1 shot for her to turn up. If Lynch does appear here, then those odds would drop quick (if you can find someone to do live in-game odds).
I don’t think she will do though; the MITB feels more suited to Bliss than Lynch and I think there’s more interesting ways to re-introduce “The Man”… the missing slots are red herrings. Bliss wins here: and at 3/1 is a great money spinner.

Prediction: Alexa Bliss Wins

WWE Championship

Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Kofi Kingston

This is one of those matches where I was very surprised to see the odds. Yes, I think Lashley is the favourite and is likely to win here – I agree with the bookies on this. But Lashley is 1/25 (you get a pound for every 25 you stake) against a massive 8/1 for Kingston to get his second title.

Much like Bliss in MITB, these odds are almost encouraging a bet as much as they are giving an accurate prediction. With Roman’s massive reign (again, for the fourth month, no pun intended) one has to assume that Lashley is the more likely champ to be “cashed in on” and with Big E favourite for the men’s (bar one bonkers theory I’ll mention later), I wouldn’t rule out a cash in on the night.
But eight to one feels SO long for a one on one match – especially in a straight up match that Bobby could (for example) lose by DQ.

When the bookies go like this though, it’s usually because someone is in the now. Given the tiny, tiny odds for Lasher it’s best to avoid you money on this one (bar a tiny bet on Kofi with the expectation it’ll lose)

Prediction: Bobby Lashley Wins

WWE Raw Women’s Championship

Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

What did I say last month when this exact match happened then? Let’s look…

“Speaking of things with an air of an eventuality, Charlotte Flair is challenging for a Women’s World Championship. Charlotte win undoubtedly win the title again, but the bookies don’t think that this is the time it’ll happen. Flair is currently 13/8 against Ripley at 4/9 suggesting that Rhea is likely to retain. Although I wouldn’t have put her as *such* a strong favourite, I’ll agree with the bookies on this one.”

The more things change, the more that they stay the same, kids. Except this time, I’m going to back someone else (even if the bookies don’t)

The odds are pretty similar. Ripley is 8/13 here; meaning the bookies have her *slightly* less likely to win this time than before – but remains the favourite. Flair is 6/5 meaning she is slightly more likely to win this time (essentially 48/40 vs. 65/40 for those who want fun with fractions). What this all is saying is that the bookies are finding the re-match a lot harder to call than the match at Hell in a Cell.

Even though she’s the longer shot; I just can’t see Flair losing twice. I think she wins here and they take the rubber match to Summerslam (where Rhea win the feud and the title – before Bliss / Lynch or whoever cash in on her).

Probably the hardest match on the show to call, but I’m going with Flair

Prediction: Charlotte Flair Wins

WWE Universal Championship

Roman Reigns (c) vs Edge

I mention earlier that Bobby Lashley at 1/25 felt incredibly short odds for something that – in theory – could go either way. Roman being a 1/12 heavy favourite however, actually feels about right (and, if anything, further gives suggestion that the Lashley odds are too short).

Roman’s reign (again, pun still not intended) is really unlikely to end at a “B” level PPV like Money in the Bank (especially with Summerslam on the horizon). Edge has enough stock in his to be the person to win the title from The Big Dawg, but just not here. Not this night.

Both men are utter professional wrestlers though, so expect this to be an entertaining match. It’s obviously ending with a spear… isn’t it?

At 5/1 I don’t think Edge’s odds are long enough to encourage a long shot bet in the same way that Kofi’s are, so it’s another match to keep you money away from (especially when there’s some great bets elsewhere at Money in the Bank)

Speaking on the Money in the Bank match; I don’t see anyone cashing in on either Roman or Edge here. Unless… erm… I almost don’t want to say it…

What if Alexa Bliss cashes in on Roman/Edge “on behalf” or even with The Fiend. Bliss turns up and as the announcer goes “this match is now ein three way dance”, Alexa grabs the mic and goes “no… it’s a Fatal Four Way” and Wyatt appears to win the title. Does it make sense? Nope. It is crazy enough to under-value the entire concept of MITB? Yes. Still wouldn’t rule it out there.
Let’s stick with the most likely. Roman wins here via massive spear.

Prediction: Roman Reigns Wins

WWE Raw Tag Team Championship

AJ Styles and Omos (c) vs The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar)

I’ve long been a fan of Ivar and Erik – especially during their NJPW runs and excellent series of matches with The London Riots in PROGRESS. It’s a strange story that – like another beardy chap in Braun Strowman – that WWE haven’t been able to get a team like the former War Machine over stronger than they have.

And they won’t be doing so again here either… even with a decent enough push in the build up to this match, it’s had a feeling of pushing The Vikings so that it’s an achievement for AJ & Omos to beat them, rather than a push in their own right.

And there’s nothing actually *wrong* with that. It’s what is supposed to happen in professional wrestling. I’d just like to see something meatier for Ivar & Erik rather than dicking around with Akira’s Ninjas or losing to Omos

… I’ve just realised that awful match with The Street Profits last year was were THE GIANT NINJA (who was not Omos in the same way Sami Zayn isn’t El Generico) debuted. WHAT DOES OMOS HAVE AGAINST VIKINGS?

AJ & Omos to win here… not sure what happens with them next, but a return to this at a later stage could be fun.

Prediction: AJ Styles & Omos to win