WWE Payback Preview

After a three year absents, Payback returns to the WWE Network on Sunday. This will be the sixth event in Payback chronology and it will take place inside the ThunderDome - at the Amway Center, in Orlando Florida. The pay-per-view was only announced two weeks ago and takes place a week after SummerSlam.

Despite the show being hastily announced the card looks good and features the in-ring return of Roman Reigns, The Big Dog's first match February 28th.

Payback will be the fifth event inside the ThunderDome, the virtual fan viewing experience, and the shows have become more of a spectacle since the WWE moved out of the Performance Centre - nine day ago. The pyro, fan screen and entrances have given the shows a freshness - the rating for Raw and SmackDown have increased since WWE switched venues.  

The event is on the award winning WWE Network and the pre-show will begin at 23:00, British Summer Time, with the main card starting a hour later.

Apollo Crews (c) Vs. Bobby Lashley (United States Championship Match). 

The issues between The Hurt Business and Apollo Crews have gone on since July - when the United States champion declined MVP's offer to join his faction. 

Since then - Crews has beaten Shelton Benjamin and MVP, on several occasion, with his most recent win over the latter occurring on the SummerSlam pre-show. The one man who Crews hasn't beaten is Bobby Lashley and it seems The All Mighty has Crews' number, he's put him in the Full Lashley submission and left him laying on several occasions. Lashley once again got the better of the United States champion, on the August 17th edition of Raw, when he pinned Crews to end a Six Man Tag Team Elimination match.

Both of these men are powerhouses and on the last Raw before Payback - they wanted to see who the stronger of the two is. They met in an Arm Wrestling contest, hosted by WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, and Crews outsmarted his foe to win. After getting his hand raised, Lashley attempted a sneak attack on Crews but the United States Champion was alert and managed to fight him off. As the other members of The Hurt Business made their way to the ring, to ambush Crews, he took them out with a dive over the top rope.

At SummerSlam, The Hurt Business was banned from ringside, but that is not the case this Sunday and they will come into play at the finish of this match. 

MVP has been trying to get Cedric Alexander to join his stable for weeks and he will finally be convinced at Payback - Alexander will turn heel and cost Crews the title.

Winner: Bobby Lashley. 

Dominik & Rey Mysterio Vs. Seth Rollins & Murphy.

After having his first match, in the WWE at SummerSlam, Dominik Mysterio will have a third contest in a week this Sunday. 

Dominik was brilliant on his debut and his match with his dad, against the same opponents on Raw last week, was interrupted by the group know as RETRIBUTION - hence this rematch.

This history between these four men is well documented - Seth Rollins removed Rey's eye, at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, while The Monday Night Messiah and his Disciple brutally beat Dominik with a kendo stick on the August 10th episode of Raw. The Mysterio's got some revenge on Rollins and Murphy, seven days later, when they used a kendo stick to fend off their rivals. 

Rollins and Murphy have had the better of this feud - Rollins has beaten father and son in singles matches and left them laying on occasions. The Mysterio's are due, excuse the pun, some 'Payback' and that should come at this event. I expect Murphy to be pinned by Dominik and maybe a blow off match between Rollins and Rey as this feud has been going on since May and all involved could do with fresh opponents.

Winners: Dominik & Rey Mysterio. 

King Corbin Vs. Matt Riddle.

The issues between King Corbin and Matt Riddle began after Riddle was on of the WWE Superstars who attacked The King - after he made disparaging comments about The Undertaker on The Deadman's appreciation night, on the 26th June episode of SmackDown.

A week later - Corbin interrupted Riddle, while he was cutting a promo, and told The Original Bro that his actions were "disrespectful" and he should "bow down to the king". Corbin let Riddle know "he didn't like him" and "nobody wanted" on the blue brand. No one to be patronized, Riddle offered to fight Corbin there and then but the former United States champion wasn't fond of the idea and left the ring.

On the July 17th episode of SmackDown, Riddle lost to AJ Styles, and after the match - Corbin attacked him from behind and left him laying with a End of Days. This rivalry was heating up and Corbin had the upper hand.

After that beatdown, Riddle was irate, and called Corbin out a week after being blindsided. Corbin came out to the entrance way, while Riddle was in the ring, and told him "he doesn't know how things work in his kingdom" and he "needs to be sent back to NXT for more seasoning". Riddle said "he wasn't one of Corbin's subjects in his made up kingdom" and wanted to fight right now. Corbin was hesitant and offered a "king's ransom" to anyone who took Riddle out. Tony Nese, who had just lost to The Bro Who Runs The Show, tried to collect but was taken out with a roundhouse kick.

Shorty G was the next wrestler to try and get the King's Ransom, him and Corbin set a trap for the former NXT Tag Team Champion and Corbin assaulted Riddle from behind with his scepter.

On the last stop before Payback, Riddle beat Shorty G and fought off a sneak attack from Corbin to stand tall before their match this Sunday.

This feud has been booked well but I'm ready for this match to be a one and done. This is Riddle's main roster singles pay-per-view debut, he should go over.

Winner: Matt Riddle.

Big E Vs. Sheamus.

Both of these men consider themselves 'leaders' of the SmackDown lockeroom and have different ways of countering the threat of the group know as RETRIBUTION. Big E wants to go toe-to-toe with them while Sheamus wants to play the long game.

After the renegades attacked Big E and John Morrison, on the August 14th episode of SmackDown, the powerhouse of The New Day and Sheamus had words backstage with the latter telling the former Intercontinental Champion that he was "nothing" with Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston and he was "vulnerable" without them. Big E said he "wasn't alone" as he had the backing of the SmackDown superstars. 

The two went one-on-one, a week after their verbal confrontation, and Big E won a back and forth match after surprising his rival with a roll up.

WWE likes 50/50 booking but Big E is in the middle of a singles push - while Sheamus has no real direction at the moment. Big E should win here and go onto a new feud.

Winner: Big E

Sasha Banks and Bayley (c) Vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (WWE Women's Tag Team Championship). 

The cracks in the partnership between The Golden Role Models have appeared more and more since Sasha Banks lost the Raw Women's Championship to Asuka - at SummerSlam. When Bayley faced The Empress of Tomorrow, on that show, she won due to Banks "taking a bullet" for her best friend however when it was time to return the favour - the SmackDown Women's Champion did not.

Banks and Bayley defending their titles, was the first match announced for Payback, but their opponents were revealed on the go-home Raw before the pay-per-view. On that show, Baszler went one on one with Bayley and Jax interfered to cost The Queen of Spades the match. When The Irresistible Force was about to put a beating on Baszler, Banks and Bayley egged her on, but the former Raw Women's Champion doesn't take directions from anyone and she turned her attentions to the tag team champions. Baszler joined her and they stared Banks and Bayley down - the champions did not want to get physical and retreated to the backstage area. Later in the night, Jax admitted she wanted the titles and told Baszler to "follow her lead" and pushed the former NXT Women's Champion. Baszler responded with a hard slap to the face.

If you look for the word 'random' in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. The two women have been engaged in a physical feud lately and suddenly find themselves as the number one contenders for the Women's Tag Team Championships. Baszler tapped out Bayley, when she teamed with Asuka, two weeks ago but this match has come from left field. 

Despite clear distention between Sasha Banks and Bayley - they will find a way to retain their titles at Payback as Jax and Baszler will imploded from within. The Golden Role Models will face off soon but the more immediate rivalry is between their opponents.

Winners: Sasha Banks and Bayley.  

Keith Lee Vs. Randy Orton.

Less than seven days after making his Raw debut, Keith Lee will go one-on-one with Randy Orton - on his main roster pay-per-view debut.

These two paths first crossed when Lee confronted Orton on last week's Raw, due to the punt kick's The Viper hit on Lee's friend Drew McIntyre, earlier on that show. Lee stuck up for the WWE Champion and challenged the former 13-time world champion for a match - there and then. Orton did not respond immediately but they did face each other later that night, with Lee making a good impression until McIntyre interference caused a disqualification. 

After the Lee Vs. Orton match, The Scottish Psychopathy was being interviewed backstage, and Orton struck again with a third punt kick. An incensed Lee vowed to get 'Payback' on his friends behalf and the rematch was made official.

This match is intriguing as The Limitless One has just been called up to the main roster and Orton is in the middle of a fierce rivalry with McIntyre - it's a contest that could go either way. Lee could lose and look strong in defeat, a defeat to a star like Orton won't be damaging in the long run. Other than his loss to McIntyre, at SummerSlam, Orton has been stacking up wins - another one will follow this Sunday, with an inevitable rematch with McIntyre on the horizon.

Winner: Randy Orton.

'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt (c) Vs. Roman Reigns Vs. Braun Strowman (No Holds Barred Triple Threat Match for the Universal Championship).

When Roman Reigns returned to the WWE, for the first time since March at SummerSlam, nobody saw it coming. Reigns destroyed 'The Fiend' and Braun Strowman, after the former had recaptured the Universal Championship and held the title above his head as the show went off the air. The Big Dog made his intentions clear - he wanted the title he was forced to relinquish, in October 2018, back.

On the go home SmackDown before Payback, Mr. McMahon told Adam Pearce his job for the night was to get all three men to sign the contract for this match. 

'Postman Pearce' managed to locate Bray Wyatt's Firefly Funhouse and got his signature. After Strowman made quick work of Drew Gulak, he also signed on the dotted line. Pearce knocked on Reigns' lockeroom several times but he didn't  answer until the last five minutes of the show. When he finally did - Reigns looked at the document and said he would sign it "after a few changes were fixed" and declared he would "be at Payback and wreck everyone and leave as the new Universal Champion". Reigns added "that is not a prediction, that's a spoiler" and the camera panned to Paul Heyman - The Big Dog is now a Paul Heyman guy. 

                              

These three man are no strangers to each other - Reigns and Wyatt had a long feud in 2015 ("anyone but you Roman"), Reigns and Strowman beat the hell out of each other throughout 2017 and Wyatt and Strowman have been embroiled in a bitter battle since May this year. This match will be brilliant, it will be non stop action from bell to bell, the No Holds Barred stipulation makes the contest exciting.

'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt won the Universal Championship, five days ago, I can't see him losing the title so soon after re-capturing it. Strowman was a good champion but it's clear Reigns and Wyatt is the long term plan, it was the scheduled feud before The Big Dog went on hiatus, so I expect Wyatt to pin The Monster Among men and him and Reigns face off for the title.

Winner: 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt.

 

WWE The Horror Show At Extreme Rules Preview

On Sunday WWE mixes Michael Myers and Sports Entertainment when they present The Horror Show at Extreme Rules.

This will be twelfth under the Extreme Rules chronology however it will be the first with 'The Horror Show' tagline. The pay-per-view title began as the traditional Extreme Rules, it was changed to Extreme Rules: The Horror Show then WWE settled for the current name.

The card will feature a Cinematic presentation - the Swamp Fight between Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman and rumors have indicated the Eye for an Eye match, between Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins, could use Computer Generated Imagery.

                       
Those battles will be taped in advance and the rest of the event will be broadcast live from the Performance Center in Orlando Florida.

A further five matches have been announced - the pre-show will start at 23:00 in the United Kingdom, 7pm Easten and 4pm Pacific. It will be broadcast on the award winning WWE Network.

From the bright colours on the official poster to the scream in the preview captions on television, WWE have done a good job promoting the event - it should be a fun night.

Bayley (c) Vs. Nikki Cross (SmackDown Women's Championship Match).

When Bayley and Sasha Banks retained their Women's Tag Team Titles, at Backlash, against The IIconic and Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross - The Golden Role Models expected to put both teams in the rear view mirror but Cross had other ideas.

On the SmackDown after Backlash - a crazed Cross attacked the tag team champions and made it abundantly clear she wasn't done with them yet.

The following week - the former Sanity member pinned Lacey Evans in a Number One Contender Fatal 4-Way Match and has been a thorn in Bayley's side ever since.

During Bayley Dos Straps Champion Vs Champion match with Asuka, on July 6th edition of Raw, Cross' distraction lead to the SmackDown Woman's Champion losing - this was her first one-on-one pinfall defeat since February.

Four days later, Bayley got her revenge on Cross by pinning her (using the middle rope as leverage) in a non-title tag team match, that included Banks and Bliss.

Bayley pinned Cross again, on the last SmackDown before The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, using the same method. On this occasion Cross' tag team partner was Asuka, who was on the show as a guest of Alexa Bliss. After another defeat, to her foe, Cross saw Bayley backstage and attacked her - Banks managed to get the crazed Scot off her partner.

Bayley is on the hottest run of her career right now, she's the longest reigning Women's Champion in blue brand history, and is on a collision course with Sasha Banks. Cross is a worthy challenger, she will push Bayley to the limit but will fall short in her quest to win her first single's title in the WWE.

Winner: Bayley. 

Apollo Crews (c) Vs. Montel Vontavious Porter (United States Championship Match).

The United States Champion has resisted several advances from his challenger to join The Hurt Business and will look to finally get rid of his adversary this Sunday.

In a VIP Lounge segment, on June 22nd, after becoming frustrated at his overtures being rejected - MVP reminded Apollo Crews that he held the United States title for a "historic 343 days" and warned him he was going to regain the title "weather he liked it or not". Crews said he wasn't going to let MVP "change who he is" and would do things his way.

Despite not being the official US Champion, MVP has been calling himself the "uncrowned champion" and even had the audacity to unveil a newly designed title - on Raw a fortnight ago.

Crews has been absent from Raw, since June 29th, on that show he lost to MVP in a non title match. He did defeat the his rival on April 20th - so they are 1-1 against each other this year. This match will decide who the better man is and while MVP is a veteran, Crews first title reign is in it's infancy and will do everything in his power to keep hold of it.

The two previous matches between these two have been good, their styles suit each other, Crews will retain in a back and forth battle.

Winner: Apollo Crews.

The New Day (c) Vs Cesaro & Nakamura (Smackdown Tag Team Championship Table's Match).

On a recent episode of SmackDown - Cesaro and Nakamura cut a passionate promo saying they were "sick and tired" of being overlooked and The New Day were an "embarrassment" to the SmackDown Tag Tiles. The duo demanded a shot at Kofi Kingston and Big E titles and were granted their wish by the fighting champions

Before they got to the title match - Nakamura beat Kofi Kingston one-on-one. After the match - The Artist and The Swiss Cyborg attempted to put the former WWE Champion through a table but Big E made the save.

A week later, the teams met for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles, but the match ended in a draw as both teams ignored the referee's five count. After the bell rang, the carnage continued, when Cesaro and Nakamura smashed the champions through a table - foreshadowing what was to come.

On the blue brands last stop before The Horror Show at Extreme Rules - Cesaro faced Big E with the winner choosing the stipulation for the title match at the pay-per-view. Cesaro won, after hitting an impressive Neutralizer on his opponent, and he revealed the match this Sunday would be a Table's Match.

Cesaro and Nakamura have dominated this feud and that usually indicates they will lose at the pay-per-view but the trend maybe reversed on this occasion and The New Day's three month title reign will come to and end.

Winners: Cesaro and Nakamura.

Rey Mysterio Vs. Seth Rollins (Eye for an Eye Match).

The most intense feud in the WWE began the night after Money In The Bank when a despondent Seth Rollins, who had lost to Drew McIntyre on that show, attempted extract Rey Mysterio's eye by pushing it against steel steps. It was a brutal assault - the likes of which the WWE Universe had never seen before.

Two weeks later, convinced he had ended Mysterio's career, Rollins held a "retirement ceremony" for the veteran and claimed the"greatest luchador to ever step inside a ring" had sacrificed himself for the "greater good". Later that night - Mysterio and his son Dominick responded to Rollins, via video link, and the former told Rollins that he is a man of "forgiveness" but he will "never forget" what The Monday Night Messiah did to him and the pain he put his family through. When Mysterio left the screen, a seething Dominick said "Seth Rollins, you're a man of scripture... an eye for a eye".

On the next edition of Raw, Mysterio told Rollins he was not retiring and vowed to "kick his ass". Rollins invited Mysterio and his son to appear on the show the following week, a invitation Mysterio accepted. On that show, Mysterio said that Dominick made his way to the Performance Center by himself. That was music to Rollins ears, who reassured Mysterio that he had Murphy and Austin Theory looking for Dominick and they will bring him to Raw as his next sacrifice. A panicked Mysterio warned Rollins that if he or any of his "goons" put their hands on his son - he would "end them". As Rollins attention was on the screen, Dominick jumped him from behind and unloaded a barrage of punches on the former WWE Champion. The attack continued until Murphy and Theory ran to ringside but Dominick managed to escape their grasp.

When Mysterio and Dominick returned to the PC, Mysterio was in no mood to talk and called Rollins out for a fight. Rollins made his way to the ring and said as father and son were in the same place at the same time, "two eyes were better than one". Rollins, Murphy and Theory made their way to the ring but before they could put their plan into action - Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo made the save and a brawl ensued. Once his disciples had the upper hand, Rollins attempted the same ocular assault on Dominick that he inflicted on his father. Lucky, Carrillo and Black recovered to fight off the dangerous trio.

It was clear Rollins and Mysterio had to settle this fierce rivalry and they decided to do it at Extreme Rules. After teaming up with Kevin Owens to defeat Rollins and Murphy, Mysterio picked the stipulation for the match, he choose the first ever Eye for an Eye Match. "You damaged my eye and then went after my son's eye - I'm willing to take it a step further and pull your eye out with my bear hands," Mysterio declared.

Leading up to their grudge match, Rollins asked Mysterio for "forgiveness" for what he is going to him and Mysterio told his son to "forgive" him for the violence he is going to inflict on his adversary. He explained that he has to do something just as "remorseless" as what Rollins did to him.

It's @reymysterio vs. @WWERollins...EYE for an EYE at The Horror Show at #ExtremeRules THIS SUNDAY!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/YuNTu7f3l0

— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2020

This storyline has been great - sometimes WWE can hotshot feuds but this has been built brilliantly since starting in May. Rollins, in his role as The Monday Night Messiah, has taken his performances to another level while Mysterio has garnered sympathy from the WWE Universe with his portrayal a concerned father.

According to reports, Mysterio is working without a contract so he's unlikely to go over if his long term future is not secure.

Rollins has lost big matches this year, against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 36 and Drew McInytre at Money In The Bank, his Monday Night Messiah gimmick won't be believable if he keeps on tasting defeat - this is a must win match for him.

Winner: Seth Rollins. 

Asuka (c) Vs. Sasha Banks (Raw Women's Championship Match).

After her and Bayley defeated the IIconics, on the 22nd June episode of Raw, Sasha Banks turned to her tag team partner and said "look Bayley, you are my best friend and I love seeing you happy but I can't help but want to experience that as well - I want a title match. So at Extreme Rules, I am officially challenging..... Asuka for the Raw Woman's Championship".

The Women's Tag Team Champions burst out laughing however seconds after the challenged was made, Asuka made her way down to the ring and told Banks "you are not the boss of me" and accepted her challenge. The Golden Role Model's put the boots to The Empress of Tomorrow, leaving her laying in the middle of the ring.

Seven days later, Raw was supposed to begin with Banks and Asuka signing the contract for their match, but the two women were brawling instead. Once Samoa Joe, who was moderating the segment, gained control of proceedings - Asuka indicated that she was going to keep her title but Banks claimed she "wasn't the same person" Asuka faced in 2018 and she will be "Two Belts Banks" after The Horror Show at Extreme Rules. Another fight broke out but they were quickly separated by WWE officials. In the main event of  the show - Banks the teamed with Dolph Ziggler against Asuka and Drew McIntyre and The Boss secured a win for her team by pinning the Raw Women's Champion.

On the penultimate Raw before The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, Banks beat Asuka's tag team partner Kairi Sane in a closely fought match. Later that night, Asuka pinned Banks' best friend Bayley - following a distraction from Nikki Cross.

The Go-Home show, before the pay-per-view, saw The Golden Role Models defeat The Kabuki Warriors - when Banks made Sane tap-out with the Bank Statement.

These two women are at the top of their game right now, you could flip a coin and whatever side it lands on could be the winner. Asuka has only been champion since April and should be rewarded for her brilliant work lately - with a long run with the title. Banks, on the other hand, has not held a single's title since 2017 and is long overdue a reign. Banks will get her hands on a single's title this year but it won't be Asuka's it will be Bayley's. Asuka will retain here and it could be the beginning of the end for The Golden Role Model's, Bayley could inadvertently cost her partner the match.

Winner: Asuka. 

Braun Strowman Vs. Bray Wyatt (Wyatt Swamp Fight - Non-Title Match).

After defeating Bray Wyatt, at Money In The Bank, Braun Strowman thought his issues with his former mentor were over but he was wrong. Wyatt returned to SmackDown on June 19th, in a Firefly Fun House segment, and claimed while he was away - he had "resurrected the dead". A angry Strowman made has way to the ring and said Wyatt had his title opportunity but "failed" and that the story between them was "over". Wyatt laughed and told Strowman that their story was "just getting started" as he said that, clips of the duo in The Wyatt Family played on the screen, and Wyatt had transformed into his Eater of World's character. "What's wrong brother? You look like you've seen a ghost. Now in order for us to move forward, we must take a step back to where it all began. I created you Braun so it is my duty to destroy you", Wyatt added ominously.

The following week, Strowman told a story about watching Wyatt allow a snake to bite him several times and that's when he knew Wyatt was the "devil himself". Strowman admitted he was "enamored" with what he had witnessed and was pleased to do the "devil's work" and "loved" every second of it. The Universal Champion said he had done "everything in his power" to block the "devil" out and the only way to end it was to return to where it began, the swamp, and fight it out with Wyatt.

                          

These two had a good match at Money In The Bank but that was traditional one-on-one contest, a Swamp Fight is a step into the unknown, nobody knows what to expect - only the strong will survive. Despite what he says, Strowman looks like he has been effected by Wyatt's mind games and that could play a part in this contest.

As the Universal Title is not on the line, everything points to Wyatt winning this Sunday, and the two having a third and final match at SummerSlam. If that is the case - expect 'The Fiend' to face Strowman, at The Biggest Party of the Summer, meaning The Monster Among Men would have faced all three of Wyatt's personas.

Winner: Bray Wyatt. 

Drew McInytre (c) Vs. Dolph Ziggler (WWE Championship Match).

Following his trade to Raw, Dolph Ziggler immediately set his eyes Drew McIntyre, and demanded a shot at the WWE Title. Ziggler called out his former tag team partner and claimed he made McIntyre who he is today and The Scottish Psychopath wouldn't be champion if it wasn't for him. "When you got fired, you should have been done and would have been, if it wasn't for Dolph Ziggler", The Showoff bragged and added McIntyre "owed" him a title shot for "saving his career." McIntyre reminded Ziggler that without "Big Daddy Claymore" he was "losing a lot" and accepted his challenge for a title match at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules.

During the contract signing for their match, Ziggler told McIntrye that he "created" him and he will "destroy" him, McIntyre let Ziggler know he was going to "hurt and slaughter" him. As usual with contract signings - things broke down in a hurry and Ziggler escaped a Claymore Kick by scurrying out of the ring in the nick of time.

Things took an expect turn as we got closer to The Horror Show at Extreme Rules - when Ziggler came to Raw with McIntyre's former 3MB team-mate Heath Slater. Ziggler told McIntyle that he "stabbed people in the back" and "forgotten" about the people who had helped him become WWE Champion. Slater agreed with Ziggler's comments and slapped McIntyre then asked for a title shot, a shot that he was given but lost in 26 seconds.

On the last stop before the pay-per-view, Ziggler was a guest on the VIP Lounge. During the segment, the Kent State graduate said he "was in McInyre's head" and without him bringing him back to the company, McIntyre would be an "unemployed loser begging for a handout". Tired of hearing his name being dragged threw the mud - an incensed McIntyre made his way to the ring and told his opponent that he "uses people" to make up for his own short comings and vowed to "hurt" and "maim" him. While McIntyre was being interviewed in the backstage area, later that night, Ziggler ambushed him and a fight ensued until they were pulled apart by road agents.

McIntyre has been confident during this feud, so much so, he allowed Ziggler to pick the stipulation for their match. Ziggler said he will reveal all on the night but unless it's a 3-on-1 Handicap Match - he has no chance. McIntyre has been a dominate champion so far while Ziggler was in this same position last year, during his rivalry with Kofi Kingston, he's a good filler. This will be a great match, a classic power vs speed encounter, but the outcome is predictable.

Winner: Drew McIntyre.

WWE Money In The Bank Preview.

World Wrestling Entertainment will hold it's eleventh Money In The Bank event this Sunday.

The pay-per-view will be historic as it marks the first time matches have been filmed at WWE headquarters, Titan Towers in Stamford Connecticut, and both the men's and women's MITB contest will begin simultaneously.

These matches will begin in the lobby of WWE HQ, the combatants will fight their way on to the roof, climb the corporate ladder and attempt to retrieve the briefcases.
                         

The matches, for the MITB contracts, were filmed a few weeks ago and the rest of the event will broadcast live from the Performance Center in Florida.

Due to unique nature of the MITB matches, this has the potential to be an unforgettable night, six matches have been announced so far.

The Kick-Off show begins at 23:00, British Summer Time, and the main card starts an hour later. It will be broadcast on award winning WWE Network.
                           
Bayley (c) Vs. Tamina (Smackdown Women's Championship Match).

WWE have done a brilliant job in rebuilding Tamina and have made her look like a serious threat to Bayley's 208 day reign as Smackdowm Women's Champion.

Since March - Tamina has left the champion laying in the middle of the ring and on the Smackdown ramp, has pinned Sasha Banks one-on-one match, beaten Naomi in a triple threat match and it took four women's finish maneuvers to eliminate her from the WrestleMania 36 five way title match.

For the majority of her ten year run in the company, Tamina has been used in a bodyguard role but has shone recently - this could be the night she finally steps out of the shadows and wins her first Women's Championship.
                           

However Bayley has proven time and time again that she will do whatever it takes to keep hold the title she has held since last October and will pull out all the stops to retain it. At WrestleMania 36, it seemed Lacey Evans had her beat but Sasha Banks came to her rescue and The Boss will pay at part in this match.

Bayley is unbeaten, in pay-per-view singles matches, since Hell In A Cell last year and has defeated all the women on the blue brand since - with the exception of Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss.

With Bliss being one half of the Women's Tag Team Champions, Bayley's next challenger should be Banks, after Smackdown's resident role model retains her title this Sunday.

Nobody is meaner than Tamina but Bayley is craftier, she always finds a way to win and will do so after a close encounter - with the challenger looking strong in defeat.

Winner: Bayley. 

Drew McIntyre (c) Vs. Seth Rollins (WWE Championship Match).

This feud be began on the April 13th edition of Raw when Seth Rollins attacked Drew McIntyre after the WWE Champion defeated Andrade in the main event of the show.

The follow week, McIntyre addressed Rollins' actions and challenged him to a match at Money In The Bank. The Scottish Psychopath admitted he had a target on his back, as the WWE Champion, and vowed to make Rollins pay for his actions.

Rollins accepted McIntyre's challenge and a contract signing was made a week later to confirm the  bout. During the signing, The Monday Night Messiah claimed he "had to" win the title and that the WWE "needed a leader" that they could be proud of. McIntyre responded by saying "he would not let" Rollins win the title and the former two time WWE Champion was "full of shit". As with the majority of contract signings, violence erupted as McIntyre hit Rollins with a Glasgow Kiss and went for a Claymore Kick but was attacked by Rollins disciple Murphy.
                             
Murphy was the sacrificial lamb, on the go-home edition of Raw, as McIntyre defeated him in the main event.

                         
As soon the match was over, Rollins hit the WWE Champion with a super kick. Rollins picked up the title for a few seconds, put it down, and went for a Stomp on McIntyre - who countered with a Glasgow Kiss and went for a Claymore Kick but Rollins managed to escape before the damage could be done.

Rollins is coming off a loss to Kevin Owens at WrestleMania and needs to rebound here but McIntyre is at the beginning of his title reign and is on a hell of a run - he's won 17 matches in a row including the 2020 Royal Rumble.

Ratings are not the best at the moment, last weeks show only had 1.68million viewers, and that could prompt Vince McMahon to make a change however the boss has always had faith in his "chosen one" and should keep the title on him.

These two are the at top of their game at the moment, this should be a great match, with McIntyre winning and continuing his run with the most prestigious prize in the company.

Winner: Drew McIntyre.

The New Day (c) Vs. The Forgotten Sons Vs. The Miz & John Morrison Vs The Lucha House Party (Smackdown Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match).

Over the past month, these four teams have traded wins over each other - The Lucha House Party beat The Miz & John Morrison (Smackdown 24th April), The Forgotten Sons defeated The New Day in a non title match (Smackdown May 1st) and The New Day won the titles from The Miz and John Morrison in a singles triple threat match (Smackdown April 17th).

The only team that has been booked consistently during the last four weeks is The Forgotten Sons, who are undefeated since making their Smackdown debut on April 10th and could be considered favorites for this match.

Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler have replaced The Revival as that old fashioned ground and pound tag team, they have hammered any team that have stepped in the ring with them, they could walk out of this match with the gold.

The Lucha House Party were 205 Live regulars until they re-emerged on the April 10th edition of Smackdown and have only won once match since returning, they will probably take the pin fall or be submitted in this contest.

The Miz and John Morrison lost the tag team titles three weeks ago so I doubt they will regain them so soon, they are a great team but it might be time for them to part ways and have a singles run.

Kofi Kingston and Big E should have a long run with the titles as it makes little sense if they lose them so soon after becoming eight time champions. Since November 2019, the titles have been swapped between The New Day and The Miz & John Morrison, the division needs long-term champions so the titles can regain some credibility it has lost lately.

Winners: The New Day.

Braun Strowman (c) Vs. 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt (Universal Championship Match).

The Monster Among Men's first title defense is against somebody who he is familiar with, the man who brought him into the WWE, 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt.

In 2015, Braun Strowman was introduced to the WWE Universe as "the black sheep" of The Wyatt Family and went on to fight plenty for battles for his leader.

Half a decade later, things have changed and Strowman is standing on his own two feet as the Universal Champion but Wyatt feels like was "abandoned" by his former team-mate and wants to take back the title he lost at WWE Crown Jewel.

Wyatt has been keen to remind Strowman of their past together. He gifted the Universal Champion the sheep mask he used to wear when they were in The Wyatt Family and in a Firefly Funhouse segment, told the story of 'shepherd' "looking after" a 'black sheep' - detailing how Wyatt helped Strowman in the beginning of his career.

Try as he might, Strowman has refused to play Wyatt's mind games and claims to know his former leader "better than anyone else" - he also stated The Wyatt family was "apart of his past that he's trying to forget" and that he "no longer needs Bray".

Storylines like this often make good matches as the history between these two is self explanatory, we know why they are wrestling each other. This should be a physical encounter, both men hit hard, and Strowman will have to hit his opponent with everything as Wyatt has proven it takes a lot to keep him down.

Strowman's reign is in it's infancy but Wyatt should never have lost the title, to Bill Goldberg, in the first place and will right that wrong at Money In The Bank.

Wyatt claimed "he brought Strowman into this world and will take him out of it", he needs to back up those words or his character is in danger of being permanently damaged.

Winner: 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt.

Daniel Bryan Vs. Otis Vs. King Corbin Vs. AJ Styles Vs. Rey Mysterio Vs Aleister Black (Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match).

The MITB Ladder Match is one of the most lucrative matches in the WWE, as the winner get's a 12 month contract to face any champion, at any time they want.

Only Baron Corbin (now King Corbin), Damien Sandow, John Cena and Braun Strowman have failed to beat the champions they cashed in on - the last two announced ahead of time when they would be handing in their briefcase.

Heels have won the briefcase 11 times, at this event, and this year will follow that pattern.

King Corbin does not have the best win/loss record this year but the Money In The Bank winner usually has a poor run before capturing the briefcase, so the win comes as a surprise. Corbin will look strong and could possible be involved in a high spot but will not win his second MITB Ladder Match.

Otis has been on a roll lately and will be WWE or Universal Champion some day but his issues with Dolph Ziggler, who he beat to get into this match, are far from over. Otis may come close to winning but The Show Off will stop him from doing so. A "stunt", that will see a wrestler fall of the roof of Titan Towers, is reportedly being planned for Sunday - I would not be surprised if Otis is that person.

Rey Mysterio is in the twilight of his career and has never won this match before. He is injury prone and rumors have indicated that contact is expiring soon, it's unlikely WWE will have him win this match if his future is uncertain.

Aleister Black is a dark horse in this match - he has been on a roll since debuting on the main roster and has only lost once during that period. Black would be a very dangerous contract holder, striking a champion out of nowhere with a Black Mass and winning the title of his choice but tonight won't be his night. Like Otis, he will win either Universal or WWE Title one day however it won't be on Sunday.

Daniel Bryan won this match in 2011 but won't repeat the trick nine years later. The leader of the 'Yes Movement' had title matches, against 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt, at Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble and came up short on both occasions - the WWE are going in a different direction now and Bryan has unsettled issues with King Corbin, Cesaro and Nakamura that will occupy his time for the moment.

That leaves the man that will win this match, AJ Styles. As I mentioned earlier, heels do better in this environment and after his resounding loss to The Undertaker, at WrestleMania, Styles needs to rebound strongly - a victory here will be the perfect way to do that. He will hold the briefcase for a while, Drew McIntyre will have a long title reign, but when the time is right - the Phenomenal One will successfully cash in and become a three time WWE Champion.

Winner: AJ Styles.

Nia Jax Vs. Asuka Vs. Shayna Baszler Vs. Dana Brooke Vs. Lacey Evans Vs. Carmella (Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match).

Carmella is the only woman in this match that has won the briefcase before, successful cashing in on Charlotte Flair in 2018. She has the experience of winning two Money In The Bank matches and that gives her an advantage over all the other women in this match but I don't think she will get the job done here. WWE need to add more depth to the women's tag team division and I can see Carmella and Dana Brooke going after those titles soon.

Speaking of Brooke, she has been on the main roster since 2016 and has never been booked as a threat to any title, despite being a great athlete. She deserves a breakout moment and could be involved in a crazy bump in this match but she won't win, a run in the tag team division could be the next step in her career.

Lacey Evans has had a few title matches recently, at the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, but was not able to topple Bayley. She's been a solid face since turning and will become Women's Champion this year but not under these circumstances.

Asuka has been must see television lately, it doesn't matter if she's on commentary or in the ring, everything she is doing is very entertaining. She is a former Smackdown Women's Champion but should have more than the one title reign under her. The Empress of Tomorrow is a candidate to capture the contract - her issues with Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch are well documented and she would love to cash in on her old adversary or move back to Smackdown and take on whoever their champion is at the time.

Other than her impressive display at WWE Elimination Chamber and the destruction of Sarah Logan, Shayna Baszler has had a lukewarm start to life on the red brand. She came up short, in her title match against Becky Lynch at WrestleMania, and on-line reports indicated that Vince McMahon had "given up" on the Queen of Spades. Only time will tell if that is true, a win here will be a indication that McMahon hasn't lost faith in the former two time NXT Women's Champion.

Nia Jax has dominated every woman she has stepped in the ring with, since returning to Raw on March 24th, and will win this match. The Irresistible Force and the current Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch have history together and Jax is one of the few women in the WWE that Lynch has not faced - the feud writes itself.

Winner: Nia Jax.