Here's the image.
From a betting perspective, two of the favourties - Drew McIntyre (5/2 FAV Sky Bet) and Andrade (7/2 2nd FAV Sky Bet) - are included in the image.
The other names that are appear in it are Cesaro (Unavailable at the time of writing*), Rey Mysterio (66/1 Sky Bet), Ricochet (25/1 Sky Bet), Aleister Black (28/1 Sky Bet) and Lars Sullivan (20/1 Sky Bet).
As I stated above, I don't know where this image has originated from. Just by looking at it, it seems Raw heavy with four of the seven participants representing the red brand. It's even more glaring if you consider that Andrade and Aleister Black were meant to have been with Raw before being shifted to Smackdown earlier this week.
Cesaro was a wrestler who was moved over to Raw this week and Lars Sullivan went from Raw to Smackdown by way of a shakeup in the midst of the Superstar Shakeup.
The point I am trying to make is, if this is genuine, I'd like to know when it was created because I feel that - with so many changes made this week - it's worth questioning whether this lineup will end up being the confirmed participants.
As some of you might be aware, I have been running with an idea that this year's winner should come from Smackdown just so the writers have a potential cash-in taking place on one of the Smackdown shows when the programme moves over to Fox later this year. If I were to go by the wrestlers on the list above, this should mean Andrade, Aleister Black and Lars Sullivan are on my radar.
However, with Andrade and Black being moved from Raw earlier this week and despite the fact I have already bet on them before this lineup came out, I am concerned that what ever plans the company had for either wrestler may not have included a run as Mr. Money in the Bank. Or - if they had a plan for either guy - these plans could potentially have changed now that they're been sent back to Smackdown (or in Black's case confirmed for Smackdown after being confirmed as a Raw wrestler).
Even though he is the bookie's and punters' favourite, I have faded Drew McIntyre.
I feel that the Scot doesn't need the Money in the Bank contract to enter into title programs considering he has been in and out of feuds with the current Universal Champion - Seth Rollins - for a while.
I am happy with the lineup, though.
In my opinion, the Money in the Bank ladder match winner should always be a person who has not reached the top tier as a challenger or titleholder. The only name on the list who doesn't fit my ideology of what a MITB winner should be is Rey Mysterio. All of the other men fit. Even McIntyre does, but - like I've already stated - he can easily move into a title program after Money in the Bank and that's why I'd like to see someone other than the fave walk away with the briefcase.
*4:30PM Update: Cesaro is now available at 25/1.
I think Andrade will be in a IC title feud with Balor.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will be Black since he's not even a singles wrestler yet. Lars is an option but it's way too soon for him.
With Owens and Roman not in MITB ladder match, it's tough to believe a Smackdown guy will win now. IMO Owens was the perfect guy to win
Now realistically, Drew is the favourite.
I can see him getting interfered in Styles vs Rollins match but AJ takes him outside and Rollins takes the advantage of the distraction. Therefore, Styles vs McIntyre feud starts. Extreme Rules is also advertising this match.