WWE Money In The Bank 2020: Drew McIntyre Winning And 5 Smart Booking Decisions

WWE Money in the Bank 2020 is highlighted by two marquee titles, Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship and Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE title, and a pair of MITB latter matches in which six male and six female participants will simultaneously “climb the corporate ladder” in an attempt to capture the coveted briefcase.

The unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic have caused WWE to think outside-the-box for this pay-per-view, which is typically one of the most anticipated events of the year. While most of the event will air from the Performance Center, WWE’s historically low viewership for Raw and SmackDown demonstrates that airing audience-less shows from the PC simply isn’t cutting it. Thus, WWE fans will be treated to another bizarre match concept, the “Climb the Corporate Ladder” match, following the recent success of the Boneyard and Firefly Fun House matches at WrestleMania 36.

As WWE has been without a slew of major stars in recent weeks, a list that includes Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, Kevin Owens and Edge, WWE is trying out some different techniques—like pushing new talent—in an attempt to end its ratings woes. At Money in the Bank, WWE can make a few major creative moves that will do just that and potentially set up the company for future success during what is typically a down period for pro wrestling each year.

Here are five smart booking decisions WWE must make at Money in the Bank 2020.

Bayley Puts Tamina In Her Rearview Mirror For Good

The ongoing SmackDown Women’s Championship rivalry between Bayley and Tamina has been one of the most underwhelming women’s title feuds WWE has put on in years.

Putting a heel Bayley against a typically villainous Tamina (is she supposed to be a babyface now?), who has largely been a lower card performer throughout her career, simply hasn’t been exciting and has crossed over into downright boring at times. Thus, Money in the Bank could and should represent the end of this rivalry, with Bayley picking up the clean victory and moving on to a new opponent, whoever that may be (more on that later), for a rivalry that may actually get fans excited about SmackDown’s women’s division.

As the blue brand’s viewership continues to tank with no signs of that changing, WWE needs to move on from mundane feuds like this that don’t generate much fan interest and instead must craft more interesting narratives for its female stars. The only way to accomplish that goal is for Bayley to soundly defeat Tamina and move on to bigger and better things.

Braun Strowman Retains His Title

WWE has booked itself into a corner with Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt, a match that neither superstar should lose, but if there is a lesser of two evils here, it’s “The Monster Among Men” retaining the Universal title.

Though the merchandise-moving Wyatt may be even more well-liked than Strowman these days, a title reign that lasts barely a month for Strowman would be just the latest poor booking decision when it comes to the gargantuan superstar, who has been plagued by questionable creative moves throughout his career. Wyatt’s character was also really hit hard by that unnecessary loss to Goldberg at Super ShowDown earlier this year, but WWE has an “out” at Money in the Bank, where Wyatt will be wrestling as his creepy Mr. Rogers-like character rather than “The Fiend.”

While “The Fiend” alter-ego should never lose again (or at least not anytime soon), Wyatt can take the loss—whether cheaply or cleanly—at Money in the Bank without his character being as hampered as much as Strowman would be if he suffers another big “L.”

Drew McIntyre Bests Seth Rollins

The lack of heel opponents for Drew McIntyre has been made quite obvious by the way he’s easily mowed through Zelina Vega’s new villainous stable and the fact that he’s feuding with Seth Rollins, who just lost to Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 36.

Rollins isn’t a bad first feud for McIntyre, but the timing of this rivalry isn’t great coming off Rollins’ Mania loss to Owens. Judging by Raw’s plummeting ratings, interest in this rivalry isn’t that high either, and there has been concern among fans that Vince McMahon will pull the plug on McIntyre’s push after he blamed Raw’s plummeting viewership on its new stars. WWE, however, is clearly firmly committed to the push of McIntyre—as it should be—and the first Scottish world champion in company history has been incredibly dominant over the past few months no matter who he’s faced.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with Rollins winning the title, that would completely stop McIntyre’s momentum dead in its tracks, and it would revert Raw right back to where it was last year when Rollins was a poorly drawing world champion.

Aleister Black Wins The Men’s Money In The Bank Match

This year’s men’s Money in the Bank match had an obvious favorite in Aleister Black—that was until AJ Styles returned on last week’s Raw and earned his way into the bout.

For all the mistakes that WWE’s creative team has made in recent years, Black has been pushed surprisingly well during his tenure on the main roster, where he’s only lost one singles match, ironically to Styles, and did so controversially. Black was at one point considered to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36, and though that obviously didn’t happen, he continues to built up as one of WWE’s most unstoppable superstars, a reality that shouldn’t be changed by the sudden return of “The Phenomenal One.”

In looking at the men’s MITB field, there are multiple names—like Daniel Bryan and Rey Mysterio—who don’t need to win the coveted briefcase at this stage of their careers while others, like Baron Corbin, simply haven’t been positioned for that spot. Styles now seems to be the obvious frontrunner to win the match, but the up-and-coming Black is the right choice at a time when WWE badly needs to create new stars.

Asuka Wins The Women’s Money In The Bank Match

Sasha Banks vs. Bayley was once penciled in for WrestleMania 36 until WWE chose to hold off on that dream bout because it didn’t have enough time to give the rivalry a proper build.

It looked like WWE may start the build to the match by having Banks win the MITB briefcase, but she is, surprisingly, not even in the match. In looking at the female stars who will actually be in the bout, it’s clear that each member of Raw’s trio of women—Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax and Asuka—has a much better shot of winning it whereas SmackDown’s Lacey Evans, Carmella and Dana Brooke all appear to be long shots.

WWE very well may have spoiled the outcome of this bout when it was mentioned on last week’s Raw that Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch would confront the winner of the match on this week’s Raw. So, will it be Baszler, Asuka or Jax? Given that Jax has looked below average in every phase of the game since her recent return while McMahon reportedly isn’t the biggest Baszler fan, Asuka is the clear choice.

McMahon is apparently a huge supporter of Asuka these days, and as Baszler fails to get over while Jax continues to deliver subpar performances, now is the right time to reestablish her as a dominant singles star.