Tonight’s WWE Money in the Bank from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, will feature two ladder matches to determine who will earn future anytime, anywhere title shots for the next year.
In the men’s match, it will be Seth Rollins vs. Solo Sikoa vs. LA Knight vs. Penta vs. Andrade vs. El Grande Americano.
The women’s match will feature Alexa Bliss vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Giulia vs. Naomi vs. Stephanie Vaquer in a blend of the present vs. the future in the division.
WWE Champion John Cena teams with Logan Paul to take on Cody Rhodes & WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso. It will be Rhodes’ first match since losing the title to Cena at WrestleMania 41.
The main card is rounded out by WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria defending against Becky Lynch. If Lynch loses, she cannot challenge Valkyria again for the title while if Lynch wins, Valkyria must acknowledge her as the better woman.
The pre-show kicks off at 5:30 PM Eastern while the main card begins at 7 PM Eastern.
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Countdown to Money In The Bank
-WWE was so excited about the Money In The Bank Kickoff Show, they started it 30 minutes early!
-Our panel is Micheal Cole, Pat McAffee, Big E and Wade Barrett. Cole and E have on blue and red ties respectively, Barrett went with no tie and McAffee is wearing the same clothes he’s worn for 36 hours.
-in lieu of a commercial break, the feed switched to Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton watching last year’s Women’s Money In The Bank Match. They thought it was pretty good.
-After a Cody and Cena recap video package, Sam Roberts and Megan Morant debated who the winners might be in the upcoming Cena/Paul vs Cody/Jey match. They threw to the panel for more analysis. Also, Barrett had taken off his jacket.
-An interview with WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Lyra Valkyria, aired next. Cathy Kelley mentioned her accomplishments over the year and Valkyria said that losing Becky Lynch’s friendship cast a shadow over her successes. they discussed the stipulation that if Lynch loses, she will never challenge for the Women’s Intercontinental Title again. If Lynch wins, Valkyria will be forced to “raise the bitch’s hand” as Valkyria put it. Valkyria said that she wants Lynch to feel the same embarrassment and pain that she cost Valkyria when she turned on her.
-At 6:14 pm, in the middle of Barrett’s assessment of the Lynch/Valkyria match, the first “We Want Truth!” chant of the night broke out.
-Next, after an acknowledgment of Dream Center, an LA-based charity, LA Knight himself arrived. He presented the team with a WWE Championship Belt and asked who one’s favourite wrestler was. He answered “CM Punk.” Knight offered to put Punk sideplates on the title belt for him.
-Cole, Barrett and McAffee exited to go get ready for the PLE and were replaced by Vic Joseph and Peter Rosenberg. No word on where Big E went. Byron Saxton was also getting crowd predictions. The children he spoke to picked Rhea Ripley to win the women’s Money In The Bank match and Penta or LA Knight to win on the men’s side.
-The Women’s Money In The Bank Briefcase was shown hanging over the ring in the Intuit Dome as the crowd filed in. I presume that means that match will be kicking things off when the show starts.
-Cathy Kelley filled us in on the quality of the ladders being used in tonight’s Money In The Bank matches. She threw back to Joseph and Rosenberg, who were joined by Big E. They made fun of Wade Barrett for taking off his jacket. Good times.
-Predicitons were made and the clock ticked down to the beginning of:
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WWE Money In The Bank 2025
Victor Solomon sang a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The crowd was unsurprisingly, quite into it. After that, Cole ran down the card and the traditional Wrestlers entering and hanging out in the arena footage was shown.
During the intro, it was announced that this even marks 28 years to the day the Micheal Cole did his first commentary. Congrats!
Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Rhea Ripley vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Naomi vs. Giulia vs. Alexa Bliss
There’s too much to say about all the participants of the MITB match this year, so while the entrances are happening, how about a quick fun fact for each?
Rhea Ripley – Has never competed in a Ladder Match. Ever. Like, not even once. Just ask her. She’ll tell you.
Stephanie Vaquer – Held the NXT Women’s and Women’s North American Championship simultaneously.
Roxanne Perez – NXT Female Superstar of The Year 2024.
Naomi – Blacklight artist and multiple-time Champion.
Giulia – Her big move is a scissored armbar crossface she calls “Bianca” (no relation to Bel Air).
Alexa Bliss – Doll and early 2000’s heartthrob collector.
There were some audio issues with the commentary team off the top, but they were back in full force for the explosion of cheers for Rhea Ripley’s entrance.
The bell rang and all six women stared each other down. Quickly, they began punching each other, leading to Vaquer, Giulia and Perez exiting the ring. Naomi introduced the first ladder and Ripley used Bliss as a weapon to take her out.
Everyone traded places and Vaquer, Giulia and Perez ran through a threeway dance until Naomi returned and introduced Perez’ face to the ladder. Bliss snuck up on her though, and laid Naomi and Perez out on a ladder for a flip senton. Giulia returned to ring and set a ladder in the corner. She sent Bliss into it but it fell over and caught her in the back. She shrugged it off as Ripley climbed back into the ring.
Ripley dropkicked Giulia into the corner and tried to set up a ladder. Naomi and Perez tried to stop her, but Ripley dispatched them quickly. Ripley tried to hit a Razor’s Edge on Perez on the ladder, but Perez managed to reverse it and then hit a springboard moonsault onto Ripley on the ladder.
Perez was the first to climb a ladder, but was pulled off by Bliss. Giulia took out Bliss, and she and Perez raced up the ladder. Ripley stirred to life first though, so Giulia and Perez formed a quick alliance and sandwiched her in a ladder, before hitting that ladder with another ladder. Ladder.
Perez and Giulia continued their partnership by stacking half a dozen ladders on Ripley on the outside. While they were doing that, Naomi set up a ladder in the ring, but Vaquer got to her before she could climb it. Vaquer hit a killer dragonscrew on Naomi that looked like it wrenched her knee out of her socket.
Bliss and Perez climbed the ladder and Naomi and Vaquer climbed a second one. Bliss bailed and powerbombed Vaquer off the ladder. She then pushed over both ladders sending everyone flying. Giulia and Perez then dropped Bliss right onto a ladder and turned on each other. That woke up Ripley who threw off the pile of ladders she was under.
Ripley grabbed Perez and threw her into the barricade before confronting Giulia in the ring. Ripley went on a tear, taking out Giulia and Naomi before setting up a ladder on the ring ropes. Ripley threw Giulia into it for good measure and set up a ladder in the ring. She set up another one creating a bridge between the turnbuckle and the ladder. Ripley tried to use it on Vaquer, who countered and dragged her up onto the ladder for some Devil’s Kiss knees.
Vaquer scrambled up the ladder and got her hands on the case, but Perez stopped her from winning the match, much to the crowd’s dismay. Bliss tried to sneak up the other side, but Perez met her at the top and sent her into Naomi. Vaquer grabbed Perez on the ladder bridge, while Naomi set up another bridge opposite to it.
Bliss, Naomi, Vaquer and Perez all climbed up and traded blows, mirroring each other. Suddenly, Bliss and Perez hit dueling Code Reds on the ladder bridges. Giulia leapt in and removed the bridges, trying to take advantage and grab the briefcase. Perez scrambled up and the two traded blows atop the ladder.
Ripley arrived and dragged Giulia off the ladder. Ripley hit a riptide on Giulia and Bliss laid out Perez with a Sister Abigail before the two shared a smile and raced to the top of the ladder. Naomi dashed their hopes by knocking over the ladder though and set herself up to climb the ladder and unhook the briefcase, becoming 2025’s Miss Money In The Bank!
Match Result: Naomi defeated Stephanie Vaquer, Roxanne Perez, Giulia, Rhea Ripley and Alexa Bliss
Wow! Great match and excellent opener. I was surprised by Naomi taking in the win, but the three “newer” talents, Giulia, Vaquer and Perez shone brightly in this match. Bliss looked like she was right in there and Ripley was awesome as always. A good precedent set for the rest of the show!
-Next, highlights were shown from WWE x AAA World’s Collide which happened earlier in the afternoon (Full results here), setting up the upcoming match between Octogon Jr and WWE Intercontinental Champion, Dominik Mysterio.
-After that, a video package recapping the feud between WWE Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso and Gunther was shown. They will face off this Monday on RAW.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio vs Octagon Jr.
A last minute addition to the card, WWE’s “Dirty” Dominik Mystario will defined his title against AAA’s Octagon Jr. For those not familiar with Octagon Jr, his father was an Octagon. Also, he’s one of the premiere Luchadores in Mexico. So this should be an excellent match up.
Speed was the name of the game in this contest, with Mysterio and Octagon exchanging moves at a lightspeed pace early on in the match. For once, a Mysterio was the larger performer in the ring, and Mysterio sent Octagon to the mat. He then tied Octagon’s mask to the rope so that he could beat him up unimpeded.
Mysterio slowed down the pace trying to keep Octagon on his heels, but Octagon didn’t buy it and took over with an armdrag corkscrew. Mysterio followed up with some 3 Amigos, but only got one in before Octagon broke free. Mysterio hit him with a modified driver, knocking Octagon for a loop and onto the ropes.
Octagon ducked a 619 attempt and hit a swinging neckbreaker before heading up top. Liv Morgan provided a distraction and Mysterio hit a 619 and a frog splash in quick succession. 1-2-3 and Mysterio retained his title, but Octagon looked great doing it.
Match Result: Dominik Mysterio defeated Octagon jr.
Lots of fun and a perfect length for a match that was announced just hours before showtime. Octagon looked great and Mysterio gets to continue the heeling that he does so well as Intercontinental Champion.
-Backstage, Chad Gable implored the Creed Brothers to sneak a Fireball branded ladder under the ring for El Grande Americano to “find” during the Men’s Money In The Bank match. Better than a dancing Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I guess.
Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria vs Becky Lynch
Lynch is doing her best to win the Big Show Award this year by flip flopping all over Valkyira. They been friends, champions, enemies, chenemies and more over the last few months. Valkyria for her part appears as confused as the rest of why Becky Lynch just doesn’t seem to want us to like her.
Valkyria took the fight to Lynch so hard it popped the neck strap of her top and the ref had to quickly do it up while Lynch recovered on the outside. Valkyria followed her out and was throw into the steps and barricade for her trouble. This is the aggressive and brutal version of Becky Lynch and she went right for it with a Bex-ploder that got a two count. Valkyria countered with a Manhandle slam for a two-count of her own.
Lynch dropped a series of legs, wearing down Valkyria via neck offense. Lynch chopped her into the ring and Cole reminded us that Lynch is 0-5 in her last five matches, which I thought was interesting. In the ring, both women traded punches.
Valkyria picked up the pace and dropped Lynch with a modifed driver. Lynch fought back though, sending Valkyria into the corner. Fro there, Lynch landed a spiked DDT for another near fall. Lynch sent Valkyria to the corner and went up to the top turnbuckle. Valkyria joined her there and hit a superplex followed by a fisherman’s suplex for a two-count.
Valkyria tried a moonsault, but Lynch dodged it. Lynch locked in an Armbar and wrenched on Valkyria until Valkyria reversed it into a half-crab submission, forcing Lynch to grab a rope break. Valkyria splashed her out to the floor and Lynch tried to get away and recover on the Spanish announce table. Valkyria followed her, and laid her out over the barricade.
Valykyria went up on the announce table and dropped a leg on Lynch over the barricade. Tossing her back in the ring, Valkyria went up to the top turn buckle. Lynch caught her in mid air though and powerbombed her into a pin attempt.
It was here, for, some reason, the crowd started chanting “We want Truth.”
Any way, Lynch tried to get the drop on Valkyria with a Manhandle slam from the top rope, but Valkyria kicked out at two, shocking Lynch. Lynch took her to the outside and tossed Valkyria into the ring post, followed up by a Manhandle slam on the concrete. Valkyria wasn’t out though, and hit a Nightwing on Lynch onto the floor, as the ref counted. At 9, they both scrambled back into the ring.
The two traded blows and rollups and Lynch resorted to a handful of tights and somewhat unexpectedly, won the match and the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title.
Match Result: Becky Lynch defeated Lyra Valkyria
After the match, as per the stipulation, Lynch forced Valkyria to raise her hand in victory. Lynch wouldn’t let it go though and made her do it on all four sides of the ring. She then made Valkyria put the belt on her, but Valkyria had enough and hit a German Nightwing, leaving the new champ writhing in the ring.
A really, really good match somewhat sullied, in my opinion, by the finish. Despite Valkyria winning against Lynch with the roll up, It came completely out of nowhere in this match. I blinked and almost missed it.
Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Seth Rollins vs. Penta vs. El Grande Americano vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Andrade vs. LA Knight
I did it for the Women, so how about some fun facts for the Men’s field as well:
Seth Rollins – Multi-Time WWE Champion, best part of Captain America: Brave New World
Penta – Holds the record for most changes of name without actually changing his name.
El Grande Americano – Delicious.
Solo Sikoa – Flowered necklace and loose shorts enthusiast.
Andrade – Was once an Idolo.
LA Knight – Yeah! Two-time WWE, yeah! United States Champion, yeah!
After the entrances, of which there were many, everyone seemd to have eyes for Seth Rollins. Rollins got attacked and sent to the outside by Penta, Andrade and Knight, who then turned their attention to Sikoa. They did the same to him and sent him out. Americano was next, and Rollins managed to get back into the ring and take out Penta and Andrade.
Everyone was down on the outside and Americano picked up a ladder a dispersed smacks with it to everyone in the match, while the commentary team debated the merits of researching men’s nipples. I’m not kidding, that’s what they were talking about.
Any way, back in the ring, Penta had Americano in the corner and delivered some stiff chops until Rollins hit him in the stomach with a ladder. Americano threw Rollins onto a ladder in a modified flipping Razor’s Edge and set up a ladder in the ring. It was a very short ladder though, so his chances weren’t great and even less so after Siko punched him in the gut.
Knight then sent Sikoa into the ladder and laid him out with some bit shots. Sikoa fought back though and attempted a Samonan Drop on Knight onto the ladder, but Knight reversed it and knocked Sikoa out with a Knight elbow. He then climbed the same too short ladder and Penta joined him at the top.
Rollins, with a bigger ladder, climbed up and Americano went up the other side. Sikoa then set up a third ladder, which Andrade climbed up. They all battled atop their ladders of various sizes, with Penta, Rollins and Andrade falling.
Rollins dumped over Americano’s ladder and delivered a Pedigree to Penta. Sikoa and Rollins remained as the only two standing in the ring. Sikoa went for a Samoan Spike, but Rollins hit a superkick and knocked him down. Rollins set up a ladder in the corner and launched Sikoa into it with a drop toe, followed by a curb stomp.
Rollins grabbed an appropriate sized ladder and set it up in the middle of the ring. Americano climbed up after him and put an ankle lock (taught to him by Chad Gable) on Rollins atop the ladder. Andrade tried to climb up OVER Rollins and hit a Sunset bomb on Americano off the top of the ladder. Penta and Rollins flew backwards into the corner ladder.
Penta and Andrade went to the top of the ladder and Andrade offered Penta a chance to grab the briefcase, seemingly out of respect. Penta, having never seen wrestling apparently, tried to do it and Andrade immediately punched him in the stomach.
Andrade set up a ladder bridge to the corner and climbed up on top of it with Penta. He tried tho spulex Penta, but Penta blocked it and hit a Mexican Destroyer on the the ladder, wrenching Andrade’s neck. Sikoa leapt into the ring, taking out Penta and mocking him, instead of climbing the ladder. That gave Knight an opening to pull Sikoa out of the ring and into the barricade.
Knight set up a ladder bridge between the ring and barricade and then threw Sikoa into the steps. Knight climbed into the ring, but Penta met him with a Destroyer and started climbling the ladder. Americano suplexed him off the ladder and then did the same to Rollins, and then Knight, and then Andrade.
Rollins charged Americano, but the alleged luchadore dodged and send Rollins into the ladder. Americano then went under the ring and got the Official Fireball Branded Ladder that the Creed Brothers had hidden under there. Sadly, it did not shoot fireballs like I’d hoped, but Americano was able to hit everyone with it.
Americano climbed, and so did Penta. The two fought on top of the Fireball Ladder (TM) and Penta sent him packing, only to be replaced by Rollins. Americano stashed a steel plate in his mask on the outside, while Rollins and Penta fought atop the Fireball Ladder. Rollins fell, and Penta was left alone atop the ladder. Americano scrambled up another ladder, jumped onto a second ladder and then climbed up to headbutt Penta with the steel plate. Americano then went for the briefcase, but Knight pulled him off.
Rollins was left alone in the ring and climbed the Fireball Ladder while Heyman urged him on. Andrade tried to climb up as well but Rollins sent him down. Penta arrived, and Andrade pulled Rollins off. Penta and Andrade fought at the top of the ladder. Siko raced up and Andrade was forced to hang from the briefcase for a moment. Penta then climbed a different ladder, while Rollins called for backup.
Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed came out and cleaned house, taking out Americano, then Knight, then Andrade and Penta. Breakker speared Knight on the outside and Reed hit a Tsunami from the top rope on Andrade. Suddenly, Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo arrived and faced off against Breakker and Reed.
The four beasts brawled on the outside, with Mateo getting speared through the barricade by Breakker. Fatu hit a pop up Samoan Drop followed by a Suicide Dive onto Reed. Fatu put Sikoa back in the ring and set up a ladder for him. Sikoa noticed that the ladder was too short (why do they even have those?) and Fatu grabbed a proper-sized ladder, guarding it as Sikoa tried to get the briefcase.
Just as Sikoa’s hand touched it, Fatu grabbed his ankle and declared “I HATE YOU” pulling him down and superkicking him. He hit a moonsault on Sikoa, getting revenge for Sikoa making fun of him behind his back on Smackdown last night. Fatu slammed Sikoa through that bridge that Knight had set up earlier, removing him from contention and possibly being able to walk again.
Rollins grabbed another Official Fireball Ladder ™ and set it up in the middle of the ring. No one was stirring, not even a mouse. Rollins climbed the ladder and almost had it, but Knight pulled him down and hit a lariat. Knight raced up the ladder, but Rollins recoverd and through him headfirst into the Fireball Ladder and then delivered a Curb Stomp.
Rollins then climbed the ladder, grabbed the briefcase and became Mr Money In The Bank for the second time in his career.
Match Result: Seth Rollins defeated Penta, El Grande Americano, Solo Sikoa, Andrade and LA Knight
That was an absolutely exhausting match to watch, but it was really, really good! I loved the interference from Sikoa’s crew and Rollins’ crew. Rollins showed himself to be the top guy he is, Knight was stellar as always and Penta and Andrade were excellent. Americano did everything he needed to and the tension was there through the whole match. Excellent effort by all!
-Next up, WWE made it official that Wrestlemania will be returning to Las Vegas next year and offered a QR code for early ticket registration.
WWE Champion John Cena and Logan Paul vs. Cody Rhodes and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso
John Cena is hellbent on ruining wrestling. Logan Paul is hellbent on ruining everything else. In response to their call for team names, I’d have just gone with “the worst” in lowercase letters to piss off the grammar police. Tonight they take on Yeeting-enthusiast and World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso and his partner, guy-who-totally-returns-his-cart-to-the-designated-area at Costco, Cody Rhodes.
After the entrances and introductions, the bell was stuck and after some discussion, Rhodes and Paul kicked things off. Paul immediately tagged in Cena who locked up with Rhodes. Quickly, Paul was tagged back in, as Cena attempted to ruin tagging.
Rhodes got Paul up in a vertical suplex and stalled him for about 30 seconds. From there, Uso asked for a tag and came in to take on Paul. Paul met him with a big right hand, knocking Uso off his feet. He followed it up with two more for good measure.
Uso came back with a pop up neckbreaker and sent the dazed Paul into the corner to yeet all over him. Paul fought back with a blockbuster though and got the first nearfall of the match. Cena then jumped in and rained punches down on Uso. Cena sent Uso into the corner and distracted the Ref so Paul could get a few shots in.
Uso reversed the next whip and sent Cena into the corner. He reached for a tag, but Paul got one first and pulled him back into the center of the ring for a gutwrench slam. Paul dragged Uso to his and Cena’s corner, isolating him from Rhodes. Rhodes paced on the ring apron (the most anxious part of the ring) while Cena delivered a lariat to Uso. Cena then bowed (or curtsied) to the crowd.
Cena slowly picked Uso apart, countering everything Uso could dig up and delivering a begrudging Five-Knuckle Shuffle. Uso popped up and put a sleeper on Cena, with Paul way to far away to make a tag. Cena backed him into the corner though, squashing him and tagging Paul before Uso could get to Rhodes.
Paul hit a big leg drop onto Uso after mugging for the crowd. Paul prevented another tag, again isolating Uso away from Rhodes. Cena tagged in and ran over to give Rhodes a cheap shot before turning back to Uso. While the Ref calmed Rhodes down, Cena and Paul double teamed Uso. Cena went for another cheap shot on Rhodes, but he saw it coming this time and blocked it, sending Cena back to Uso with a punch. Paul tagged himself back in, but Cena didn’t like it, so he tagged HIMSELF back in. The two shoved each other over who should be tagged in, giving Uso a chance to crawl over for a hot tag to Rhodes.
Rhodes jumped in and cleared out Cena and Paul. He hit a Cody Cutter on Cena and dumped Paul to the floor to receive a suicide dive. Rhodes hit Cena with a big missile dropkick, but on the bounce back Paul hit Rhodes in the face, giving Cena a chance to hit an AA and almost get a pin before Uso broke itup.
Rhodes grabbed Cena and landed a CrossRhodes. Paul went up top for a splash, but missed and hit Cena by accident. Then Uso hit a spear on Paul and everyone was laid out in the middle of the ring.
Cena and Uso got to their feet and began exchanging blows. Cena tried for an AA but got a superkick instead. Paul took Cena’s place and he and Uso exchanged punches. Rhodes came to the rescue, hammering Paul with jabs. Paul hit him in the gut before the Bionic Elbow and hit a Paulverizer. Instead of a cover though, Paul went up top, mugging to the drone cameras. That gave Rhodes and chance to superplex him while still holding the camera! Uso hit an Uso splash next and Paul released the drone.
Cena snuck in an AA on Uso and then one on Rhodes, but Rhodes kicked out. Cena took Rhodes to the outside and cleared an announce table. He cleared a second one and put Rhodes on the first one. Cena put Rhodes up for an AA, but Rhodes wiggled free in time for Uso to run across the tables and spear Cena.
Paul then hit a Moonasult from the ring onto Uso on the table, crushing them both! Cena and Rhodes crawled back into the ring, Cena with the Championship belt in hand. Cena clocked Rhodes with the belt and a masked man entered the ring and speared Cena. IT WAS R-TRUTH!!!! Truth is back!!!
He left through the crowd, leaving Cena knocked cold in the middle of the ring. Rhodes staggered up and hit a CrossRhodes on Cena to get the pin and the win for his team!
Match Result: Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso defeated Logan Paul and John Cena
WOW! HOT DAMN! That was an exciting match, but the Truth reveal at then was spectacular! I honestly stood up in my office and exclaimed “TRUTH!!!” to the no one that was in there with me. What a great ending to a really good show!! There is no other outlet or entertainment that can do a surprise like that the way Pro Wrestling can and I am here for it!
