WWE Money in the Bank 2017 Kickoff
Event Date: June 18, 2017
aired live on the WWE Network
#MITB
City: St. Louis, MO
Venue: Scottrade Center
Panel: Renee Young, Sam Roberts, Booker T
Social Media Lounge: Dasha Fuentes
Commentary: Tom Phillips, JBL, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Brand: SmackDown Live
Panel
Renee introduces the panel and begins by briefly talking about tongiht’s women’s ladder match. She also introduces Dasha Fuentes in the Social Media Lounge who will be joined later tonight by The Usos.
Video
A video package highlighting the continuing evolution of the women’s division with tonight’s first women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Panel
Naomi joins the panel. Naomi says the feeling in the back is intense and everyone is excited for tonight. Roberts says Naomi can’t be happy about someone getting a Money in the Bank contract for her title. Naomi says she’s ready for the challenge. Booker asks Naomi how she feels about facing Lana, someone that she can’t study. Naomi isn’t scared, but she won’t take Lana lightly.
Renee asks Naomi about the women coming to WWE in the Mae Young tournament and Roberts wonders if a precedent has been set for anyone to come onto SmackDown and challenge for the title. Booker also presses Naomi when she says you can’t prepare for a MitB cash-in. Naomi responds by saying it’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up.
Booker picks Tamina to win the MitB match, Roberts picks Charlotte, Naomi doesn’t pick anyone.
Social Media Lounge
The Usos join Dasha Fuentes to answer questions from fans. The Usos say “Day One Ish” is the struggle you face with someone every day. They also say they feel like they have New Day’s number. The finish up by listing some teams throughout history that they’d love to face.
Panel
Booker T love the attitude of The Usos and thinks they will make history in the pro wrestling business. Roberts thinks New Day is taking The Usos too lightly ever since their appearance on SmackDown live. Booker T picks The Usos, Roberts kind of picks both teams depending on the attitude of New Day.
Video
Clips of Lana’s SmackDown debut and how she worked her way into a title match.
Panel
Renee wonders how Naomi can prepare for Lana, but Booker says you do what you have to do to get ready for any possibility. Roberts wonders why Naomi even agreed to the match in the first place. Booker and Renee pick Naomi, Roberts picks Lana.
Video
A promo package for Jinder Mahal as “The Modern Day Maharaja” and his feud with Randy Orton.
Panel
Renee wonders about Mahal saying that Orton isn’t at his best right now. Roberts thinks there’s something to that statement. Booker thinks Mahal is still out to prove something, and that makes him dangerous. Roberts thinks Mahal has done a lot of talking and not a lot of fighting since he’s been champ. Booker picks Mahal, Roberts and Renee pick Orton.
Video
A commercial for Great Balls of Fire featuring Samoa Joe versus Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title.
Match 1
The Colons vs Hype Bros
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Zack Ryder pins Primo after a Hype Ryder
Time: 7:21 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was a fun, energetic match. Rawley started with his usual frantic energy, then Ryder got isolated by The Colons. The middle portion of the match slowed down as the Colons worked over Ryder’s knee, but a hot tag towards the end had Rawley going crazy. I liked it. It wasn’t too one-sided, though I don’t think the winner of the match was ever really in doubt.
Video
Buildup for the men’s Money in the Bank match.
Panel
Booker T says it’s drive, determination, and will that is needed to win Money in the Bank. Roberts talks about how the match can make your career, Booker talks about how it can also break you. Booker picks Styles and Roberts picks Zayn.
Show Impressions
This was a fine Kickoff. I liked the match and the talking segments were entertaining enough to have on in the background while you’re getting ready for the show.
Match of the Night
The Colons vs Hype Bros
Again, this was fun. I actually didn’t mind Rawley in this match. He’s better in small doses like this when he tags in and out.
>> View the Recap & Review for Money in the Bank 2017. >>