Theory Wins Money in the Bank: Why This is a Good Move
The Youngest U.S. Champion is the Latest to Win the Famed Ladder Match
The night of Money in the Bank, I was away on a cruise and I could not watch the event. However, at night, I was able to check the results and see who won each match. I noticed Bobby Lashley defeated Theory to win the United States Championship, which was the right decision. To close out the show, I saw that Theory was a last minute addition, throwing Riddle off the ladder, and winning the namesake match. Almost immediately, I briefly checked Twitter and saw the wrestling fanbase upset at this choice.
Believe it or not, this was also a good decision.
I’m not going to say that Theory was the perfect man to win. I would’ve rather seen Riddle or Sami Zayn climb the ladder and guarantee a future World Championship match for themselves. Each man would have told a better story, since both have had their run-ins with WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns recently.
However, isn’t the main focus of Money in the Bank to build new stars?
In my prediction piece, I had a difficult time deciding between Theory and Bobby Lashley for the winner in their United States Championship match. Both Theory and Lashley needed a big win, and on Sunday, they each got one. With Theory rumored for a clash with John Cena somewhere down the line, he needs to be seen as a serious threat. Winning Money in the Bank puts him on the next level.
Plus, who else would have worked in that spot? Seth Rollins? Sure, Rollins is always a main event threat, and recently, he’s seemed to have Roman Reigns’ number. However, Rollins can get a World Title match whenever he pleases. He did not need Money in the Bank. Riddle was a hot name going into the show as a winner, and I see why. He can no longer challenge for the belt as long as Reigns is champion. I long vouched for Sami Zayn to win, as a babyface run with him as World Champion is something I’ve looked forward to for a long time.
The other names (Omos, Madcap Moss, and Sheamus) would not have made much sense, and Drew McIntyre is already getting his championship match at Clash at the Castle. Throwing Riddle off the ladder to win made Theory an instant heat magnet, and one of WWE’s most hated villains. It added fuel to the fire for Riddle, and it gave Theory that massive victory he needed.
On the RAW following Money in the Bank, Theory was on stage sharing a segment with Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar. Not only that, but he will continue his feud with Bobby Lashley, who has become one of the top faces in WWE. Add to that an intriguing feud with Dolph Ziggler, who made his return to WWE.
Theory also got booed heavily on Monday, which is exactly the reaction he’s supposed to be getting every week. His character is flamboyant, arrogant, and similar to many of WWE’s younger stars before him, with Randy Orton specifically coming to mind. Back in the mid 2000s, Orton would brag about how he was the future of WWE and how he was the youngest World Champion in history. There are many similarities between the two, and honestly, I could see Theory reaching World Championship status rather quickly.
With that said, I do not think it is wise to rush Theory to the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship so quickly. Money in the Bank gets him into the title scene almost immediately, and he puts a target on not only Reigns, but whoever may take the title off of the Tribal Chief. I saw Theory as a potential World Championship threat in 2023, not 2022. I’m very curious to see if he’s up to the challenge.
While Theory’s Money in the Bank was not perfect, he achieved his destiny as Vince McMahon’s protege, seizing opportunity for himself. It is also good to know that Money in the Bank will be a focus once again. Even though he was not the first choice of the WWE Universe to win, the story of Theory as Mr. Money in the Bank is a compelling one, and who knows? Perhaps his next selfie will be with the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.