In the shadow of John Cena’s retirement announcement, Money in the Bank is turbulent. WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is pinned by his new arch-rival
Legend John Cena’s retirement announcement was the biggest news of the night – but the in-ring action at WWE Money in the Bank offered plenty too.
At the end of the spectacle in Toronto, the up-and-coming Solo Sikoa made a big statement: The new leader of the Bloodline defeated WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Cena’s old arch-rival Randy Orton with his clan – and positioned himself as the new top challenger for the league’s most important belt with a pinfall over Rhodes.
WWE Money in the Bank: Solo Sikoa pins Cody Rhodes
Sikoa, with the help of his new enforcer Jacob Fatu, pinned Rhodes with his Samoan Spike finisher to put himself in position for a WWE title match – the summer highlight SummerSlam on Aug. 4 at Cleveland’s NFL Stadium looms.
The 31-year-old Sikoa – younger brother of Jimmy and Jey Uso – had taken control of the Bloodline in recent months since Roman Reigns was dethroned by Rhodes at WrestleMania and hasn’t been seen in WWE since.
The long-running storyline reached new heights last week when Sikoa turned on Reigns’ longtime confidant Paul Heyman and attacked him after he failed to recognize Sikoa’s leadership role. The looming title match against Rhodes now also raises the question of whether it will lead to Reigns’ comeback.
Drew McIntyre’s cash-in goes awry because of CM Punk
The winners of the titular Money in the Bank ladder matches were top talent Tiffany Stratton and Drew McIntyrre
McIntyre – as announced Monday on RAW – immediately cashed in his right to a World Title match at any point over the next 365 days, making a Triple Threat Match out of the later-scheduled title match between World Champ Damian Priest and former title-holder Seth Rollins.
McIntyre’s plan to exact revenge for Priest’s cash-in at WrestleMania was foiled by CM Punk, however, who once again spoiled the Scotsman’s tour with an attack – who, according to the story, was responsible for extending Punk’s injury layoff – and ensured that Priest retained the title, which Punk then took a look at himself. McIntyre is now rid of the Money in the Bank briefcase, having officially cashed it in before Punk intervened
After the match, there was also an exchange between Punk and Rollins, whose actions had also cost Punk the title. Priest will face Austrian phenom Gunther, the winner of the King of the Ring tournament, at SummerSlam.
In another match, Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn defended his title against young star Bron Breakker. The son of WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner – recently ennobled by former megastar Hulk Hogan as a potential heir to himself and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – will have to wait for his first main roster title for the time being
