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PITTSBURGH – With the WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view just 48 hours away, WWE COO Triple H placed his bets on The Authority, Dean Ambrose battled with some very bad news and Roman Reigns Speared his way through Randy Orton and Kane.
Triple H kicked off SmackDown with Randy Orton and Seth Rollins. The WWE COO proudly proclaimed that The Authority Era would be remembered for its history-making Money in the Bank pay-per-view this Sunday – citing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match – which he predicted would be won by The Viper. The Game also forecasted that Rollins would be the first Superstar to grab the Money in the Bank briefcase and decide his own destiny.
WWE's 'Most Epic Ladder Match' | Triple H banks on Orton & Rollins
Despite an unabashed confidence from The King of Kings, both Superstars acted more like bickering brothers than potential Money in the Bank winners, showing distrust in each other after The Shield turncoat offered up the possibility that Orton could fail in his quest to become the new “Face of WWE.” The Cerebral Assassin quickly calmed both sides down before gleefully delivering bad news to Dean Ambrose in the form of an upcoming match against Bad News Barrett.
Dean Ambrose and fellow Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match competitor Bad News Barrett traded hard-hitting strikes in SmackDown’s opening bout. With the Money in the Bank briefcase hanging high above the ring, it was The Lunatic Fringe who ultimately stood tall, using Dirty Deeds to silence the British brawler.
Watch Dolph Ziggler go for the briefcase | Bad news for Ambrose
As the smoke cleared, a third Ladder Match participant, Jack Swagger, emerged and attacked the war-torn Barrett – an attack that resulted in a separated shoulder for the tough titleholder. Not one to shy away from a fight, a ravenous Ambrose hurled himself onto The Real American and quickly incorporated the ladder. Just as the unhinged Superstar was getting the better of the writhing Swagger, however, Seth Rollins launched a sneak attack on his former “business associate” that ended with a coldhearted Curb Stomp.
With Naomi joining the SmackDown announce team – faced with the controversy of animosity between her and her fellow Funkadactyl – Divas Champion Paige conquered the outspoken Cameron via the Paige-Turner.
Divas drama nearly erupts | Divas Champion Paige vs. Naomi at Money in the Bank
Moments after the heated contest, the No. 1 contender tried to prevent a potential post-match brawl between the two competitors. However, an unruly Cameron pushed her fellow Funkadactyl into Paige as the champion’s back was turned, which nearly brought the Money in the Bank opponents to blows just two days before their title clash!
Sheamus and Bray Wyatt battled in a one-on-one showdown of WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match participants. But their showdown was destined to erupt into six-Superstar mayhem. Despite The Usos’ arrival at ringside to help stave off a looming assault by Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, the No. 1 contenders to the Tag Team Titles managed to interrupt the contest just as The Celtic Warrior had The Wyatt Family leader in a precarious position.
Huge Tag Team Title Match | The Wyatts escape
Amid the frenzied post-match scuffle, The Wyatt Family patriarch was able to elude further damage by avoiding a potentially head-spinning Brogue Kick from the Irish Superstar.
Alberto Del Rio & Cesaro overcame Rob Van Dam & Dolph Ziggler in a showdown pitting WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match members against Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match participants after the Mexican Superstar forced RVD to tap to his Cross Armbreaker submission.
Crazy customized briefcases | Del Rio feels the Neutralizer
Unfortunately for Del Rio, his post-match bravado didn’t sit well with The Swiss Superstar who did not hesitate to nail his forthcoming Money in the Bank foe with the Neutralizer.
Can anyone stop Rusev’s path of destruction through the WWE Universe? Not if SmackDown is any indication. Sin Cara was unable to slow down The Bulgarian Brute and was forced to tap out to the mammoth Superstar’s Accolade.
Mammoth Money in the Bank matchup | Lana & Rusev take on Washington D.C.
But then, Big E would interrupt the Russian Superstar’s post-match victory celebration with his own spirited speech defending America. And when the Super Athlete attempted to replicate his Raw sneak attack on the former Intercontinental Champion, the patriotic powerhouse knocked the ruthless Russian from the ring.
As a result of their continued animosity for each other, these two behemoths will stand toe-to-toe at Money in the Bank this Sunday, but for now, chalk one up for the U.S.A.
Roman Reigns and Kane provided a preview of this Sunday’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match in an explosive SmackDown main event.
Money in the Bank predictions | Daniel Bryan on Money in the Bank Kickoff
The black-vested Superstar looked to be on the verge of victory after a Superman Punch to the jaw of Demon Kane, only to have Randy Orton arrive and interrupt the bout.
Another Superman Punch helped Reigns escape the stranglehold of The Viper, but the determined Superstar couldn’t avoid a hellacious Chokeslam from The Devil’s Favorite Demon. Despite a moment of uncertainty as the masked Demon brought a ladder into the ring, the 7-footer and first WWE World Heavyweight Champion appeared to be on the same page. That page, however, was quickly torn by Reigns as he speared both sinister Superstars in an explosive Friday night finish.
PITTSBURGH – With the WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view just 48 hours away, WWE COO Triple H placed his bets on The Authority, Dean Ambrose battled with some very bad news and Roman Reigns Speared his way through Randy Orton and Kane.
Triple H kicked off SmackDown with Randy Orton and Seth Rollins. The WWE COO prou...
WWE's 'Most Epic Ladder Match' | Triple H banks on Orton & Rollins
Despite an unabashed confidence from The King of Kings, both Superstars acted more like bickering brothers than potential Money in the Bank winners, showing distrust in each other after The Shield turncoat offered up the possibility that Orton could fail in his quest to become the new “Face of WWE.” The Cerebral Assassin quickly calmed both sides down before gleefully delivering bad news to Dean Ambrose in the form of an upcoming match against Bad News Barrett.
Can anyone stop Rusev’s path of destruction through the WWE Universe? Not if SmackDown is any indication. Sin Cara was unable to slow down The Bulgarian Brute and was forced to tap out to the mammoth Superstar’s Accolade.
Mammoth Money in the Bank matchup | Lana & Rusev take on Washington D.C.
But then, Big E would interrupt the Russian Superstar’s post-match victory celebration with his own spirited speech defending America. And when the Super Athlete attempted to replicate his Raw sneak attack on the former Intercontinental Champion, the patriotic powerhouse knocked the ruthless Russian from the ring.
As a result of their continued animosity for each other, these two behemoths will stand toe-to-toe at Money in the Bank this Sunday, but for now, chalk one up for the U.S.A.
Roman Reigns and Kane provided a preview of this Sunday’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match in an explosive SmackDown main event.
Money in the Bank predictions | Daniel Bryan on Money in the Bank Kickoff
The black-vested Superstar looked to be on the verge of victory after a Superman Punch to the jaw of Demon Kane, only to have Randy Orton arrive and interrupt the bout.
Another Superman Punch helped Reigns escape the stranglehold of The Viper, but the determined Superstar couldn’t avoid a hellacious Chokeslam from The Devil’s Favorite Demon. Despite a moment of uncertainty as the masked Demon brought a ladder into the ring, the 7-footer and first WWE World Heavyweight Champion appeared to be on the same page. That page, however, was quickly torn by Reigns as he speared both sinister Superstars in an explosive Friday night finish.