The Stomping Ground: Why The WWE Title MITB Ladder Match Works For Me (Cena, Jericho)

Columns, Top Story

Don’t you love those “blink and you’ll miss it” moments?

We had one here at the Pulse on Tuesday when our very own Kyle Fitta pulled a vanishing act with his Chris Benoit-themed column, and we had another one this past Monday night when Vickie Guerrero announced that only former WWE Champions were invited to this year’s Raw Money in the Bank ladder match. Granted, plenty of our esteemed faithful picked up on the fact that it doesn’t allow fresh talent to get pushed with the briefcase, but since when does that matter anymore? Look at the current state of the roster. You’ve got suspended superstars (Orton, the returning Jericho and Mysterio), injured athletes (Barrett, DiBiase, Bourne, R-Truth), and floundering flotsam (McIntyre, Kingston, Ryder, Swagger). Some wrestlers are off filming (The Miz, Eve) and others have only just debuted (Tensai, Ryback, Sandow).

That’s slim pickings as far as I’m concerned, because that leaves us with Kane, Chris Jericho, Alberto del Rio, Big Show, John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Christian, and Santino Marella. Christian and Rhodes are still feuding over the Intercontinental Championship, Ziggler and del Rio are after Sheamus, and Bryan gets CM Punk at the next PPV. That basically leaves you with the four chosen on Monday night to represent Raw at the PPV, doesn’t it?

Or would you rather see David Otunga, Heath Slater, and Jack Swagger in the briefcase hunt? Sure, there are PLENTY of guys being wasted in dark matches or not even on the card at all, but without the proper build, there’s no reason to cheer for any of them. But, I have a better reason for why the competitors in the WWE Championship MITB match works to our benefit:

A better title match at Summerslam.

In the Raw ladder match, we have John Cena, Big Show, Kane, and Chris Jericho. On paper that seems counterproductive, as the MITB match has always been used to elevate midcarders to main event status. Sure, there have been some let-downs (Punk’s early runs with the title, Swagger, The Miz, Mr. Kennedy) in the past, but it was all based on trial and error. With the roster as depleted as it is these days, there’s not much that can be done; hence the inclusion of four former champions. Remember how we recently learned that the title match at Summerslam might be Cena and Punk? If the company chooses to go the route I’m hoping for, we could avoid that match altogether AND keep Cena out of the main event.

We know that Kane is involved in the match as an after-thought. Having already won the MITB match before and been given his “Thank You” title run, the Big Red Machine is not a favorite to win. Big Show and Cena are in the match to prevent one another from winning…which is why neither one is going to grab the briefcase. That leaves Jericho, innovator of the MITB concept and more deserved winner of said match.

With Jericho’s victory, he can finally earn one more shot at the WWE Championship, and would likely cash in at Summerslam. With CM Punk and Daniel Bryan currently battling over the title, I expect that feud to continue and involve Jericho in the match. Think about it: what have been Punk’s top feuds this first half of the year?

Bryan.

Jericho.

Now imagine the three in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship at Summerslam.

Awesome, right?

And, with Triple H vs Brock Lesnar as the marquee match-up, that leaves Cena to contend with Big Show. Out of the main event slot, and out of the title hunt.

A win/win for everybody.

The Smackdown MITB match, if the WWE is daring enough, could test the waters with some fresh blood like Sandow, Tyson Kidd, and Hunico. It wouldn’t hurt the ratings any more than they’ve already collapsed and could add some intrigue if a relative newcomer secures the briefcase in a big “What If?” scenario.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Since February of 2011, "The Master of Smarkasm" Mike Gojira has tickled the funny bones of Inside Pulse readers with his insightful comedy, timely wit, and irreverent musings on the world of professional wrestling. Catch his insanely popular column, The Stomping Ground, whenever he feels like posting a new edition (hey, I've earned the right). He is also totally modest and doesn't know the meaning of hyperbole.