Welcome back, little Stingers, to the first new A View From the Rafters since May. Would the grand return be a real column? Of course not, it’s a lazy and easy Preview & Predictions one. Is that what AVFR has become? Maybe, maybe not, but it is what it is this time out. So, from my loft up in the rafters of Titanquisitor Hall, let’s waste no more time.
Tomorrow night, the World Wrestling Federation presents Money in the Bank from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, and while I’ve never been particularly fond of the concept behind this event, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The WWF has assembled a pretty solid five-match card featuring two World Championship defenses, a couple of potentially entertaining ladder matches, and a heavyweight collision that might end up stealing the show. On paper, there isn’t much here to complain about, although I’m sure I’ll find something before the night is over.
My biggest problem with Money in the Bank has always been the briefcase itself. I’ve never liked the idea of somebody carrying around a guaranteed championship opportunity that can be cashed in whenever the champion is vulnerable. It cheapens the championship chase, and in some cases, makes the eventual champion look like an opportunist rather than somebody who earned his place at the top. Still, the concept isn’t going anywhere, and the ladder matches usually deliver enough excitement to justify their existence.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the predictions.
Roxanne Perez vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Sol Ruca vs. Lash Legend vs. Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne
There are several interesting possibilities in the women’s ladder match, and I wouldn’t be particularly surprised if the WWF decided to go in a different direction than I’m expecting. Roxanne Perez would make a perfectly reasonable winner, while Sol Ruca has the kind of athletic ability that could make her the standout performer of the entire match. Lash Legend brings a different physical presence to the proceedings, and both Lola Vice and Jacy Jayne have something to gain from a strong showing.
Nevertheless, my money is on Tiffany Stratton. She has already demonstrated that she belongs in the upper echelon of the women’s division, and she’s exactly the sort of personality who could make carrying the briefcase entertaining. There’s a certain arrogance that comes with being able to remind everyone that you’ve got a championship opportunity waiting whenever you feel like using it, and Tiffany has the character to make that work without needing to reinvent herself.
I expect plenty of dangerous-looking spots, a few moments where somebody appears to have the match won before getting knocked off the ladder, and the usual assortment of chaos that accompanies these things. Hopefully, they’ll remember that the object is to retrieve the briefcase rather than spend twenty minutes arranging furniture.
Prediction: Tiffany Stratton
CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens vs. Trick Williams vs. Penta vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Bron Breakker
The men’s ladder match has an interesting combination of established stars and younger talent, which should make for some entertaining exchanges. CM Punk and Kevin Owens have enough experience to hold the entire thing together, while Penta and Je’Von Evans can provide the kind of spectacular offense that tends to define these matches. Trick Williams is another intriguing possibility, especially considering how much a victory would do for his standing in the company.
However, Bron Breakker is my pick, and frankly, I think he’s the most logical choice. Breakker has the size, intensity, athleticism, and presence of somebody who should eventually be standing at the top of the WWF. Giving him the briefcase would put him one step closer to that position without requiring the company to pull the trigger on a championship victory immediately.
There is something appealing about the idea of a champion knowing that Bron Breakker could come charging down the aisle at any moment. Unlike some previous briefcase holders, Breakker doesn’t need to sneak around looking for an exhausted opponent. He looks perfectly capable of walking up to the champion, announcing his intentions, and beating the hell out of him. Of course this is WWF we’re talking about, so even if Breakker does win it, they’d probably have him cash in cheaply just like everyone else.
I’d much rather see him win the championship in a proper match, but if we’re going to have a Money in the Bank winner, we might as well make it somebody with genuine main-event potential.
Prediction: Bron Breakker
Oba Femi vs. Bronson Reed
Sometimes pro wrestling doesn’t need a complicated storyline, a championship, or a ridiculous stipulation. Sometimes all you need is two big men stepping into the ring and beating the hell out of each other. That’s precisely what we’ve got with Oba Femi and Bronson Reed, and I suspect this could be one of the most enjoyable matches of the evening.
Reed is a dangerous opponent who can overwhelm people with his size and power, but Oba Femi has the kind of physical presence that makes him look like a legitimate threat to just about anybody on the roster. More importantly, he carries himself like somebody who belongs in the ring with the biggest names in the company.
I wouldn’t be surprised if The Vision became involved in some capacity, which could complicate matters, but I’m hoping the WWF allows these two to settle things primarily between the ropes. There’s no reason to overthink this one. Let them collide, let the ring shake, and let the better man win.
I believe that man will be Oba Femi.
Prediction: Oba Femi
WWF Women’s World Championship — Triple Threat Match
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan
Of the five matches on the card, this might have the strongest chance of delivering the best traditional wrestling contest, provided it doesn’t become another exercise in outside interference and unnecessary distractions.
Stephanie Vaquer has the opportunity to further establish herself as a legitimate champion against two recognizable opponents, and defeating Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan in the same match would certainly help accomplish that. Becky brings experience and credibility, while Liv is perfectly capable of capitalizing on the unpredictable nature of a Triple Threat Match.
That’s also what makes this one difficult to predict. The champion doesn’t have to be pinned to lose her title, and all it takes is one competitor being in the right place at the right time to change the outcome.
Even so, I don’t believe Vaquer’s championship reign needs to end here. There is considerably more value in allowing her to continue building momentum than in making another title change simply for the sake of surprising the audience.
Prediction: Stephanie Vaquer retains
WWF World Heavyweight Championship
Roman Reigns (c) vs. LA Knight
LA Knight has spent years proving that he can connect with an audience, and there’s no denying that the man has earned his opportunity to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately for Knight, earning an opportunity and actually defeating Roman Reigns are two entirely different propositions.
Reigns remains one of the biggest attractions in professional wrestling, and regardless of how anybody feels about his character or his lengthy history in the championship picture, he brings an undeniable sense of importance to a main event. A victory over Roman would be enormous for Knight, but I don’t see the WWF making that decision tomorrow night.
I expect Knight to get enough offense to make the audience believe an upset is possible, and there will probably be at least one near fall that has everybody convinced we’re witnessing a title change. Ultimately, though, I think Reigns finds a way to survive and walks out of New Orleans with his championship intact.
Prediction: Roman Reigns retains
Money in the Bank 2026 looks like a good show, even if I’m still not sold on the event’s central gimmick. The two ladder matches should provide plenty of excitement, Vaquer has an opportunity to deliver another strong championship performance, and Oba Femi against Bronson Reed might be the match I’m most looking forward to watching.
As for the winners, I’m sticking with Tiffany Stratton, Bron Breakker, Oba Femi, Stephanie Vaquer, and Roman Reigns. Five matches, five predictions, and hopefully a few hours of entertaining professional wrestling.
Of course, there’s one small scheduling problem. Alabama and Georgia are playing tomorrow night, and when the Crimson Tide takes the field, Money in the Bank is getting turned off and resumed later. I love wrestling, and I think this is a fun card, but not even the chaos of ladder matches, Stephanie Vacquer, or Oba vs Reed is going to keep me from watching Alabama play Georgia.
Roll Tide!
