Anthony Sulla-Heffinger
WWE Money in the Bank results, grades and analysis: Drew McIntyre's cash-in fails, John Cena announces retirement plan
Also, Tiffany Stratton walked out a big winner in a women's Money in the Bank match that stole the show
WWE's Money in the Bank premium live event took place Saturday at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The popular event, considered to be on the same prestige level as SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, featured two separate ladder matches — men's and women's — that guaranteed the winners a championship opportunity at any time.
The show kicked off with the men's Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Drew McIntyre. McIntyre wouldn't wait long before cashing in, making the World Heavyweight Championship match between Damian Priest and Seth Rollins a triple threat. CM Punk would continue his ongoing feud with McIntyre, costing him the championship for effectively the third time this year.
On the women's side, Tiffany Stratton walked out the winner in one of the best matches of the year so far. While there was no women's championship match on the card, she was unable to capitalize on the same night, but historically speaking, every woman who has held the briefcase has successfully cashed in.
The Bloodline continued their dominance in the main event, with Solo Sikoa pinning Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in the six-man tag-team match. In addition, Sami Zayn retained his Intercontinental championship in a high-intensity match against Bron Breakker.
Outside of the ring, John Cena announced his retirement plans with WWE. Cena said he will do 30-40 dates in 2025, but the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania next year will be his last in-ring appearances at said events. Cena did specify that he would remain with WWE in some capacity and would only be retiring from wrestling performances.
WWE Money in the Bank results
Men's Money in the Bank ladder match — Carmelo Hayes vs. Jey Uso vs. Andrade vs. Chad Gable vs. LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre
Grade: A
Best spot: Andrade/Carmelo Hayes clashes
It's absolutely wild in the Men's #MITB Ladder Match! pic.twitter.com/CwE5mLFoHm
— WWE (@WWE) July 6, 2024
Analysis: This was a solid opening match, which set the stage for a cash-in later on in the event. Uso and Knight still come out of Saturday looking strong, despite not winning here and McIntyre was the right winner to move forward his story with Damian Priest, Seth Rollins and CM Punk. The show-stealers here were Andrade and Hayes, by far, with the reverse Spanish fly and sunset-flip powerbomb being the high-points of this match. After Priest held the briefcase for nearly a year after winning in 2023, not having the briefcase in play until next summer will feel a bit odd, but can create some intriguing, long programs moving forward.
Intercontinental Championship match — Sami Zayn (c.) vs. Bron Breakker
Grade: B+
Best spot: Breakker’s FrankenSteiner
THIS IS AWE-SOME 👏👏 👏👏👏#MITB pic.twitter.com/JND61hbcy1
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2024
Analysis: Zayn and Breakker brought clashing styles into this contest and delivered on several levels. Despite the outcome, Breakker looked strong and had moments that showed why he’s going to be a champion on Raw sooner rather than later. Zayn’s strong run as Intercontinental Champion continues and with no clear challenger lined up, there’s a chance we get to see this match again at SummerSlam.
World Heavyweight Championship match — Damian Priest (c.) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre (Money in the Bank cash-in)
Grade: B
Best spot: CM Punk taking out Drew McIntyre
CM PUNK is back!!!#MITB pic.twitter.com/EcocPvvZb3
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2024
Analysis: Priest did a solid job selling the fear/threat of McIntyre cashing in early on in this match. Rollins looked good and introduced some new staples into his repertoire, but the confusion right before the McIntyre cash-in created a bit of an awkward break in the action. Ultimately, WWE got where it needed to go, with Punk costing McIntyre again and Priest’s reign being a bit shaky in the eyes of fellow Judgment Day member Finn Balor. Rollins’ future is the interesting wrinkle here, since he cannot challenge Priest again, taking one of the top talents out of the biggest title picture on Monday Night Raw.
Women's Money in the Bank ladder match — Iyo Sky vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Zoey Stark vs. Chelsea Green
Grade: A+
Best spot: Iyo Sky’s Tombstone on Zoey Stark
It's COMPLETE CHAOS!!!#MITB pic.twitter.com/4HayTgVCSZ
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2024
Analysis: These six women stole the show at Money in the Bank and this deserves to be in consideration for match of the year. Every participant had a true moment to shine, but it was Stark and Sky who really dropped the audience’s collective jaw at the climax of the match. After drawing the largest reaction from the crowd, Stratton winning here continues her meteoric rise and the MITB briefcase traditionally works better on a heel character. Stratton got a little rub later in the night during a segment with Trish Stratus, so that could lay the groundwork for a SummerSlam match with Bayley locked into a match with Nia Jax in Cleveland.
Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Randy Orton vs. The Bloodline
Grade: B+
Best spot: Jacob Fatu no-selling Orton’s DDT
The Viper was NOT ready for this... 😲#MITB pic.twitter.com/jMf4ItCtJO
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2024
Analysis: Sikoa pinning Rhodes is a major development moving forward as it gives him immediate credibility as a threat to the American Nightmare’s title reign and a leg up on Roman Reigns when it comes to being the Tribal Chief. The viciousness of The Bloodline shined through the chaos of this match, particularly Fatu, who has been built up to be the biggest weapon in the stable. It’s unlikely we see any conflict between Rhodes, Orton and Owens and a potential return by Roman Reigns doesn’t seem any closer. What is very clear is that the story between Rhodes and The Bloodline is far from over. We could see Rhodes and Sikoa go toe-to-toe at SummerSlam and eventually build into a Survivor Series/WarGames showdown.
For full match breakdown and analysis, check out the recaps from our live coverage below.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER9 updates