10 Times WWE Worked Their Audience Into A Shoot
9. James Ellsworth Steals History (Money In The Bank 2017)
Much of the build for Money In The Bank 2017 revolved around the women's division. SmackDown's females were set to compete in the titular ladder match for the very first time, and as always, the build was all about "making history" and "creating moments." One of Carmella, Natalya, Becky Lynch, Tamina, and Charlotte was going to ensure their place in WWE folklore, and everything was set up for a glorious coronation.
The narrative was busted when a man, not a woman, decided the outcome. When everyone else was out for the count, James Ellsworth scaled the ladder, grabbed the briefcase, and tossed it down to Carmella, whom he declared the winner.
It was the kind of hair-brained Russo-esque swerve that should've probably died with WCW, but it worked. While social media was aghast that WWE would dare steal history from the women's division, Carmella became her brand's most hated competitor, which is exactly what the decision was trying to accomplished. She drew monstrous heat during her victory promo, and while her crowd reactions have since died down, the angle was entirely successful in its goal of working their fans up to the point of real-life outrage.