WWE Money In The Bank 2018: Star Ratings For All 10 Matches

8. Bobby Lashley Vs. Sami Zayn

Jinder Mahal STAR RATING 1
WWE.com

What, really, is there to rate?

This was almost offensively basic - bereft of any real content or creativity beyond the starkest babyface/heel character dynamic and most simplistic layout imaginable. Zayn spent the first moments stalling and running away from his massively muscled opponent. He successfully suckered Lashley into an ironic version of the heat spot, since the discerning Chicago crowd could barely, with some justification, muster up enthusiasm. Lashley ran through a trademark WWE comeback sequence before quickly dispatching Zayn in under seven minutes. It was inevitable, really; we were conditioned to expect a quick and thorough reckoning by the extent to which WWE leaned in on Zayn's hyper-irritating heel act - and it still felt overlong. This could have been parachuted in from the opening match of a house show on the last night of a draining European house show run. Move for move.

This was through no fault of the talent. Left to their own devices, Lashley and Zayn could have told a more gripping story. But the theme of WWE's story is getting Lashley "over" via the most brain-melting non-starter of a 1980s strategy.

The match served the wider story.

It served the super-sh*tty wider story.

Star Rating: 1/4*

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!