WWE Money In The Bank 2019: Star Ratings For All 12 Matches

11. Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match

STARS AJ Styles Seth Rollins
WWE

Early jitters left the audience cold, and Mandy Rose’s tentative lack of commitment did not help. She avoided that ladder like she was Triple H, and that ladder was Luke Harper. Last-minute replacement Nikki Cross expressed no fear, in contrast, taking a brutal back-first bump to put over the match as the über-dangerous spectacle it is.

Naomi’s creative, athletic work drew everybody in; both spectacular and strategic, she took took a beating, too. Curiously, Carmella did not, but was escorted away by medical staff, anyway, in an incredibly optimistic and ultimately pointless Terry Funk bit. Eternal cult favourite Ember Moon enhanced that reputation with a jaw-dropping, ladder-assisted Eclipse that drew deafening ‘Holy Sh*t!’ chants, and this spot was even better than the awesome reaction indicated. This required only a visual to put it over, not the very real punishment the match usually demands.

The finish played wonderfully off this match’s controversial history; Sonya Deville’s interference threatened to again deprive the women of true agency, before Bayley, the performer who needed it the most, unhooked the briefcase.

A feel-good moment following a tight and dramatic match, it was all one ‘F*ck off’ levelled in the absent face of Sasha Banks, but never mind.

Star Rating: ***3/4

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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!