The Triple Threader - July 1, 2024
Welcome to the Triple Threader, covering three select stories from the world of professional wrestling.
The women’s and men’s Money in the Bank cases. (Courtesy: WWE)
Money (in the Bank) on my Mind
WWE Money in the Bank takes place this Saturday in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Here is a list of matches set to take place in the Six:
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Bron Breakker
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. Seth “Freakin’” Rollins
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens vs. The Bloodline
The Bloodline excommunicates Paul Heyman. (Courtesy: WWE)
Sicks In, Wiseman Out
Interesting things happened over on WWE’s flagship shows. Raw saw another layer of the Wyatt Sicks as a videotape was given to Michael Cole to give to the production truck, which played an ominous conversation between Uncle Howdy and Bo Dallas, as they mainly discussed the late Bray Wyatt, Bo’s older brother. New tag team champions were crowned as Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh defeated The Miz & R-Truth to become the new WWE World Tag Team Champions. On a SmackDown that fell victim to constant censorship by Fox in the United States, the Bloodline had its acknowledgement ceremony and Paul Heyman would later be asked to acknowledge Solo Sikoa as the new Head of the Table, to which the WWE Hall of Famer replied, “I love you. And I acknowledge… that you are not my Tribal Chief!” This prompted the group to dispose of the Wiseman, dropping Heyman through the announce table.
Will Ospreay is consoled by Swerve Strickland after their main event match. (AEW)
Fallout from Forbidden Door
AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s co-produced premium show Forbidden Door had plenty of noteworthy events. MJF wrestled his first match since Worlds End last year, defeating Hechicero. Tetsuya Naito is now a two-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion by virtue of his win against Jon Moxley, who took the same title from Naito at Windy City Riot in April. Mercedes Moné is now the Strong queen of the SuperStation, holding both the TBS and NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, the latter of the two she won by turning away Stephanie Vaquer. The CEO’s celebration was short lived thanks to the return of Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, who made her return from injury. “The Scapegoat” Jack Perry can call himself a champion again, this time winning the TNT Title in a ladder match. In the main event, Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay put on a barnburner for the AEW crown. Ospreay, who is the current International Champion, bid to become the first man to hold the AEW World & International Titles, but it ultimately took two House Calls and a Big Pressure maneuver for Swerve to retain his gold.