Views From The Turnbuckle: MITB Preview, Can Henry Win? Match Predictions And More

The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of WrestlingINC.com or its staff.

Much like Extreme Rules, Money in the Bank has historically been one of the better ppvs the WWE puts on each year. Money in the Bank 2011 might have been the best ppv of the year and the event in 2012 was no slouch either. Contrary to how I felt about Extreme Rules and Payback, Money in the Bank 2013 is looking like it could follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and become one of the best shows of 2013.

It will be interesting to see which match is the main event of the show. Last year, the MITB match for the WWE Title shot went on last, as opposed to the WWE Championship match. This year, I think the WWE Championship match will regain its main event slot for two reasons. First, if the MITB match for the title shot is on after the Championship match, then it removes any potential for a cash in on the title that night. Secondly, John Cena is in the WWE Championship match this year, as opposed to being in the MITB match last year.

The WWE Championship match is Mark Henry taking on the perennial champion, John Cena. Henry has looked very impressive over the past few weeks, laying out Cena and cutting some devilish promos that few knew he was capable of delivering. A lot of fans see Henry as a deserving champion, someone that worked hard in the WWE for well over a decade but never got properly recognized.

However, the WWE loves to use the booking pattern of where they build up a monster to challenge Cena, only to have Cena once again overcome the odds at the ppv and slay the beast. It's the exact same formula that they used at the very last ppv, only with Ryback playing the monsters role. If they switched up the formula and had Henry won, then that would be a delightful twist to the show, and a move that I believe would be very well-received. Although my heart is telling me to pick Henry, my head is telling me that Cena will come out on top for the 10,000,000th time. Let us all hope for a nice surprise.

The other world title match is a re-match between Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler for the World Heavyweight Championship, only this time Del Rio is the champion and Ziggler the challenger. I really have to believe that Ziggler is going to win this match. The WWE quickly pulled the rug underneath his title reign before he could really have it (thanks Swagger) and I think it would be smart to take the title off of a lame duck champion like Del Rio. At this point, the WWE knows what they are going to get out of Del Rio as champion, a guy that can have some good matches but is always going to receive lackluster reactions from the crowd. Ziggler has a lot more potential as champion, and to pick Del Rio in favor of him would be a crude and nonsensical move.

Arguably the match with the most intriguing match of the evening is the MITB match for the WWE Title shot. The match is being booked as the "All-Stars" match, as it consists of all former world champions. Realistically, all would be a capable winner of the match, but for the sake of predictions, let's cross some of the guys off. Kane is likely not going to even be in the match after he was attacked by the Wyatt family on Raw, so he is out. Christian is most likely going to be used in lower-card feuds so adios to him. I can't see Sheamus winning either, the names in the match are too big for a relative young gun like him to overcome, plus I doubt he even needs it, since much like ADR; Sheamus seems to get title shots whenever he wants anyways. Rob Van Dam is a returning superstar, and he might very well receive the biggest pop of the night, but I can't see the WWE rushing ahead and putting a 42 year old back into the main event spot after only one match.

That leaves Randy Orton, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. Randy Orton has been wallowing in no-man's land for over a year, and the MITB briefcase could really rejuvenate his career. Punk is gearing up for a big face run and feud with Paul Heyman, leading most likely to a match against Brock Lesnar at Summerslam, could they use the briefcase as an extra prop in the match? What if Brock won the briefcase? Daniel Bryan is the guy that most fans would pick to win the case, as he is currently the most over guy on the roster and the time to cash in on his popularity is now. If the WWE was smart they would have him win the match and cash in ASAP. But as has happened in the past, the WWE has made same boneheaded decisions with Daniel Bryan, and history very well could repeat itself.

The other MITB match is for the WHC contract, and features all guys who have never been WHC, except for Jack Swagger. I actually think this match is going to be the best MITB match of the night, because it features young guys willing to take risks. The WWE MITB match is full of older stars, guys who know better and who can't recklessly risk their bodies. Guys like Randy Orton and CM Punk have stated in the past that their days of falling off of ladders are pretty much over. The WHC MITB match is the opposite, as it is full of young guys willing to take the risks to make a name for themselves. Expect to see a lot of high spots in this match.

I think the winner of the match is really a toss-up, as any number of guys could get the title shot. What is interesting is that whoever wins this match, that is the guy the WWE is going to peg as being the next main event star for their company. The match also consists of all heel characters, although at the rate heel/face turns are coming that could easily change. The obvious choice, if there is on, is in Dean Ambrose. He has already been a part of the biggest storylines, his mic and ring work has been impressive and he holds the US Championship. Everyone believes that he is going to be a future main eventer, and his acceleration to that title might come sooner rather than later. Damien Sandow is a dark horse candidate, as he has worked a feud with Sheamus recently, even getting a few victories over the somewhat unconquerable Irishman. Sandow generates a fair amount of heat on the microphone, so he might be a really solid choice to elevate into the main event. Realistically though, any of the 5 other competitors, Cody Rhodes, Antonio Cesaro, Jack Swagger, Fandango or Wade Barrett could also win it, which makes this match very exciting.

The rest of the card is filled out rather weakly. Chris Jericho will face Ryback in a match that everyone is sure will be a Ryback victory. Ryback needs a ppv win desperately and Jericho is a big name opponent who has no issue jobbing to younger talent. Curtis Axel vs The Miz for Axel's IC title should be a quick match, highlighted by a lot of fans going into the kitchen to make a sandwich. Axel wins because the WWE likes him and nobody likes the Miz. The Diva's title match should really only end one way, with AJ once again getting the best of Kaitlyn. AJ is irreplaceable in the Diva's division, while Kaitlyn is the exact opposite and her role can be filled by essentially any other Diva on the roster. The pre-show match is Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns vs the Uso boys for the Shield's tag team titles. While the Usos have shown significant improvement, they are not ready to take down the Shield, and I have to think that if the Shield were going to lose the tag titles, it would be on the main show and not on Youtube.

This Sunday should be one of the better days for wrestling this year. The MITB matches always set the tone for the rest of the summer, and we should get a decent glimpse of the what the WWE has in store for us in the future.