WWE Money in the Bank 2011: Predictions for How the Chips Could Fall in Illinois

After a string of lackluster WWE pay-per-views, WWE brings us to Chicago, Illinois for Money in the Bank, an intriguing PPV with the potential to completely change the direction WWE is heading. Or, like Over the Limit and Capitol Punishment, very little could change. At the very least we'll have two new Money in the Bank winners which means two almost guaranteed world champions. And, the situation between John Cena and CM Punk will be resolved one way or another.

So, let's break down the card and see who will be leaving disappointed, and who will be "money" in Chicago.

Divas Championship: Kelly Kelly vs. Brie Bella

Seeing that this match was announced three weeks before this Sunday, this is probably the most hyped divas match in some time. And somehow, I still don't care.

WWE seems to be building the divas division around Kelly Kelly and I wouldn't be surprised if they're trying to put her as Kharma's opponent for Wrestlemania when she returns. The Bellas had a long, uneventful title reign and even WWE has to recognize there's no point in giving them the belt back. Expect a clean win for Kelly before she moves on to greener pastures.

Prediction: Kelly Kelly

Big Show vs. Mark Henry

Mark Henry has been on quite a roll recently. Since being drafted to Smackdown, Henry has turned heel and is now destroying everyone in his path. Now, after getting punked out by the Big Show, the two will clash at Money in the Bank in what should be a moderately entertaining match between big men.

Henry has most of the momentum going in and seems to be on the upswing. Smackdown needs Henry to be strong more than RAW needs Big Show to be, so the smart move is to give Henry the big win here.

Winner: Mark Henry

Money in the Bank Ladder Match (Smackdown)

It wouldn't be a Money in the Bank PPV without Money in the Bank ladder matches and we'll see two of them tonight. On the Smackdown side of things, we have Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel, Wade Barrett, Sin Cara, Sheamus, Heath Slater and Kane fighting for a chance to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Championship any time they choose. Every previous cash-in has been successful and getting that briefcase would be huge for any of these men.

For the match itself, there are some very interesting players to make the match even more fun to watch. Sin Cara and Gabriel are both definitive high flyers, although neither is particularly experienced in ladder matches. Daniel Bryan and Cody Rhodes are smaller guys who can fly when they have to and I'm sure will have some creative spots in mind. Sheamus and Kane have both had great showings in ladder matches in the past and should bring a destructive element to the match. Slater and Barrett don't have much experience in this type of match, but we'll see what they can do.

Nothing is really guaranteed in a match like this, but we can handicap the odds as best we can.

Chances of Winning: Slim to None

Heath Slater: Sorry Heath, but you're bordering jobber status at this point and a cool theme can't make up for that voice. Shudder.

Kane: A veteran of the match, Kane is competing in his fifth Money in the Bank ladder match, which will tie him with Shelton Benjamin for most Money in the Bank matches. Kane won last year's ladder match and I can't really see him pulling it out again. Last year, he had some serious momentum behind him, but at the moment Kane isn't doing much and I don't expect that to change after tonight.

Sin Cara: Sin Cara is still adjusting to the WWE style of wrestling and this will be his first venture into a WWE ladder match. After wrestling in one of the most conservative wrestling companies in Mexico, where there is little other than straight-up singles matches, you have to wonder how he'll adapt to this environment. I can't see him winning, simply because he's not ready for the World Heavyweight Championship yet, even though he's quickly elevating into one of Smackdown's top babyfaces. Expect some incredible spots, but don't bank on Sin Cara bringing the briefcase down.

Moderate Chance

Justin Gabriel: In my humble opinion, Justin Gabriel is the most underrated wrestler in WWE. While Wade Barrett was leading Nexus and Corre, Gabriel was always his right hand man, often doing a lot of the ring work. Now that he's on his own, Gabriel has the potential to be a major babyface on Smackdown. Everyone already pops at the 450 and the fans love cheering on the little guys.

The question is, will that success translate into a Money in the Bank win? I wouldn't put money on it, but I also wouldn't rule out the possibility of Justin shocking the world tonight.

Bryan "D-Bryan" Danielson: Daniel Bryan seems to have carved a pretty decent niche for himself on Smackdown. His matches with Cody Rhodes are always a treat to watch, and he's been booked pretty strongly in them. But is it time for Bryan to take that next step and move to the Main-Event? It's possible. Bryan gets a good pop (and would get an even bigger one with a better theme song), and is obviously one of wrestlng's elite masters. A potential dark horse for sure.

Great Chance

Sheamus: Sheamus has been trying to get involved in the title picture for months now, tangling up with Orton and Christian, but has been unable to get a legitimate title shot. Money in the Bank seems like the perfect opportunity to do so. Sheamus has said he plans to cash in immediately after the Orton/Christian match and generally anyone who says they plan to cash in the night of the match ends up losing. But Sheamus is a guy who could use a few more World Title reigns on Smackdown and this may be the quickest way to do it. This could lead right into a potential triple threat between him Orton and Christian at Summerslam. A definite chance of winning.

Cody Rhodes: Cody Rhodes is ready to be in the main event. He has become one of the elite wrestlers on Smackdown and has held his own against Daniel Bryan and Ezekiel Jackson, picking up wins over both rivals. He has the gimmick, he has the mic ability, he has the wrestling ability and he's still very young. There's no reason he can't be Mr. Money in the Bank. Many believe that this match, on paper, is a two-horse race. Rhodes is one, the other?

Wade Barrett: Wade Barrett is the kind of guy Money in the Bank was made for. A man who has come so close to main eventing yet can't quite get to that level. Money in the Bank is a great chance for Wade to reach that level and you have to wonder how much longer he can afford to wait on his potential. He certainly has all the tools, size, charisma and in-ring ability. Like Rhodes, there's no reason he can't win that briefcase.

How do I choose my prediction between Rhodes and Barrett? I'm giving it to Barrett by a slight margin simply because he has nothing going on right now, while Rhodes is in an angle with DiBiase and Bryan. Wade is ready, and don't be surprised if he cashes in on Orton sooner rather than later.

Winner: Wade Barrett

Money in the Bank Ladder Match (RAW)

I already wrote a more in-depth article on this match (here) so I won't go into as much detail, although you'll notice my opinions have somewhat changed since then. The competitors are The Miz, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, Alex Riley, R-Truth, Alberto Del Rio, Evan Bourne and Rey Mysterio. RAW's Money in the Bank is a bit more wide open than its Smackdown counterpart, as there are really about three or four guys with a good chance of winning. The match itself should be exciting, as Rey, Kofi and Bourne are some of the best when it comes to fast-paced, high-flying action.

-Swagger winning the title again via Money in the Bank cash-in seems pointless. Jack needs to prove he can win the title on his own and that's something a quick fix can't solve

-Mysterio doesn't need it and neither does Miz. Both are credible main eventers and could win a world title on their own.

Outside of those three, I think any of Bourne, Del Rio, Riley, Kofi or Truth could win it. Out of that group, I'm going to give it to Kofi Kingston. For a guy who always gets a good pop, is a great wrestler and has shown competence on the mic, this guy has been floundering in the mid-card for way too long. Kofi has paid his dues, now is the time to give him the push.

Winner: Kofi Kingston

World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton vs. Christian

I feel like I'm on autopilot writing about this match because for the third consecutive PPV Randy Orton is defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Christian, this time with the stipulation that if Orton is DQ'd, or it appears there is faulty refereeing, Orton will lose the title.

I'm not sure how much longer they plan to stretch this thing out, but I can't see Christian winning the title here. He's lost too many times and his heel turn has been mediocre at best. There are other heels lining up for a title shot, so you have to feel Christian's time in the main event is coming to a close.

Expect Orton to win, but for Christian to possibly weasel his way into a triple threat at Summerslam with Sheamus.

Winner: Randy Orton

WWE Championship: John Cena vs. CM Punk

First of all, just like with last month's Cena/Truth promo, I have to give massive props to WWE's video production crew for putting together another amazing video package for Cena/Punk. Every other sport tries to do them, but this one gives me goosebumps. They know exactly when to cut, how to use color and graining. Can't say enough about how good these people are and if you're trying to sell a PPV to someone who doesn't watch wrestling very often, this is the kind of stuff that does it.

This match could very well shape the direction WWE heads from this point forward. CM Punk has announced he'll be leaving the company after tonight and will be doing so while being the WWE Champion. And all this will be going down in Punk's hometown of Chicago, Illinois. It's going to be one crazy atmosphere, that's for sure.

The match itself I'm sure will be great. If he really is leaving, you know Punk will be at his absolute best.

There are so many way this one could go down. Here's a few I can think of:

1) Cena wins and shakes Punk's hand for a classy farewell

2) Punk wins, signs a contract and the angle continues

3) Punk wins but gets cashed in on by RAW's Money in the Bank winner

4) Vince screws Punk, Cena gets angry and starts a feud with Vince

5) Cena turns heel and aligns with Vince

6) Punk aligns with Vince

7) Colt Cabana makes a surprise appearance and puts Vince in the Billy Goat's Curse (a man can dream...)

Unfortunately, my natural snarkish cynicism is pointing me towards the first option. Whenever WWE focuses an angle on the heel going against Cena, Cena usually ends up winning. I expect Cena to win this one after a tremendous match, followed by a handshake and possibly a GTS on Vince. I'm leaving it up to WWE to something creative and prove me wrong.

Winner: John Cena