WWE Hot Take: Delay Theory Cashing-in MITB Briefcase to Retain Relevancy in New Era

It might sound strange, but Theory feels like a WWE star in one of the most precarious spots of anyone right now.

It's strange because he's the current owner of this year's Money in the Bank briefcase. He could cash in at any time, potentially even pulling a Seth Rollins and swiping the company's unified titles.

But WWE might want to wait...quite a long time to make that happen.

The other side of the coin is a little concerning. Theory felt like he was hand-picked by Vince McMahon, who no longer has control of creative. That now belongs to Triple H, a guy who has already brought back some of his guys, topped off by Johnny Gargano, who recently attacked Theory.

Adding to that is the fact Theory already had a failed cash-in and generally just doesn't feel like a threat to either Roman Reigns or Drew McIntyre. Feel free to add in what already feels like a dated selfie-riddled gimmick, though that's a personal preference.

Speaking of personal preference, Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats) has at least reported that Triple H still likes Theory, but with an eyebrow-raising note: “They like the guy. Good size, good look, very good athlete, just needs ring work.”

That "just needs ring work" sticks out in a major way. WWE can't really get away with giving Theory this iconic moment so soon if they think the in-ring showings might be a step down for what is currently the unified titles. Watching Theory's matches indeed gives the same impression about his needing more time and experience, too.

Granted, WWE can wiggle around this issue in creative ways. Maybe the upcoming Reigns-McIntyre bout at Clash at the Castle somehow splits the titles. That gives them some leeway to have Theory cash-in and get one of the two top straps. Had WWE not booked itself into an easy-to-predict corner with the unified titles, this wouldn't even be a conversation.

Alas, it seems the decision-makers would agree on this front because it was Theory who was out there to interact with Gargano. This is the right move—keep Theory in front of fans in major ways that occupy his time and keep him from the main-event scene until he's fully ready.

It's not like WWE can't get amazingly creative here, either. Theory can't lose a cash-in attempt or he'll look like a chump. But he could lose the briefcase and emerge better for it.

Imagine, for a moment if Theory, the cocky, social-media-loving heel that he is, puts up the briefcase for grabs in a match with Gargano or somebody and loses it. He's perhaps humbled and works back and wins another briefcase (all the while getting that needed ring work) while fans embrace his underdog journey to the top. That would give the Reigns-McIntyre-maybe the Rock at Mania-situation time to conclude.

That's a big bit of fantasy booking, sure. But something along those lines beats the heck out of the alternatives, which is strapping a title on him way too early or damaging him with bad losses in key moments.

Frankly, there's just not a lot of room for Theory right now. He went from feuding with Mustafa Ali to a bit of tag purgatory to losing to McIntyre, and now he's getting those make-him-look-amazing matches with Dolph Ziggler. Meanwhile, Gargano is back, Karion Kross is back and floating around Reigns, and guys like Riddle, Gunther, Ciampa and others feel like only a matter of time as major champs. And before all that, don't forget Cody Rhodes.

Theory is by no means dead in the water, but he would be without that briefcase right now. The longer he holds it, perhaps up until losing it before its expiration date, the better for him and WWE.

In the long run, this could go down as a minor speed bump for Theory. But so much of WWE greatness is just undeniable, if not lucky timing. Theory doesn't have a lot of momentum or chances in that department right now, so the best swerve might be he and WWE treating that briefcase like it is a title.