Money in the Bank 2013: Final Predictions for July Pay-Per-View

The fourth edition of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view takes place this Sunday.

There are eight confirmed matches for the event, according to WWE’s website.

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns vs. The Usos for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Ryback vs. Chris Jericho

AJ Lee vs. Kaitlyn for the Diva’s Championship

Curtis Axel vs. The Miz for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler for the World Heavyweight Championship

John Cena vs. Mark Henry for the WWE Championship

World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Money in the Bank All-Stars Ladder Match

Other than the part-time Superstars like Brock Lesnar and Triple H, all of the major players are featured on this card. There are questions, however, concerning Kane’s participation at the event after what happened last Monday. Will the Wyatt Family make an appearance?

There are some favorites in the ladder matches, but it is tough to predict the winners. Will someone follow in Kane's footsteps and cash in their briefcase the same night?

With all of these questions and no answers, let's begin.

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns (c) vs. the Usos for the Tag Titles

From interfering in the Survivor Series main event to the kickoff match at Money in the Bank, The Shield have taken a backseat for now.

However, Sheamus was in the Payback kickoff match and he’s in a good spot. So, Shield fans, there’s no need to worry.

I expect these two teams to put on a good match. The Usos will get some near falls, but Roman Reigns will connect with the spear to give his team the win.

This proves how shallow the tag team division is right now, especially on the babyface side. There was Team Hell No, but they’re no more. Then there’s the Usos and Tons of Funk.

No one believes that the Usos will take the titles away from The Shield.

Winner: The Shield

Ryback vs. Chris Jericho

What a thrown together match this is. Both Chris Jericho and Ryback demanded matches at Money in the Bank to then-Managing Supervisor of Raw, Vickie Guerrero. In a last-minute effort, she threw Jericho and Ryback in a match together.

It’s interesting because this was supposed to be a match at WrestleMania XXIX, but that ended up not happening as Jericho lost to Fandango and Ryback was literally squashed by Mark Henry.

Another thing to think about is if Vickie will play any role in this match. She was last seen receiving a hug from Ryback on last week’s Raw.

With Jericho beginning a tour with Fozzy in three weeks, there could be an injury angle to write him off of TV.

Winner: Ryback

AJ Lee (c) vs. Kaitlyn for the Diva's Title

This has been one of the best Diva feuds in a long time. That might not be saying much, but it’s still entertaining.

AJ has played mind games with Kaitlyn over the past couple of weeks. In return, Kaitlyn has unleashed her anger in the form of her spear.

There’s a good story being told with Kaitlyn trying to overcome AJ’s torment. Why end that now when SummerSlam is next month?

AJ retaining also plays into the dissension between her and Dolph Ziggler (more on that later).

I see Big E. Langston getting involved somehow, forcing Kaitlyn to take her eye off of the prize.

Winner: AJ

Curtis Axel (c) vs. the Miz for the Intercontinental Title

Curtis Axel won the intercontinental title by pinning Wade Barrett at Payback in a triple threat match also featuring The Miz. Barrett received a title shot on the following SmackDown, but lost.

Now, it is The Miz’s turn to get another title shot. Why? Probably because there are no other credible challengers for Axel.

Miz is stuck in limbo right now. There are too many Superstars above him in the main event and a run with a mid-card title won’t help him either.

It makes no sense for Axel to drop the title to Miz. He’s a new Superstar in the middle of his first title reign. He’s still trying to find himself, and he can do that as the intercontinental champion.

Winner: Curtis Axel

Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler for the World Title

When Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio fought at Payback, I was a huge fan of the double turn. Del Rio is much better as a heel and most fans were already cheering Ziggler.

However, things don’t seem to be working out for Ziggler as much. He hasn’t changed anything to make fans get behind him. He hasn’t cut a promo about losing the title. He hasn’t separated himself from his (on-screen) girlfriend AJ or friend Big E., who are both heels.

If AJ retains and Ziggler loses, this could further wedge the two apart. Ziggler would then need to cut ties with her and focus on what’s important to him—the world title.

I may be in the minority here, but I predict Ziggler to come up short, which will lead to a match with Langston at SummerSlam.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

John Cena (c) vs. Mark Henry for the WWE Title

As great as Mark Henry has been, is there any doubt that John Cena will retain his title?

Over the last month, this feud has been much better than the two months of Cena and Ryback. This matchup should have taken place after WrestleMania. Henry is much more of a monster and Cena isn’t taking him lightly (except for making a Snickers joke on Monday).

Henry’s retirement promo was awesome and his subsequent promos have been just as good, despite the "What?" chants. The visual of Cena unable to lift Henry up for the AA was well done.

Unfortunately, the WWE title will slip away from Henry again. “SuperCena” will make his return and defeat Henry.

Cena is WWE’s money maker, and there are still great feuds and matches to be had with Cena as champion.

Winner: John Cena

World Heavyweight Championship Contract Money in the Bank Ladder Match

This may be the hardest Money in the Bank match to predict.

There are five (or six, depending on who you ask) legitimate options to win this match. Wade Barrett could finally get the world title shot he deserves. The same could be said for Cody Rhodes. Damien Sandow could outsmart his best friend and win the match.

WWE could go all-in with United States champion Dean Ambrose. Antonio Cesaro looks to be back on track now that he’s aligned himself with Zeb Colter.

I don’t see Fandango as a main event character. Jack Swagger may have to wait before getting back into the world title picture.

This match won’t be a show-stealer, but it will be entertaining nonetheless. Then again, it could also be awkward for the crowd as all the participants are heels.

Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Money in the Bank All-Stars Ladder Match

When the participants of this match were announced, I was shocked WWE went with all faces. That changed when the match was listed as “Money in the Bank All-Stars.” All seven Superstars are either former WWE or world champions.

With the Wyatt Family's attack on Kane last Monday, who will replace Kane in this match? Will it be Bray Wyatt or someone else? It could be the winner of the Chris Jericho vs. Ryback match.

In a previous article, I ranked the likelihood of each Superstar winning this match. Christian was the lowest and Daniel Bryan was the highest. Bryan was ahead of Randy Orton by 14 percent. I think that gap has closed because of the way Raw closed last Monday.

Bryan took out CM Punk after his match with Orton, then climbed the ladder and pulled down the briefcase.

This may be foreshadowing, or it could be saying the opposite.

Regardless, this may be the best match of the night. Rob Van Dam returns and will be in the ring with today’s best Superstars.

With rumored plans of a John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan match, I have to stick with my original pick.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Conclusion

My predictions are: The Shield, Ryback, AJ, Curtis Axel, Alberto Del Rio, John Cena, Antonio Cesaro and Daniel Bryan.

I am very excited to be going to Money in the Bank. This is a very stacked card with a lot of storylines picking up momentum.

Do you agree with me? Disagree? Chime in with your predictions.