R-Truth Outsmarts WWE, Booking Ron Killings and Seth Rollins, More Quick Takes

More shocking than anything that transpired during the advertised matches at Money in the Bank 2025 was R-Truth's shocking return to WWE—less than a week removed from the announcement of his pending departure.

It's a sign of TKO, Triple H and company seeing the outpouring of support for the former United States champion online and giving fans what they want by bringing him back, but only if the audience and officials alike admit it was a legitimate development that was turned into a storyline.

It presents an interesting challenge of how WWE handles him going forward and where he factors into the remainder of John Cena's reign as undisputed WWE champion, if at all. The same can be said for Seth Rollins, who joined an elite few as a two-time Money in the Bank winner this weekend.

Rollins has had a stranglehold on Raw's main event scene for months and being in possession of the opportunistic briefcase gets him one step closer to clinching world championship gold yet again. It simply remains to be seen whether WWE intends to have him cash in on the sooner side or hold off until later down the line.

Either way, Jey Uso won't be safe as long as The Visionary is lurking in the shadows on Monday nights with the Money in the Bank contract in his possession.

This installment of Quick Takes will discuss how he and the rechristened Ron Killings should be booked, why Mercedes Moné vs. Toni Storm is a lose-lose situation, Naomi's outlook as Ms. Money in the Bank, and more.

It's OK to Admit WWE Not Renewing R-Truth Was Real

Aside from shock and awe, fans' first reaction to R-Truth showing up at the conclusion of Money in the Bank was one of overwhelming joy, at least for the majority of WWE's audience that expressed disbelief and frustration with his contract not getting renewed at the beginning of the month.

Crowds proceeded to audibly chant his name during the subsequent episodes of Raw and SmackDown, leading to WWE making the executive decision to bring him back into the fold and pick up where he left off with the man who humiliated him: John Cena.

According to PWInsider, it was clearly a case of the company reacting to the news in real life and wisely re-signing him to some sort of a deal that will allow him to finish on his terms.

To suggest WWE "worked" its entire audience by implying it was all a part of the plan per Triple H's comments at the Money in the Bank post-show presser would be both deceitful and disingenuous.

WWE attempting to save face by doing that confirms what was already obvious to so many: It's more important to this new regime to pretend it was controlling the narrative from the start than admit it made a misstep that could have easily been avoided had he just been re-signed sooner.

Why Ron Killings Name Change Will be Crucial to the Character Going Forward

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R-Truth, now being referred to his real name of Ron Killings, returning at Money in the Bank overshadowed everything else that happened at the event, and understandably so.

It's by far WWE's biggest story at the moment and it's imperative it capitalizes on that while it can.

To ensure the angle's success, Killings must take a straightforward approach and stick to staying serious in the weeks and months ahead. Although his last match was a squash against JC Mateo, his last loss to John Cena at Saturday Night's Main Event should have been the catalyst for a much-needed character change.

The 53-year-old forever be a fan favorite, but the delusional persona he previously portrayed won't work with what WWE should be going for with him. It's been over a decade since Killings did anything but comedy, so it will be a refreshing change of pace for his apparent final run.

Of course, he shouldn't be the one to dethrone Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship—that honor belongs to Cody Rhodes—but it is logical for them to resume their rivalry and for Killings to play a pivotal role in convincing The Last Real Champion to turn face in the near future.

Provided Killings remains a hot commodity, he should be positioned toward the top of the card, where he can finish out strong, make amends with Cena and retire on his terms as an active competitor in WWE.

Despite Being a Big Attraction, Mercedes Moné vs. Toni Storm at All In 2025

Toni Storm and Mercedes Moné are arguably two of the brightest stars All Elite Wrestling has on its roster right now, meaning a bout between them is among the biggest it could possibly put together.

It makes sense for a stage as grand as All In, which in a way has become the AEW equivalent to WWE's WrestleMania. Under the current circumstances, though, it isn't a match that makes sense for this year's installment.

Storm has dominated the women's division for the better part of the past three years. While Moné taking the title isn't all that egregious, it's the idea that the TBS Championship she's held for the last year-plus would then take a backseat, especially if she were to willingly relinquish it.

Conversely, Storm being the one to hand Moné her first singles loss in AEW isn't necessary, either. The company is stuck at a crossroads where either outcome is essentially a lose-lose.

The match itself will undoubtedly deliver and AEW will make the most of whatever direction it decides to go in, but this could have been avoided if Jamie Hayter emerged victorious in the women's Owen Hart Cup instead so she could advance to All In, exact revenge on Storm for sidelining her (in storyline) in 2023 and reclaim the title.

Moné defending her TBS title against Texas' own Athena at All In would have worked just as well, but that mini feud was dropped without explanation and Athena hasn't been seen since on AEW TV.

Best Way Triple H Can Book Seth Rollins with MITB Briefcase

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Seth Rollins did not need the men's Money in the Bank briefcase, and neither did his story.

He was always going to set his sights back on world heavyweight champion Jey Uso eventually after their last title clash ended in a non-finish, but being the established name that he is, Rollins could have challenged for the belt again without the briefcase being at play.

Of everyone involved in Saturday's ladder match, LA Knight could have benefited from it most and should have been the one to retrieve the contract. Unfortunately, that wasn't the outcome WWE went with, but it's possible Triple H can make Rollins as Mr. Money in the Bank worthwhile.

Rollins has been significantly more interesting as a character since linking up with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, and all roads should lead to him dethroning Uso. At this point, the endgame should be SummerSlam, but The Visionary has a score to settle with CM Punk and Sami Zayn before then.

Rollins cashing in at any point before SummerSlam simply so Uso can regain the gold from him there would be a waste of the contract, not to mention how it would do further damage to the concept following Drew McIntyre's failed cash-in last year.

Considering the current circumstances, Rollins cashing in for a second straight time successfully closer to SummerSlam and, of course, keeping him relevant in the meantime would be the best way to utilize the briefcase.

Looking Ahead to Naomi's Trajectory as Ms. MITB

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Seth Rollins as Mr. Money in the the Bank as a bit of a polarizing pick, but Naomi was the strongest choice for the women's winner and captured the contract as she should have.

No woman has cashed in and lost as of now, and it would be the wrong call for The Glow to be the first given the hot heel run she's had so far. The exceptional effort she's put forth since before WrestleMania 41 has to be the best work of her entire WWE career.

Tiffany Stratton has largely excelled as WWE women's champion in the last five months, but her days with the title should be numbered now there's a suitable successor.

In the long run, she'll get over even more as a babyface with the added adversity of having to chase to get her belt back, plus the irony of losing the gold the same way she won it.

Naomi's unfinished business with Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill makes them immediate challengers for her once she wins it along with the rest of SmackDown's growing women's division.

It's now or never for Naomi to cement her spot as a top-tier player in the championship picture.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.