Last Summer, WWE held its very first Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match. With the help of James Ellsworth, Carmella secured the briefcase and ensured her spot as the permanent #1 Contender to the Smackdown Women's Championship. She's held onto the briefcase ever since, with many speculating when she'll actually cash it in. Well, with Wrestlemania just around the corner, it seems like now is a better time than ever, especially given the competitors involved in the Smackdown Women's Championship.
Following her win at the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble, Asuka, still technically a member of the Raw brand, challenged current Smackdown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair. Both wrestlers are regarded as the best in their Divisions, and their Mania match should hopefully prove to be an exciting one. So then that begs the question: Where does Carmella fit in? Who should she cash in on? What will the effect be? Let's take a look at the various scenarios and figure out just how important it will be in the long run.
Scenario 1: Carmella cashes in on Asuka and wins the Title
This scenario undoubtedly the most important one of the lot. Taking the title off Charlotte, combined with her run in NXT and on the main roster so far, will further prove her status in the company and just seriously they take her as a performer. AND THEN, just as the bell rings and Asuka is crowned champ after a grueling affair...F-A-B-U-L-O-U-ESSS! (That's how it sound to me, shut up). Carmella cashes in (for realsies, this time), takes advantage of a prone Asuka, hits a signature or two and gets the 1-2-3 to become the next Smackdown Women's Champion (no doubt soaking in the jeers).
Scenario 2: She cashes in on Charlotte and wins the Title
So let's say Charlotte manages to retain her title, breaking the streak. Historic in its own right, as this is a record that few wrestlers (male or female) have managed to accomplish in the WWE. Right when she's about to release the patented Flair "WHOOOO!!!", Carmella hits her with the briefcase, cashes in and takes the her spot as the top woman on Smackdown. Dethroning The Queen, who's been ruling the roost (God I feel lame using that term) in the Division ever since she arrived on Smackdown last year.
Scenario 3: A surprise Raw Women's cash-in
Hear me out on this one before you say, "BUT SHE'S A SMYACKDOWN WRESTLER YOU IDIOT WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT BRAND SPLIT MYEHHH *snort* *fart*". As I said before, Asuka is still a member of Raw, yet she's challenging for the Smackdown Title. Granted, the Rumble was an interbrand affair, but the fact remains Asuka/Charlotte is still a cross-brand match; there should be no reason Carmella couldn't cash in on the Raw title. It could actually bolster the reputation of the briefcase as a whole, despite the fact she'd be cashing in on a feud that's been the equivalent of an unhealthy bowel movement.
I'm combining these outcomes into one in order to save space. Either she takes advantage of the
cocky heel Alexa Bliss and takes her spot as the top heel of the Raw Women's Division; or she ruins a happy moment for the heroic babyface Nia Jax.
Scenario 4: She cashes in on anyone and fails
*Sounds of Silence plays in the background while Baron Corbin flashbacks ensue*
Yes, unfortunately we have to look at the very real possibility that she could cash in on either victor of the title matches and be unsuccessful in doing so. It's happened in the past (Damien Sandow and the aforementioned Corbin come to mind), so this scenario is still quite possible, regardless of the fact this is the first time the briefcase is being used on the Women's side.
So now that I've listed all of the scenarios, it's time to stop dicking around and decide which outcome is the best one. After thinking this through, Scenario 1 is definitely the best option (at least the most interesting). It kind of pains me to say that, being such a huge Asuka mark, but the fact remains Carmella cashing in on Asuka and winning the title is the best case scenario. It restores prestige to MITB following the recent Corbin failure, it gives creative something new to work with for Asuka and overall, there's opportunity for Carmella to be the top heel of the Women's roster, if not the entire main roster.
Think about it. Asuka's streak is one of the most lauded attractions in WWE. Adding to that, she's over as hell as a face. Carmella has steadily gotten herself over as a heel in a division, that sadly, is lacking a good villain. Having her beat the streak, especially in such a sneaky, underhanded fashion as a MITB cash-in, would gain NUCLEAR levels of heat for her. It would bolster her heel ego and establish her character even more. Sure, Alexa's the longest-reigning Women's champion of the modern era, and sure she's won both the Raw and Smackdown Women's Titles multiple times, but did she beat the streak? No, but Carmella did, and she'll remind you of that (providing this is how it will go down).
The impact just wouldn't be the same if she were to cash in on Charlotte and win. While it would be shocking, it certainly wouldn't match the levels of her defeating Asuka. And the impact is especially softened on the Raw side of things. While I don't dislike either of them, Bliss vs. Jax just doesn't have as big of a feel to it as Charlotte vs. Asuka.
So what does this mean for the Women's roster as a whole? For one, the heels would have to step up their game and find new ways to gain relevancy, providing Creative gives them something interesting to work with. This is, again, assuming Carmella is successful. If she isn't, then it's just another blown opportunity for WWE to do something truly shocking and interesting; it also means decreased relevancy for the MITB briefcase, which for so long guaranteed the holder a title reign.
And it bears repeating Carmella should most definitely cash in at Wrestlemania. If she did it at any other time, the impact would be softened and it would gain much less fame.
There's untapped potential with this and I'd hate to see it get wasted. Here's hoping they don't fuck it up this Sunday.
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