Carmella is money

Ms. Money in the Bank, again
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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As suspected, Carmella has won the WWE's second ever Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. This, of course, was the rematch from last week's event on pay per view. Storyline wise the "do over" match was needed because of the interference by James Ellsworth. In my 1-2-3 cents, it's because of the backlash from fans who were upset that a man "won" the first ever women's version of the match.

Chairwoman
Courtesy: WWE

Right now there are plans for me to voice more of my feelings on that situation on any upcoming Positive Cynicism podcast with Chad, so I'll save all it for that show in the coming weeks. However, WWE made the right decision banking on Carmella. Admittedly she's one of those characters I didn't think was going to make it after debuting on SmackDown Live last year. When she was first drafted (last I might add) she seemed out of place without her NXT buddies Enzo and Big Cass.

In fact, up until a couple months ago, I was still holding out for WWE to do a reunion of sorts for that trio. But then the genius idea came about to pair her with Ellsworth. The combo has been gold. I'm thoroughly entertained by these two and Carmella has stepped up her game both in the ring and on the mic. I also really dig the money printed gear she's wearing too.

Airborne
Courtesy: WWE

I had picked Carmella a couple weeks ago to win the MITB because I believed her character was most fit to portray the Ms. Money in the Bank character. The build to an eventual cash-in will be amazing and only topped by Carmella becoming the SmackDown Live Women's Champion. She's a classic case of a Superstar I wasn't high on at first and becoming a fan of in the long run. So maybe there's still hope for Baron Corbin...

Do over: Money in the Bank women's edition

Preparing for MITB Part 2
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The women of SmackDown Live are getting a second chance to do their historic Money in the Bank ladder match. The first encounter over the weekend ended with James Ellsworth climbing the ladder, grabbing the briefcase and dropping it into the waiting arms of Carmella. 

Returning SDL General Manager Daniel Bryan ruled that Carmella has to hand over the briefcase. The reason: Ellsworth interrupted one of the most important moments in the history of women's wrestling in WWE. The moment will now be "re-lived" on SmackDown Live on June 27.

Ellsworth grabs the case
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

All five of the original participants will compete in the match, Carmella, Tamina, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Natalya. In my 1-2-3 cents, Carmella will win again. It makes no sense to take the case away from her and keep her in the rematch. If she cheated and did things that are "unprecedented", wouldn't it make more sense to keep her out of the second match as a punishment? Or perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

The cynic in me wonders if this was the original plan or if WWE is responding to the backlash online. I heard several complaints that a man interfering in the match was a setback for the women's wrestling movement within the company. I don't necessarily agree with that point of view, but I certainly understand it. Remember, it's all a work, no matter how we get to the end result.

Ms. Money in the Bank
Courtesy: WWE

Carmella is the best suited for the Ms. Money in the Bank gimmick. Her character has come a long way since debuting on the main roster and she and Ellsworth work very well together. The promo she cut on the post-MITB SmackDown Live was her best yet. This is just a minor setback for the couple and I have no doubt Carmella will make a fabulous SmackDown women's champion sooner rather than later. You can bank on that.