My MITB pick is ABC

MITB 2017 participants
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Money in the Bank is right around the corner and I'm pretty excited because I will be in the crowd that night in St. Louis. It'll be even more fun because I missed WrestleMania this year and I'm going with a group from Stride Pro Wrestling along with my long lost pal Weston. Chad and his nephew will also be there, so it's going to be a fun night. I'm also hitting up the Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard show earlier in the day. But I digress...

I have not picked a winner yet for MITB, I think it's too early to do that. As we know U.S. Champion Kevin Owens, Nakamura, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn are the combatants. My title says ABC, which means Anyone But Corbin. It pains me to say that because I have really focused on trying to be more positive with my posts in recent months. But I do not understand the love for Corbin from within the machine. 

Corbin talks, I don't listen
Courtesy: WWE

I have nothing but respect for anyone who becomes a WWE Superstar. But that doesn't mean they're all going to be liked by the fans. Corbin falls into that category for me. His character hasn't connected with me. That's not to say it never will, as there have been past Superstars I didn't like but then became a fan of later. Brock Lesnar, Billy Gunn and Albert/Tensai are just a few. 

Once MITB gets closer I'll expand more on my thoughts of a winner. I hope the rumors of a Baron Corbin push are just that and he does not ascend to the top of the ladder and grab that briefcase on June 18. But if he does, I'll get over it. I survived the Diesel years after all. 

Backlash 2017 preview

Orton vs. Mahal
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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My TV consumption has dropped significantly in the last week or so. Our rabbit chewed the cord to our DirecTV router, so I missed Raw & SmackDown Live and hadn't finished watching the previous week's shows either. So I'm a bit disconnected but have been keeping tabs online. That being said, here are some quick thoughts on Backlash. And sorry I'm neglecting NXT: Takeover, as I haven't tuned into the program in a while either.  Too many side projects going on... but I digress.

Randy Orton will retain the WWE Championship. I don't think the feud with Jinder Mahal is over yet and with rumors swirling that WWE wants to give him a big push I won't be surprised if he wins the belt, but I fear they're also gearing up Baron Corbin for a run against Orton.

That being said, Corbin will beat Sami Zayn. Then I and half the IWC will scowl.

Breezango will win the WWE Tag Team Titles. I can't believe I just typed that, but they seem to be over like rover right now and why not give them a chance?

Kevin Owens will retain the U.S. Title against AJ Styles. Had they not hot potatoed the belt with Owens and Jericho recently, I would have figured Styles for the win. I still think AJ will win the match, just not the belt.

Nakamura will beat Dolph Ziggler. But I could see this ending with Dolph winning to throw a swerve at the fans and piss off most of the IWC. (For the record, I'm a big Dolph Ziggler fan still.)
Luke Harper will beat Erik Rowan in a 50/50 booking match.

The Welcoming Committee will beat Naomi, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, hopefully after Charlotte turns on her partners.

Tye Dillinger will beat Aiden English.

SummerSlam injury updates

Lesnar draws blood
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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SummerSlam weekend was a brutal one for many Superstars. Some may have long term effects on the current storylines in play.

Joe gets medical attention
Courtesy: WWE

Samoa Joe suffered a dislocated jaw during his NXT Championship loss to Nakamura at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II Saturday night. The injury happened after two Kinshasas to the now former champion. Joe says his jaw was set back in place shortly after the match. He should be cleared to wrestle again in the near future.

Sasha gets dropped

Sasha Banks took a beating en route to losing the WWE Women's Championship. Reports online state she had some nagging injuries prior to her defense against Charolette and was planning to take time off to allow for healing. That's why she dropped the title so quickly. No word if she was further injured during the championship match at SummerSlam.

Brutalizing Randy Orton
Courtesy: WWE

Randy Orton now has 10 staples in his head after the brutal beating he received from Brock Lesnar. The Beast went nuts and knocked out the former champ with a couple of vicious elbows in the main event. No word how long Orton will be out (and don't read the reports that he's been suspended. An old story on WWE.com has resurfaced today about his second Wellness Police violation in 2012).

Power bombed!
Courtesy: WWE

Perhaps the most concerning from a storyline point of view is Finn Balor. The first WWE Universal Champion suffered an arm injury during his battle with Seth Rollins. Many believe it happened when Rollins power bombed the Demon King on the barricade outside the ring. Balor was seen after the show with a sling, but when he appeared on Good Morning America Monday morning he was not wearing any sort of support. Hopefully if he is injured it will not require surgery and the program WWE has planned will move forward.