Published: 3 minutes ago by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: 12 hours ago by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
WWE
The holder of the WWE Money in the Bank briefcase gets a championship opportunity, with Penta eyeing Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn.
With Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn set to face each other for the WWE Crown Jewel Championship, coming out of that match, either the World Heavyweight Champion or the Undisputed WWE Championship could be in Penta’s sights.
There are, as history has shown, more opportunities for Penta beyond the two top championships, though:
Zayn and Reigns
With their WWE Crown Jewel Championship match taking place on November 7, Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns exchanged words of Raw, with The OTC making it clear that the World Heavyweight Championship was the top title because he holds it.
Zayn would vent his frustration, taking umbrage at Reigns and his attempt to diminish the Undisputed WWE Champion and his accomplishment, although the Raw star was unrepentant.
Penta would appear towards the end of the segment, reminding both men that he is next in line to the throne, wherever he may choose to cash in.
World Heavyweight Championship
The current World Heavyweight Championship was introduced in 2023 and has been the subject of three cash-ins since then.
Damian Priest would cash in against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40, shortly after the star defeated Seth Rollins to claim the title on April 7, 2024.
Money in the Bank on July 6, 2024, would see less success for Drew McIntyre, with his cash-in seeing him added to the World Heavyweight Championship match on the same night, with Damian Priest retaining over Rollins and McIntyre.
Seth Rollins would cash in at SummerSlam last year, defeating CM Punk after the star beat GUNTHER in the night 1 main event on August 2.
The original WWE World Heavyweight Championship would also see its own fair share of cash-in attempts.
Undisputed WWE Championship
The Undisputed WWE Championship has been a target over the years.
Previously the WWE Championship, the title was the obvious choice for anyone holding a Money in the Bank briefcase, right back to Edge and his cash-in attempt at New Year’s Revolution in 2006, defeating John Cena, shortly after the star had retained in an Elimination Chamber match.
For Penta, the Raw star would switch brands if he were to challenge Sami Zayn and be victorious, reuniting him on SmackDown with Rey Fenix.
WWE United States Championship
Austin Theory avoided the challenge of cashing in on Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, targetting the United States Championship instead.
The first time the Money in the Bank cash-in had targeted a non-world title, Theory (as he was known at the time) would be unsuccessful in the attempt against Seth Rollins.
A former WWE Intercontinental Champion, it’s unlikely Penta’s cash-in will see him sidestep towards the United States Championship, although stranger things have happened.
AAA Mega Championship
After winning the Money in the Bank ladder match, Penta would state he has “a big surprise for everyone” during comments made at the post-show media event.
The nature of that “big surprise” is yet to be seen, although all signs point to either Reigns or Zayn and their respective championships.
A curveball would be utilizing Penta in familiar territory, with the star cashing in for the AAA Mega Championship, currently held by El Grande Americano.
While such a match would, no doubt, be a thrill ride for WWE and AAA fans, it would perhaps sour the direction of Penta as a main roster star as he grasps the proverbial brass ring.
Again, there’s nothing stopping WWE from going in that direction, particularly as a way to further elevate AAA, but it would be a bold move that could very well disappoint on many levels.
The feud beyond the briefcase
As was demonstrated on last night’s WWE Raw, Bron Breakker is still frustrated with the outcome of the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, although it appears he’s heading towards a rivalry with Je’Von Evans.
That said, Penta vs. Breakker is a standout match for the future, with the idea of it being for the World Heavyweight Championship adding extra gravitas, assuming the luchador can overcome Reigns.
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