Final WWE Money In The Bank 2018 Pro Wrestling Betting Odds
–‘Money in the Bank 2018’ will feature stars from both WWE brands with ‘Raw’ and ‘Smackdown’ competitors represented.
–This is the 9th ‘Money in the Bank’ event and will be held at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois
–‘WWE Money in the Bank 2018’ will take place on Sunday, June 17 beginning at 8 PM Eastern on the WWE Network
The next WWE PPV will continue the new practice of intermingling the RAW and Smackdown brands as ‘Money in the Bank’ 2018 will take place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. We posted our opening numbers last week and also discussed the future of the PPV concept in the new big money TV landscape. The pro wrestling world has done a 180 to the point that the most significant platform financially is broadcast television. That’s the case for the WWE at least and with the PPV concept on ‘life support’ already due to the popularity of the promotion’s eponymously named network we could quickly reach a point where the biggest matches and angles are served up on Smackdown. This new era of pro wrestling was discussed at length in our previous post so go check it out.
Here are what should be the final odds for the 2018 WWE ‘Money in the Bank’ PPV as of June 11, 2018. There are now 11 matches on the card which probably should be the final lineup but I’m never surprised when the WWE tries to squeeze another match or two into the lineup or at the very least on some sort of ‘preshow’. All of the odds below have been updated and I’ve included some new star ratings props tied in to both this show and the June 9 New Japan Pro Wrestling ‘Dominion 2018’ show held at Osaka-Jo Hall.
A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW….
WWE will be hard pressed to match the quality of the aforementioned NJPW ‘Dominion 2018’ show. Granted, they probably don’t see it that way but ‘Dominion’ was among the best wrestling shows I’ve ever seen. I’m under no illusion that the WWE feels pressured to outdo New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) on a qualitative basis. For one thing, they clearly target different audiences and particularly among US fans. There’s nothing wrong with multiple brands and styles of pro wrestling peacefully coexisting. For some reason, however, the juxtaposition of the WWE and a Japanese promotion got me thinking about Vince McMahon’s early problems finding a hold in the ‘land of the rising sun’.
The WWE has gained some traction in Japan which they struggled to do early on when they were working with the now defunct Super World of Sports (SWS) promotion. This was during their ‘Hulkamania’ US expansion era–the most vivid memory from the WWE’s Japanese promotional efforts with SWS is the now infamous match between ‘Earthquake’ John Tenta and Koji Kitao which turned into a ‘shoot’. Many people in the US weren’t aware that ‘Earthquake’ had a short but successful sumo career. In fact, John Tenta won all 24 of his career sumo bouts but retired from the sport as quickly as he had burst onto the scene. This became a big story in Japan punctuated by a cultural divide between Canadian Tenta’s ‘Western Ways’ and the insular and traditional sumo world. Tenta’s ‘party line’ was that he didn’t want to make the lifestyle sacrifices that sumo required. Furthermore, the hard sumo ring (dohyō) surface was doing a number on his body:
I love Japan, but I can`t say that sumo is for me. It`s just that. I like my freedom and I want a chance to live my life the way I want.
Nothing I have ever done–not football, not college wrestling–compares with the kind of physical abuse you inflict on your body in sumo. There`s no let-up. Not even when you`re injured or sick. That was really hard for me to accept. But I can already see that I am much stronger because of it.
There’s no doubt that this part is true. The surface of the sumo ring is hard clay covered with sand and you can imagine that this isn’t pleasant to take a ‘bump’ on. Likewise, the sumo lifestyle is deeply rooted in tradition and ritual and notoriously demanding.
AND NOW…THE REST OF THE STORY
Tenta also got some heat within the sumo world due to a tattoo of a tiger on his left bicep. This sounds innocuous enough but not by Japanese standards–tattoos have historically been associated with the yakuza and have always been highly stigmatized. In the early stages of his career he covered his tat with a bandage during competition but were Tenta to have moved up to sumo’s higher ranks he would have seriously had to get a *skin graft* to cover them up. You might think that this would be a relic of the past given the ubiquity of tattoos in the 21st century. While there has been some incremental change in perception–most commonly among youth subcultures–tattoos are still seriously frowned upon. To this day a visible tattoo might keep you out of public swimming pools, hot springs, beaches and even some gyms. The full story is a bit more nuanced–Japanese culture is starting to make a distinction between ‘yakuza style’ tattoos and ‘fashion’ or ‘Western style’ tattoos. In my experience, most people and businesses have a different (and typically less restrictive) standard for Westerners with ink. Business where tattoos have been historically objectionable often allow tatted up customers provided they have a bandage or some other covering over the ink. This is particularly true for more tourist oriented businesses. Then again, there’s still plenty of places where this doesn’t work and a tattoo will get you the boot–even if it’s just a butterfly tramp stamp or something equally harmless.
Tenta’s tattoo was something of a visible sign of a culture clash. After he ‘retired’ from sumo his stablemaster Sadogatake ‘cut a promo’ on him:
I don`t know what he`s thinking about. I want to talk to him, but personally I`m disgusted with foreigners and won`t take one on again.
So too did the managing director of the Japan Sumo Association at the time, Kiyotaka Kasugano:
He became arrogant. The media kept writing that he had set this record of 21 consecutive wins and he became overconfident. He thought it would be easy. But there is no job in this world that is harder. It is better for him to leave.
Koji Kitao was definitely a pariah in the world of sumo and notorious as the first yokozuna to be expelled from the sport. His downfall was a bad temper leading to a ‘breach of decorum’:
Futahaguro’s (Kitao’s ‘sumo name’) sin was that he possessed a wicked temper, and displayed it in particularly nasty style last Sunday by kicking the 88-year-old head of his supporters’ group and then shoving and injuring his master’s wife. A Breach of Decorum
It was, sumo elders agreed, an unspeakable breach of decorum, and so they accepted his forced resignation Thursday, the first time such a disgrace had befallen any of the 62 wrestlers who have held the rank of yokozuna over the last 300 years.
Kitao then moved to pro wrestling which also got a ton of coverage including a Sports Illustrated article. He had his ups and downs in a ten year puroresu career along with (surprise, surprise) a few big controversies caused by his temper. But that’s a story for another time.
Here’s the final odds for the WWE ‘Money in the Bank 2018’ PPV event:
WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2018 PRO WRESTLING BETTING ODDS UPDATED JUNE 11, 2018
SINGLES MATCHES
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Shinsuke Nakamura: -150
AJ Styles: +130
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Alexa Bliss: +450
Ronda Rousey: -600
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Carmella: +180
Asuka: -210
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Elias: +300
Seth Rollins: -350
SINGLES MATCH
Roman Reigns: -750
Jinder Mahal: +600
SINGLES MATCH
Bobby Lashley: -600
Sami Zayn: +450
SINGLES MATCH
Daniel Bryan: -170
Big Cass: +150
TAG TEAM MATCHES
WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Matt Hardy/Bray Wyatt: -350
The B Team: +300
WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Bludgeon Brothers: -750
Karl Anderson/Doc Gallows: +600
MONEY IN THE BANK PROPOSITION ODDS
TO WIN MONEY IN THE BANK MATCHES
2 RAW Wrestlers: +325
2 Smackdown Wrestlers: +225
1 wrestler from each brand: -250
WHICH WILL OCCUR FIRST?
Men’s MIB Stipulation ‘Cash In’ Match: -150
Women’s MIB Stipulation ‘Cash In’ Match: +130
WILL ANY BRIEFCASE ‘CASH IN’ HAPPEN DURING THE 2018 MONEY IN THE BANK PPV CARD?
Yes: -150
No: +130
MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK MATCH
TO WIN MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK MATCH
Braun Stroman: +350
The Miz: +500
Rusev: +500
Samoa Joe: +700
Finn Balor: +700
Kevin Owens: +950
Big E: +1000
Kofi Kingston: +1250
Bobby Roode: +1500
Xavier Woods: +1500
TO WIN MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK MATCH
RAW Brand Wrestler: +300
Smackdown Brand Wrestler: -350
MEN’S MIB STIPULATION WILL BE ‘CASHED IN’ AGAINST
WWE Universal Champion: -120
WWE Champion: -210
MEN’S MIB STIPULATION WILL BE ‘CASHED IN’
On RAW or Smackdown: +210
Any other show or PPV: -250
MEN’S MIB STIPULATION WILL BE ‘CASHED IN’
Before August 20, 2018: -210
On or After August 20, 2018: +180
WINNER OF MEN’S MIB ‘CASHED IN’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion: +500
MIB Challenger: -650
WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK MATCH
TO WIN WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK MATCH
Natalya: +250
Charlotte Flair: +350
Ember Moon: +450
Alexa Bliss: +500
Sasha Banks: +750
Becky Lynch: +750
Naomi: +1000
Lana: +1250
TO WIN WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK MATCH
RAW Brand Wrestler: -210
Smackdown Brand Wrestler: +180
WOMEN’S MIB STIPULATION WILL BE ‘CASHED IN’ AGAINST
WWE RAW Women’s Champion: -120
WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion: +100
WOMEN’S MIB STIPULATION WILL BE ‘CASHED IN’
On RAW or Smackdown: +210
Any other show or PPV: -250
WOMEN’S MIB STIPULATION WILL BE ‘CASHED IN’
Before August 20, 2018: -210
On or After August 20, 2018: +180
WINNER OF WOMEN’S MIB ‘CASHED IN’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion: +300
MIB Challenger: -350
2018 MONEY IN THE BANK NJPW/WWE CROSS PROMOTIONAL STAR RATINGS PROPS
WHICH WILL BE HIGHER?
Highest star rated match on the New Japan Pro Wrestling ‘Dominion 2018’ card held June 9, 2018: -250
Highest star rated match on the WWE ‘Money in the Bank 2018’ PPV +1.5 stars: +210
WHICH WILL BE HIGHER?
Average star rating from the New Japan Pro Wrestling ‘Dominion 2018’ card held June 9, 2018: -350
Average star rating on the WWE ‘Money in the Bank 2018’ PPV +1 star: +300
WHICH WILL BE HIGHER?
Total stars awarded for the New Japan Pro Wrestling ‘Dominion 2018’ card held June 9, 2018 (9 matches): -210
Total stars awarded for the WWE ‘Money in the Bank 2018’ PPV (11 matches): +180
WHICH WILL BE LOWER?
Lowest star rated match on the New Japan Pro Wrestling ‘Dominion 2018’ card held June 9, 2018: +300
Lowest star rated match on the WWE ‘Money in the Bank 2018’ PPV: -350
All of the above star rating props will be based on the above eleven referenced ‘Money in the Bank’ matches which were the listed ‘official’ matches as of the time of this writing. Any additional matches will be disregarded for the purpose of the star rating bets. NJPW ‘Dominion 2018’ ratings will be published in Wrestling ObserverNewsletter dated 6/18/18.
2018 MONEY IN THE BANK STAR RATINGS PROPS
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE MEN’S ‘MONEY IN THE BANK’ MATCH?
Over 3.5 stars: +175
3.5 stars: +115
Under 3.5 stars: +135
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE WOMEN’S ‘MONEY IN THE BANK’ MATCH?
Over 2.5 stars: +175
2.5 stars: +115
Under 2.5 stars: +135
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE SHINSUKE NAKAMURA VS. AJ STYLES WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH?
Over 3.5 stars: +175
3.5 stars: +105
Under 3.5 stars: +125
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE NIA JAX VS. RONDA ROUSEY WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH?
Over 2.5 stars: +190
2.5 stars: +110
Under 2.5 stars: +125
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE ELIAS VS. SETH ROLLINS WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH?
Over 3 stars: +175
3 stars: +105
Under 3 stars: +125
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS VS. LUKE GALLOWS/KARL ANDERSON WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH?
Over 3 stars: +175
3 stars: +105
Under 3 stars: +125
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE MATT HARDY/BRAY WYATT VS. THE B TEAM WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH?
Over 3 stars: +175
3 stars: +105
Under 3 stars: +125
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE ASUKA VS. CARMELLA WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH?
Over 3 stars: +145
3 stars: +105
Under 3 stars: +135
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE ROMAN REIGNS VS. JINDER MAYHAL MATCH?
Over 2.5 stars: +125
2.5 stars: +125
Under 2.5 stars: +155
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE BOBBY LASHLEY VS. SAMI ZAYN MATCH?
Over 2.5 stars: +125
2.5 stars: +125
Under 2.5 stars: +155
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S STAR RATING FOR THE DANIEL BRYAN VS. BIG CASS MATCH?
Over 2.5 stars: +155
2.5 stars: +125
Under 2.5 stars: +135
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S HIGHEST MATCH STAR RATING AT ‘WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2018’ WILL BE?
3.5 stars or Over: -250
Under 3.5 stars +210
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S LOWEST MATCH STAR RATING AT ‘WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2018’ WILL BE?
Over 2.25 stars: +150
Under 2.25 stars -170
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S AVERAGE STAR RATING AT ‘WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2018’ WILL BE?
2.75 stars or more: +130
Under 2.75 stars -150
THE WRESTLING OBSERVER/DAVE MELTZER’S TOTAL STARS AWARDED AT ‘WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2018’ WILL BE?
35 stars or more: +130
Under 35 stars -150
All star rating props will be based on the above eleven referenced matches which were the listed ‘official’ matches as of the time of this writing. Any additional matches will be disregarded for the purpose of the star rating bets.