21Fireworks erupted from the stage, signalling the beginning of Money in the Bank, fans cheered and looked on in expectation as the night's match card promised some exciting matches.
"Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to Money in the Bank. I am Michael Cole, with me I have JBL and Jerry "The King" Lawler." Cole opened the show
"We have stacked and exciting card today, as the King of the Ring tournament ends, Brock Lesnar and the Undertaker settle their feud once and for all and we determine a possible champion, in the Money in the Bank Ladder match..." he announced when Cole continued
"And we determine the fate of Seth Rollins and the Authority..." he began just to have JBL cut him off
"There is nothing to be determined, tonight Seth Rollins finds out why Triple H is the King of Kings." JBL replied
"But first we open the night with the Intercontinental Title Open Challenge." Cole said
"What can we expect, since the Undertaker himself announced that Sheamus will lose today." the King said as the champion walked out
Sheamus came out, with the Intercontinental title around his waist, as he walked down the ramp the fans booed singularly but of course this didn't affect him he was there to fight and be the champion, he had no interest in what they taught. When he took the first steps around the ring the champion started removing the title from around his waist and then placed it on his right shoulder, he then signaled for a microphone which was given to him and then he began to speak.
"I'm waiting..." he said with a small laugh
"I'm waiting for this demon who will defeat me..." he continued mockingly
"I think the Undertaker was mistaken..." he continued just for the lights to go down cutting him off
Red lights began to bathe the arena, as purple smoke dropped down the ramp and around the ring, completely surrounding Sheamus who now seemed somewhat worried. Finally something emerged in the titantron and a music began to play, he didn't recognize it but saw the fans excitement begin to grow and chants rained down on him.
"NXT! NXT! NXT!..." some chanted on
"Finn Bálor...Finn Bálor..." others began to roar between claps
"It can't be!" Michael Cole replied in shock
Then when the music hit it's highest point, something finally broke through the fog, it was the demon, Finn Bálor extended his arms towards the roaring fans, continuing his methodical crawl towards the ring and his opponent, Sheamus new had a small nervous smirk on his face seeing that the challenger was nothing more then a rookie, still the fact that the Undertaker had announced this gave him a reason to be more cautious.
"Come on Michael Finn Bálor is a NXT rookie, he can't expect to come out here and take-down Sheamus in his first match, specially for the title." JBL announced
Bálor placed himself on top of the ring corner starring down the champion, who now walked to the sides in what seemed to be an attempt to escape this mind-game. Once the imposing display was finished both men stood in their opposite corners, Sheamus still with a small grin and Bálor serious and ready for a fight, then the bell rang beginning the match.
Sheamus epidemically went for the Brogue Kick, rushing towards Bálor he lifted his foot for the devastating blow just to have the rookie dodged to his right, causing his foot to hit the ring-corner. Bálor having dodged the attack went around his opponent and jumped on his back taking him down with a Backstabber, the demon rolled to the center of the ring facing a stunned Sheamus, he taught that maybe this rookie could do more.
They approach each other and lock up, they struggle for dominance till Sheamus gains the upper hand and places the demon in a side headlock, followed by a takedown sending Bálor back first into the ground, Sheamus released his hold. He proceed by grabbing his opponent by the neck and started to lift him up, when the demon got on his knees he started fighting back, landing hard punches on the gut of the Celtic Warrior loosening up the hold he had on him, with every punch it got looser and looser and Bálor once more stood on his feet with some distance between the two. Sheamus took a few steps back to break and went for a desperate clothesline, the rookie dodged going under his arm, Sheamus looked back getting hit with a Pele Kick.
Once more Sheamus was in the ground and Finn stood over him, the Celtic Warrior erupted back up in rage and charged at his opponent wrapped his arms around Bálor and ran him into the right upper corner smashing the NXT rookie into the corner, he proceeded to ram his shoulder into the demon's gut. After three devastating hits the Celtic Warrior stopped and walked to the corner behind them, waiting for Bálor to get back up, the demon used the top ropes to keep himself up when the champion charged back at him, but now Bálor leapfrogged right over Sheamus causing the rushing opponent to crash shoulder first into the ring corner.
Bálor went for the roll-up pin on his stunned opponent, but Sheamus managed to kick out at 2 and quickly sat up but he was still stunned so Bálor ran into the ropes and came back taking the champion down with a low dropkick. The challenger started lifting Sheamus up for a inverted DDT, but the champion grabbed Bálor's right arm before he could hold him tight for the move and moved to Bálor's right twisting the arm forcing the demon to stop the attack as he was pulled forwards into the knee of the champion.
The demon fell forwards, just to be picked up and once more driven into Sheamus's knee with a Gutbuster and this was followed by the pin, but the demon remains alive as the referee almost hits the three count. The Celtic Warrior with a visible look of frustration positioned his opponent for a Power-Bomb, he lifted him up for the finishing blow when Bálor began raining punches to his head, still Sheamus ran forward trying to send him into the ramp. He threw Bálor once they reached the ropes, but the NXT rookie held on to the ropes with his hands and holding Sheamus with his legs he threw his adversary into thee outside.
Sheamus arched his back as it hit the floor, Bálor now on the edge of the apron waited for the opportunity to strike, the IC champion got on his knees and locked up as the demon jumped forward with a dropkick flooring both of them. The official began to count, Finn was the first up on his feet but Sheamus grabbed on to his left foot trying to keep him out for the ten count, now at the count of four, Finn stepped on the arm and freed himself retreating back into the ring, soon followed by Sheamus.
Again they looked each other down, Finn charged at him just to be caught mid rush in a Irish Curse, now he didn't go for the pin as Sheamus started raining punches on his opponents face, blow after blow the demon stopped moving, now the champion went for the pin and yet again the demon remained in the match. The champion staggered back up, even pushing the referee aside, once more he went to the corner and prepared to land the Brogue Kick, Bálor first got on all fours then slowly on his weakly legs and looked up at the approaching doom. Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick, that for the second time his opponent dodge running into the corner, the Celtic Warrior charged back at him but was received with a dropkick that sent him into the opposing ring corner.
Finn ran back and landed another dropkick, causing Sheamus to collapse on the floor in front of the post, Bálor quickly turned him face up and climbed the corner, under the roars of the fans he lunged and hit the Coup de Grace. He fell on the body of Sheamus as the official began to count, one,two and three.
"Finn Bálor has just defeated Sheamus and won the Intercontinental Championship on his first match!" the King announced over the cheering fans
Finn Bálor held the title in his right hand, lifting it up as the fans accepted and welcomed him into the main roster after such a hard fought battle.
"I've got to say this young man just proved me and many of the people in the back that he has what it takes to win." JBL said
As they celebrated a gong echoed and lights went down again, fog began to roll down the ramp with blue and purple lights bathing the arena, the Phenom, the one who had foreseen this defeat steeped on stage, he stopped right at the beginning of the ramp and looked into the ring at Bálor, on his knees from the brutal battle, looked back at the Undertaker, the veteran gave him a small nod of respect with the new champion giving on in return. The Deadman walked back and Finn started doing the same, as the next match approached.
"The Undertaker, a veteran, as just given Finn Bálor a sign of respect, that he believes that Bálor has what it takes to make it big in the WWE." Cole concluded
"Now we have the first semi-final in the King of the Ring tournament, with Kallisto vs Hollywood Curtis Axel." King announced
Kallisto was the first to come out, showered by the cheers of the fans, the young man made his way into the ring.
"This young man, Kallisto, has come so far in so short a time." Cole bega
"But in his way he has the power of the NWO, in Hollywood Curtis Axel." JBL roared back
"That is correct and it's been announced today that who ever wins the title of King will get a title-shot for the Intercontinental championship at SummerSlam." Cole continued
Axel followed Kallisto, with the NWO theme playing, the man made his way into the ring, smiling at the fans who booed him back but Hollywood didn't care he was above them, both men meet in the ring and the match started.
Curtis Axel charged trying to take Kallisto down with a clothesline, but the smaller man dodged under his arm Axel quickly turned back but Kallisto jumped off the middle rope and threw himself into Axel flooring him. Kallisto got back up and ran to the opposite ropes , he came back at his opponent who was now on his knees and threw him back down with a hurricanrana.
The luchador once more went to the ropes, but this time Axel caught and threw him over his head with a Belly-to-Belly Suplex, Kallisto's back arched as he hit the floor. Hollywood Axel, grabbed on to his opponents mask and sitting him up began to apply pressure with a sleeper-hold. Kallisto didn't give up, he managed to get on his knees and started throwing elbows backwards into his opponent starting to wear him down and lifting the old, the NWO member staggered back now Kallisto began to deliver low kicks to the legs of his attacker, dropping Curtis to one knee.
Hollywood Axel looked as Kallisto threw him down with a dropkick, the only thing he could manage was rolling out of the ring to escape the assault he was suffering at the hands of the luchador. Hollywood took a breath near the ramp, as the referee began to count him out, Kallisto not wanting to wait climbed the ring corner and jumped at his staggered opponent. Axel surprisingly wrapped his arms around his flying opponent and proceed to slam him into the ramp with an Exploder Suplex, Hollywood began to signal to the crowd mocking his fallen opponent.
Kallisto didn't have time to react as Axel threw him back into the ring and prepared to end him, the luchador slowly stumbled to his feet just for Hollywood to take him down with a Big Boot, followed by the Running Leg Drop, Kallisto collapsed while Curtis Axel went for the pin, but the luchador survived at the two count.
"My God! Kallisto just kicked out of the Atomic Leg Drop." King said unbelieving of what he had just seen
"He's just delaying the inhabitable." JBL replied
By now Axel had his victim in a Bear-Hug, Kallisto like always began to fight back and threw punches at his opponents's face, Curtis dropped him and received a Dropkick to his chest sending him into the ropes. Kallisto charged but his attack quickly stopped with another Big Boot, Kallisto fell once more Hollywood looked over him and then got an idea, he climbed to the left lower corner, after making sure his opponent wasn't going to move he jumped to hit a flying Atomic Leg Drop, but in the end Kallisto moved.
Axel hit the ground hard, but quickly recovered and turned around to face Kallisto who gave him another kick to his right leg, Axel fell to one knee so Kallisto hit him with an Enziguri, making impact with the back of the head of the NWO member who proceeded to collapse for the one,two,three.
"What an upset win tonight for Kallisto!" Chole announced over the roars of the fans
"He just proved that he deserves to be in this tournament." King continued
"He still has a match tonight and we all now that in the end it's going to take much more to get the title of King of the Ring." JBL spat back
As the winners music began to play, Sin Cara the other Lucha Dragon came out, but he was wearing black and white, he joined his friend in the ring and raised Kallisto's arm joining in the short celebration. When Kallisto climbed up the lower left corner, Sin Cara attacked pushing him off into the floor, the luchador squirmed in pain, Curtis Axel now with a chair in his hand began punishing the body of his former opponent till Kallisto stopped trying to get back up, both Hollywood and Sin Cara looked at each other and gave themselves a thumbs up.
"What just happened!?" Cole shouted, in total shock
"Sin Cara just traded up, he was tiered of being in Kallisto's shadow and joined someone who could bring him to greatness, the NWO." JBL explained
"And now it's the Money in the Bank Ladder match, Cesaro, Neville, Daniel Bryan, Ryback, Roman Reings and one surprise participant will do battle for the opportunity to face the WWE champion." King announced
First to come out was Cesaro, he made his way to the ring bathed by the cheers of the fans, he entered the ring and awaited for the rest to come out, next was Neville.
"Neville, coming out of a great win over Randy Orton, maybe he can take the contract tonight." Cole said
"He was lucky to defeat Orton, because if it wasn't that we all know he wouldn't be here." JBL growled back
Soon everyone was in the ring, Ryback seemed specially eager to start, but there was still one person missing, everyone waited in anticipation to who it could be. The crowed went silent, but immediately began to cheer once more as a former NXT champion Samy Zain made his way down the ramp.
"OH my God it's Sami Zayn, a former NXT Champion!" Cole announced, even if the fans knew pretty well who he was
Zayn entered the ring and stared down his opponents not showing any signs of sympathy towards any of them, even Neville, then his eyes went up to the briefcase hanging on top of them, the contestants took their positions as the bell rang.
Ryback exploded out of corner going straight for Reigns tackling him over the top-rope, Neville and Cesaro started to lockup yet the smaller man managed to slip way and take the Swiss Superman down with a roll-up, Cesaro rolled back up just to be thrown into the ropes with a dropkick Neville once more charged at Cesaro but his attack was stopped with an uppercut.
Meanwhile Zayn and Brian were just tearing into each other with elbows to the face, Daniel managed to get the upper hand throwing Zayn into the lower left corner he charged at the stunned opponent just for Sami to throw his right foot up, Daniel stumbled back so Zayn tried the Exploder Suplex into the corner, however Brian managed to hold on and started delivering punches to the gut loosening the hold Zayn had on him and finalizing it a Snap Suplex of his own.
On the outside Roman and Ryback continued to trade ferocious blows, Reigns threw a right hand to the jaw finally stunning the Big Guy and then proceeded to pull him into a ladder standing next to them, causing to fall over on impact. Roman proceeded to enter the ring and go wild, lunging into the ring he threw himself at Cesaro with a crossbody, causing the Swiss Superman to roll out of the ring, and clotheslined Neville over the top rope. His eyes fell on the two remaining man in the ring, Sami and Brian looked back at the Samoan and the three waited to see who would attack first, Roman went straight for Brian who managed to go under his attackers arm and ran into the ropes, Sami took this opportunity to attack the former Shield member with a Claf Kick sending Roman staggering back so that Daniel took him down with a clothesline.
Before Sami and Brian could continue a ladder made it's way into the ring and at Brian taking him down, it was Ryback he tackled Sami down and stumped him out of the ring, clearing it for the time being. Setting the ladder up in the center of the ring he began to make his way up, Reigns stumbled back to the ladder and started throwing punches and trying to push the Big Guy down, but Ryback managed to hold on and kick Roman back. Cesaro finally was back in the ring, this time with a ladder, he charged hitting Roman in the back and then rammed it into Ryback the Swiss Superman dropped his ladder and began to climb the already set ladder, once he was at the top his arms reached up but Daniel Brian was already up there.
Both men threw blows back and forth, Cesaro seemingly got the upper hand with an uppercut and grabbed Brian's hair to push him off he lifted his head up but got a elbow to the face knocking him off. Daniel stretched his arms out to the briefcase, then the ladder began to move, Daniel looked down just in time to see Sami trying to lift the ladder's legs up from the floor, and with one big pull the ladder tipped over sending Daniel Brian crashing down into the ropes hitting his left arm on impact.
Sami took a breath from such a spending effort, his eye then caught something to his left, from the ropes Neville lunged himself at his opponent taking him down, Neville placed the ladder back up and then placed the other ladder in between the ropes and the steps of the other ladder, Ryback staggered back up and went after the smaller guy he tackled Neville down and proceeded to plant his opponent into the mat with a gutwrench powerbomb, the Big Guy noticed Sami who was now on his knees and delivered a running kick to the ribs flipping Zayn on his back, then came Cesaro with an uppercut he threw Ryback into the ropes and continued to throw uppercuts several times, the Big Guy managed to find an opening and delivered a punch to the ribs causing the Swiss Superman to stop his assault.
The Big Guy followed up with a kick to the gut and lifted the Swiss Superman for the Shell Shocked, luckily for Cesaro Roman Reigns made the save with a Superman Punch sending the NWO member crashing down taking Cesaro with him. Roman turned back to the ladder and Daniel Bryan was standing right behind it, they didn't waste anytime rushing up it, Brian climbed from the side where the other ladder was attached, they meet at the top and began to trade punches, till Roman grabbed Brian's hair and gave him a devastating headbutt throwing him off the ladder.
Roman reached out for the briefcase, by now Cesaro had decided to climb the ladder, by the same side Roman was in the Swiss Superman delivered elbows to the back of his opponents back, and ripped him away from the prize with a superplex from the ladder once again freeing the ladder, Roman squirmed on impact rolling out of the ring along with Cesaro. Neville seeing that the path was clear he rushed up the ring, but he wasn't alone as Ryback made his way up the high flyer was quick to try and throw his opponent down, but Ryback just continued to hang on, that was till Sami went up the side of the ladder and started his own assault on the Big Guy and pulled his leg from the step right as Neville punched him in the face causing him to fall on the ladder that was placed in the standing ladder, Neville down at Ryback who was already moving so he made a risky decision, he stood at the top of the ladder and jumped with Moonsault, sending himself into Ryback and the Big Guy through the ladder.
Sami stumbled back to his feet and so did Brian, they once again went for each other and started throwing elbows seemingly trying to knock the other guy out after tacking a specially stiff elbow Brian stepped backwards to the ropes and then stumbled back for a Reverse Atomic Drop, Sami was ready to climb the ladder when he felt Cesaro's arms around his waist for a suplex, but he began to squirm around breaking free of the hold and placed himself behind the Swiss Superman finally taking him out with the Blue Phunder Bomb.
Zayn began a slow climb to the top, looking down he wasn't the only one climbing the ladder in the opposite side was Neville, both men visibly exhausted from the match, Zayn threw a right hand just for Neville to block and throw his own right, which Sami grabbed and replied with a headbutt, Neville almost fell back managing to hold on and come back with a chop, Sami went slightly back and then moved forwards so Neville pulled his face down on the top of the ladder, Sami fell back leaving Neville alone. The young man looked up, hearing the cheers of the fans, he finally managed to adquire the briefcase, the match was over and Neville was the new Mr Money in the Bank.
"After defeating Randy Orton, Neville just won the Money in the Bank contract!" King roared in excitement
"This had nothing to do with luck, he proved to you and all of these people here that he deserves to be here and deserves to fight for the WWE championship." Cole announced, looking at JBL
"Well see." JBL replied in a less then excited tone
"Up next it will be the match for the United States Championship, as Goldberg goes 1 on 1 with Bray Wyatt." Cole announced
