WWE is saving one of its biggest matches for last on the September 25 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. CM Punk, Finn Balor and Gunther are set to close the show with the final spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match hanging in the balance.
According to the early rundown from Viper Reports, the Men’s Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match is currently scheduled for the main event. That means WWE plans to finish the night with three former world champions fighting over one ticket to New Orleans. There’s no safety net here, either. Only one of Punk, Balor and Gunther moves on to Money in the Bank, while the other two are left completely out of the ladder match.
Punk has a lot riding on this one after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Sami Zayn in Mexico City. Getting his hands on the Money in the Bank briefcase would give him a very convenient way to shove himself right back into the championship picture.
Gunther and Balor obviously aren’t showing up to play supporting roles. With three major names stuffed into one qualifier, WWE clearly sees this as more than just another match on the card — and putting it in the closing slot makes that even clearer.
The current SmackDown lineup includes:
- WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Baron Corbin — opening match
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor vs. Gunther — closing match
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Giulia vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Lash Legend
- Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Fatal Influence vs. Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green and Paige
If the rundown holds, WWE is opening SmackDown with steel and closing it with Punk, Gunther and Balor fighting for their Money in the Bank lives. That’s a pretty aggressive way to make sure fans have a reason to be there at 8 PM and stick around until the final bell.
Who do you think walks out of the SmackDown main event with the final Men’s Money in the Bank spot? Let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
