WWE Money in the Bank 2018 results: Ronda Rousey comes close to title, Braun Strowman is Monster in the Bank

Brian Fritz

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WWE Money in the Bank 2018 results: Ronda Rousey comes close to title, Braun Strowman is Monster in the Bank image

Ronda Rousey learned the hard way that anything can happen in the WWE.

The former UFC champion got her first crack at WWE gold, facing Nia Jax for the "RAW" Women's Championship. And just when it looked like she was about to secure an armbar and win the title, Alexa Bliss attacked using Money in the Bank briefcase that she had won earlier in the night. Once Rousey was taken out, Bliss cashed in her case and quickly defeated Nia Jax to become the "RAW" Women's Champion.

MORE: Money in the Bank contracts were wasted on these wrestlers

The night ended in a physical men's Money in the Bank ladder match with the "Monster Among Men" Braun Strowman climbing the ladder and pulling down the case and with it earning a championship match any time he wants over the next 365 days. While many believe it will be Roman Reigns once again challenging Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship at the August SummerSlam event, it could be Strowman using his case to get the match or possibly cashing it in then.

After a mostly sluggish first half to the show, the action picked up the rest of the way including a fantastic Last Man Standing match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura. It was a dramatic treat and the best match in their series to this point with Styles retaining the WWE Championship.

Sporting News had all the WWE Money in the Bank 2018 coverage you needed with a live blog, which you can review below

WWE Money in the Bank 2018 live updates

Braun Strowman defeats Finn Bálor, The Miz, Rusev, Bobby Roode, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, and Kofi Kingston in the Money in the Bank Ladder match for a world championship match contract

11:15 p.m. FINISH: Strowman is on the attack and now he's climbing up the ladder and Balor is climbing up the other side. Kingston just jumped on Strowman's back and is riding him to the top of the ladder. Balor gets knocked off and same with Kingston and it's Braun Strowman alone and he gets the case for the win. Another really good match and the show ends on a strong note.

11:11 p.m.: Why simply go for a Coup de Grace off the top rope when you can do it off the top of a ladder?

11:08 p.m.: Run. Don't walk. Run.

11:05 p.m.: Strowman is alive but multiple guys are teaming up against him again. He's being held down on a table and Owens is climbing THE BIGGEST LADDER EVER and about to go for a splash. Strowman fights his way off and goes after Owens who is still on the ladder. He climbs up the ladder and grabs Owens followed by a chokeslam!

11:02 p.m.: Owens gets Balor on an announcers' table and then climbs a huge ladder in hopes of landing a big splash. However, he notices that Rusev is climbing a ladder to get the case and goes to stop him. He does but then gets slammed hard onto a ladder.

10:56 p.m.: Kevin Owens had nothing to worries about as everyone is ganging up on Braun Strowman including burying him with ladders at the top of the ramp. Everyone except The Miz who is in the ring trying to get a sneaky win but Samoa Joe runs back and stops him.

10:52 p.m.: And we have our answer as it will be Kofi Kingston in the match for The New Day.

10:46 p.m.: Legen-dary.

10:43 p.m.: The last two matches have been better and now it's time for the final match. We'll see if it ends on a good note.

Alexa Bliss defeats Nia Jax for the "RAW" Women's Championship

10:37 p.m. FINISH: Bliss with a DDT, hits the Twisted Bliss, and just like that she's a five-time "RAW" Women's Champion. Exciting cash in and WWE found a way to do it and protect Rousey. 

Ronda Rousey defeats Nia Jax by disqualification for the "RAW" Women's Championship

10:36 p.m. FINISH: Rousey has Jax down on the mat and is trying to get the armbar but the champ is holding on. And there's Alexa Bliss! She hits Rousey from behind with the case and the referee calls for the DQ. Then she hits Jax with the case. Bliss attacks Rousey on the floor then goes back in the ring and hits Jax again with the case and she's cashing in her Money in the Bank contract.

10:34 p.m.: Rousey moves out of the way as Jax goes into the corner and then she goes to high-risk territory.

10:32 p.m.: More power moves by the champ.

10:30 p.m.: Jax whips Rousey outside the ring into the barricade. Then she throws her back in the ring and press slams her before tossing her face-first to the mat. All champion so far.

10:25 p.m.: Nia comes out fast using her power. She gets Rousey on her shoulders but Ronda counters and goes for an armbar. Jax gets out of its and a huge sit-down powerbomb. 

10:22 p.m.: Big test for both women here with Rousey having her first singles match and Jax having to hold down her part of the match. And could we see a surprise cash-in by Alexa Bliss? We'll see.

AJ Styles beats Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing match to retain the WWE Championship

10:13 p.m. FINISH: AJ hits a Phenomenal Forearm but he wants to make sure and connects with a Styles Clash off the steel steps. The crowd is going crazy but Namamura somehow gets up. He tells Styles to bring it and he does - with a kick to the nether region. Then he goes to the ring and connects with a Phenomenal Forearm sending Nakamura through the announcers' table. Both are down but Styles gets up at the count of seven and Nakamura cannot get up. Fantastic match with lots of drama and a great story, especially down the stretch. The best of the night so far and much better than anything else on the show to this point.

10:09 p.m.: Styles has a chair and Nakamura is begging for mercy but is getting none as Styles cracks him a couple times. Nakamura back to his knees and connects with a low blow. It looks like Styles is done for but barely gets to his feet. Then a Kinshasa and Styles is down for. No he's not! He jumps up right before ten. High drama.

10:06 p.m.: Nakamura goes for a knee in the corner and misses, hitting the exposed turnbuckle and now Styles is on the offensive. He hooks on the Calf Crusher and Nakamura is tapping out but it doesn't matter in a Last man Standing match. Still, he somehow gets to his feet before the count of ten.

10:03 p.m.: We've got a table in the ring and Styles just rammed through it in the corner but he somehow gets to his feet just before the ten count.

9:58 p.m.: Nakamura hits a suplex onto the announcer's table and follows it up with a Kinshasa but Styles gets to his feet at the count of nine.

9:55 p.m.: Nakamura misses the low blow and has quite the reaction.

9:52 p.m.: This did not go well for AJ.

9:50 p.m.: Nakamura is pummeling Styles and they're taking the fight into the crowd!

9:44 p.m.: Styles is on the attack outside the ring pummeling Nakamura with the referee starting the count twice but never coming close to ten. Nakamura follows up with a Northern Lights Suplex on a metal plate. Ouch. 

9:36 p.m.: Outside of two matches, this has been a lackluster show. Hopefully, this match can get them back on track. And it's really feeling like Ronda Rousey versus Nia Jax is going to end the show.

Carmella defeats Asuka to retain the "SmackDown" Women's Championship

9:29 p.m. FINISH: This just got weird as someone dressed as Asuka in full costume and mask climbed up on the apron. The big reveal - it's James Ellsworth! Carmella takes advantage of a stunned Asuka with a big kick and gets the win. That was ... something.

9:26 p.m.: Asuka back on the offensive as she slaps on a kneelock before Carmella gets the the ropes followed by a hip attack by the champ. But Carmella side steps her and Asuka falls to the floor and then takes a kick and falls off the apron with a sickening thud.

9:20 p.m.: Only a couple of minutes into the match and Carmella is threatening to walk out with her championship before Asuka stops her in her tracks with a kick to the face.

9:12 p.m.: Carmella got the surprise clean win over Charlotte last month at Backlash. Can she do the same versus Asuka tonight?

Roman Reigns defeats Jinder Mahal

9:07 p.m. FINISH: Reigns with a Superman punch and spear outside the ring on Sunil Singh to dispatch of him and then he slides back in the ring and almost gets pinned off a small package but then hits a big spear and gets the win. It was a match but the crowd spoke volumes.

9:02 p.m.: Reigns connects with a Superman punch and can't get the three count but does open a cut across Mahal's cheek. And the crowd is chanting "Y2J". Don't think they care too much about this match.

8:57 p.m.: Mahal is in control with a rear chin lock as the crowd keeps itself entertained with a beach ball and chanting "CM Punk" and "this is awful". 

8:52 p.m.: What fortitude!

8:48 p.m.: CHICAGO HATES ROMAN REIGNS!

8:43 p.m.: The crowd is going to have a field day with this one. I guess this is one way to describe the match:

Alexa Bliss beats Ember Moon, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Lana, Naomi and Sasha Banks in the Money in the Bank Ladder match to get a women's championship match contract

8:39 p.m. FINISH: Some more awkwardness as Becky was alone on top of the ladder and was pulling the case off but then just stopped so Lana could knock her off. But it's Alexa Bliss that takes advantage as she climbs up the ladder and gets the case and the contract. Good match overall as the women kept up a great pace.

8:35 p.m.: Lana looked to have a clear path up the ladder before Noami springboards off the ropes onto the ladder. Then a bit of an awkward moment as Noami was all alone at the top of the ladder but couldn't pull the case off as she was stalling to get knocked off. Then Becky and Charlotte on each on a side of the ladder but get pushed off. A lot going on now.

8:30 p.m.: Double ladders with six of the women tbattling on them and trying to get to the case. Natalya ends that by powerbombing Banks into one of the ladders and knocking it down. Then another powerbowb and Ember is in a world of hurt.

8:28 p.m.: Frenetic pace by the ladies including Sasha doing a double knee drop onto Ember Moon and Lana as they were laying across a ladder. No one is holding back in this one.

8:25 p.m.: Charlotte and Becky are fighting over a ladder in the middle of the ring. Best of friends turned bitter enemies. And Naomi breaks it up with a big dive before Natalya did this to her.

8:20 p.m.: No wasted time as the action is fast and furious from the opening bell. 

8:15 p.m.: First of two Money in the Bank matches coming up next. 

Seth Rollins beats Elias to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship

8:07 p.m. FINISH: Rollins rolls up Elias but can't get the three count. Elias reverses into a rollup but he can't win and then Rollins with a reversal of his own and holds the title to get the victory. The second half of the match was especially good but considering the controversial finish, you can bet that Elias will get a rematch.

8:05 p.m.: Great near fall as Rollins goes for a dive outside the ring but Elias moves aside and throws the champ into the barricade. He throws Rollins back in the ring and hits a huge elbow off the rope and Rollins barely survives. This is getting really good.

8:02 p.m.: Action is really picking up as Rollins hits a superkick to Elias who is on his knees. Then, Rollins goes to the top rope and tries to connect with a frog splash but Elias gets his knees up and immediately cradles him for the pin but Rollins kicks out. Then Rollins with a superplex and then a Falcon Arrow and he nearly gets the win. 

7:57 p.m.: Rollins with a big dive connects on the flooir and now they're back in the ring. Rollins is selling a bum left knee and Elias hits a high knee and almost wins the title. So close.

7:54 p.m.: Rollins and Elias are trading shots when Elias hits a big clothesline knocking Rollins off the apron to the floor. Elias is going to focusing in on Rollins' neck after "hurting" it several weeks ago when he smashed Rollins with a guitar shot from behind that sent him flying off the announcer's table.

7:44 p.m.: Time for a championship match and Elias is putting on a musical performance before the match. He even called the Chicago crowd a bunch of scumbags and, of course, they chanted "scuumbags". After a few bars, Elias says the crowd isn't worth it and stops playing. And here comes the champion!

Bobby Lashley defeats Sami Zayn

7:38 p.m. FINISH: That didn't take long. After the first few minutes, Lashley took control and finished off Zayn with a couple of big standing suplexes. Not much to this just like their storyline which is hopefully over now.

7:34 p.m.: Zayn is outsmarting Lashley early on by stalling and then attacking the big guy a couple of times keeping him outside the ring but he can't get the count-out win.

7:28 p.m.: Kevin Owens met up with The New Day in the locker room bearing gifts of pancakes and syrup in hopes of getting them to help him vanquish Braun Strowman later in the ladder match. It didn't go well for him. He probably shouldn't have admitted that he didn't like pancakes or The New Day's cereal. 

Daniel Bryan beats Big Cass

7:22 p.m. FINISH: Bryan connects with the Yes! kicks and looks to put Cass away but gets hit with a big boot to the face. Cass goes for the pin but Bryan kicks out at the last second. He connects with the big knee to the face but doesn't want the pin. Instead, he drags Cass to the middle of the ring and makes the big man tap out with a heel hook. And you can't teach that!

7:16 p.m.: Bryan locks on the Yes! Lock but Cass uses his big frame to get to the ropes. But Bryan isn't done with the attack including a huge cross body off the top rope onto Cass on the floor.

7:13 p.m.: Bryan is focusing in on Cass' left knee with kicks, punches and this:

7:10 p.m.: Bryan went full Nature Boy going up and over the turnbuckle before Cass smashed him off the apron to the floor. Wooo!

7:04 p.m.: Here we go with the main card for Money in the Bank and we'll start it off with Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass. The Chicago crowd is already going nuts for Bryan.

6:58 p.m.: Booker T getting in a shot at the hometown guy before the kickoff show ends! Ouch.

6:54 p.m.: Make sure to check out my predictions for the show below (I'm 1-for-1 so far) and follow us on Twitter @SN_Wrestling to keep up with everything here in the wrestling section on Sporting News.

The Bludgeon Brother defeats Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to retain the "SmackDown" Tag Team Titles

6:50 p.m. FINISH: Anderson and Gallows were about to hit the Magic Killers on Harper but Rowan makes the save and then Harper hits a huge powerbowm to score the win. Decent match but just like anything you'd see any given week on TV.

6:45 p.m.: A couple of agile big dudes.

6:41 p.m.: Time for the first match of the night. This should be fairly short and hard-hitting between these big dudes. Well, Anderson isn't a big dude but he's really good.

6:38 p.m.: Look who are together at the panel desk? Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe. Owens wants Joe to work with him against Braun Strowman and Joe wants nothing to do with him. Now Joe leaves fires up. 

DO. NOT. MESS. WITH. SAMOA. JOE.

6:28 p.m.: Daniel Bryan is answering fan questions and says he has three things that he does better than Big Cass: legs, lungs, and heart. 

6:22 p.m.: Renee just asked the rest of the panel if she was crazy for thinking that Carmella would walk away tonight still as the "SmackDown" Women's Champion. Unfortunately, I don't think she's is but it is crazy if Carmella beats Asuka clean after getting a clean win against Charlotte at Backlash last month.

6:12 p.m.: We still don't know which member of The New Day will be in the men's Money in the Bank ladder match. You can make an argument for all three of them but it feels like it should be either Big E or Kofi Kingston. A lot of people — including myself — would like to see Big E get a singles run while remaining in the group but Kingston can add another high-flyer to the match. Plus, Woods and Big E have said in interviews for a few years that their big goal is to have Kingston win the WWE Championship.

6:00 p.m.: Here we go with the Money in the Bank kickoff show. Renee Young, Booker T, Peter Rosenberg, David Otunga are on the table to discuss what Young is calling a "career-altering" night. We shall see.

5:45 p.m.: Welcome to SN's live coverage of WWE Money in the Bank. We still have a few minutes before the kickoff show so before then, check out Kevin Eck's latest post and my weekly news update including a preview for tonight's show.

WWE Money in the Bank 2018 lineup

— Braun Strowman vs. Finn Bálor vs. The Miz vs. Rusev vs. Bobby Roode vs. Kevin Owens vs. Samoa Joe vs. TBA (Big E, Kofi Kingston or Xavier Woods); Money in the Bank Ladder match for a world championship match contract

— Ember Moon vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Lana vs. Naomi vs. Sasha Banks; Money in the Bank Ladder match for a women's championship match contract

— AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship

— Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey for the WWE "RAW" Women's Championship

— Carmella vs. Asuka for the WWE "SmackDown" Women's Championship

— Seth Rollins vs. Elias for the Intercontinental Championship

— Roman Reigns vs. Jinder Mahal

— Bobby Lashley vs. Sami Zayn

— Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

— The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson for the WWE "SmackDown" Tag Team Championship

WWE Money in the Bank 2018 predictions

— Kevin Owens finds a way to get the briefcase and the contract.

— Natalya gets the win and an even bigger win later in the show.

— AJ Styles outlasts Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the WWE Championship.

— Ronda Rousey takes the "RAW" Women's Championship but immediately loses the title when Natalya cashes in her case.

— Carmella gets some help to remain "SmackDown" Women's Champion

— Seth Rollins makes Elias sing the blues with a victory

— Roman Reigns wins again

— Bobby Lashley demolishes Sami Zayn

— Daniel Bryan gets yet another victory over Big Cass

— The Bludgeon Brothers score the win and keep their titles

Brian Fritz can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrianFritz and listen to his Between The Ropes podcast on iTunes.

Brian Fritz

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Brian Fritz is a contributor with The Sporting News covering the NBA and NFL who previously worked at BasketballNews. He is a 20-year veteran of sports talk radio in Orlando, Florida, after graduating from the University of Central Florida. He now resides in Durham, North Carolina.