WNS Column: Who Should Win the WWE Championship at MITB?

With a little over one week left until the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, and the entrants set to compete for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, I weigh the pros and cons of each man climbing the steel ladder and grabbing the titles. The order is based on who I personally think is the best decision to take home the titles right now. Anti-Cenation, I apologize in advance.

John Cena

Pros-

John Cena is the undeniable face of the WWE. He's is without a doubt the most well-known wrestler in the world today. Adored by little children, hated by the Internet Wrestling Community, Cena is guaranteed to evoke a reaction by anyone who watches the WWE. He's certainly great on the mic. Intensity or comedy, Cena does it well. He's also a good performer. Despite catching a great deal of flack for his “Five Moves of Doom” and repetitiveness in match overview, nine times out of 10 Super-Cena puts on a good bout. He rarely misses spots or botches moves, and he also has the ability to draw the viewer into his matches. Personally, I see no issue putting the belts on Cena...for short term purposes. Going forward, I'd welcome Cena versus Daniel Bryan part two at Battleground. Also, if the plan is to give the title back to Bryan when he's healthy, Cena wouldn't lose an credibility by quickly turning it back over. If Bryan is not ready by then, maybe this could be Bray Wyatt's ultimate revenge, to win the coveted title from Cena.

Cons-

The downfall with Cena winning the title is the obvious. This scenario has happened far to often. Fans have grown tired of seeing him with the title on his waist. This would be Cena's 15^th world title reign. He's an easy candidate to place the belt on, because he is safe, but the safe route is not always the best route though. Personally, and I'm definitely in the majority here, I'd like to see WWE take a chance here.

Sheamus

Pros-

Sheamus as the second best candidate, are you kidding me? Well hear me out, fella. This could elicit a heel turn from the Irish Brawler, which most of us have been asking for. Possessing the WWE World Heavyweight Champions and United States Champion, a deserving reason for the irishman to gloat around the locker room and in the ring. The guy would have three championship titles to carry. Also, this is could set up a revenge match for Daniel Bryan. We all remember the opener of Wrestlemania 28. 

Cons-

As for right now though, Sheamus is bland. I like to watch his brawler-style in the ring, but I hit the mute button if there is a mic in his hand. The happy-go-lucky character gimmick has to go. Also, Sheamus has not really been primed to be the number one guy in the company. The U.S. Title, though, is perfect for him right now. But when he is constantly taking on Bad News Barrett and Cesaro every week, and not winning those matches consistently, is he really top champion material?

Bray Wyatt

Pros-

I'm thinking Bray Wyatt is the overall fan favorite. Every viewer knows how incredible he is on the mic. He's the best talker to be introduced to the WWE in quite sometime. His promos are unique, bonechilling and enthralling, and he's a great in ring performer. The Eater of Worlds has been apart of arguable three of the best matches in 2014 (Wyatt vs. Bryan Royal Rumble; Wyatt Family vs. Shield Elimination Chamber; Wyatt vs. Cena Payback). Wyatt would also be a new face in the title scene. He's being primed to be the number one heel going forward, despite the babyface reaction he gets from live crowds. Also no one is going to complain about the potential Daniel Bryan rivalry Wyatt would embark on by winning the titles; the program the two had in early-2014 produced some of the most memorable moments of the year. I questioned if Bray winning the title is what his character about, if he cares about winning gold, but after seeing his promo on Raw about power, my view was changed. Lastly, having the entire Wyatt family walk away from Money in the Bank with a title would be a permanently establish Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan as stars.

Cons-

The more I think about it, the less wrong I see with Bray winning. The one slight is that Wyatt has been booked rather weakly. Losing to Cena at WrestleMania, winning at Extreme Rules due to interference from multiple sources, and being on the losing end of the Last Man Standing match at Payback, Bray has not looked like a dominate heel lately. He, just like everyone else in the match, have not been prepared at all for a title run. Having him win the match though could erase fan's memories of the loses though.

Roman Reigns

Pros-

He's young. He's a good performer. He's handsome. He's got nice hair. Roman Reigns is a future face of the WWE. And what better way to establish that feeling than giving him the ultimate prize? After seeing Raw live on Monday, I finally was able to see how much the crowd absolutely adores the guy. Reigns as champion is going to happen...eventually. He's been booked so strongly these last six months, it's obvious he a huge part of the future with company. But the future is not the present, and right now Reigns is not the guy quite yet. I think the best way to book the match is similar to the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank match from last year. Have Reigns grasping the belts only to be taken out by the eventual winner at the end of the match. A nice tease for the fans.

Cons-

The biggest gripe, some may say, against Roman is his lack of mic talent. He's not great, but so be it, it's certainly not the main downfall I'd have with him winning the title. I think putting the title on the former powerhouse of The Shield would be forced. He's currently somewhat involved with Seth Rollins, Triple H and Randy Orton. I don't really know what is going on there, but it needs to be sorted out. With SummerSlam right around the corner, I can't picture Reigns headlining the second biggest pay-per-view of the year in a singles bout as champ, considering he's been on his own for about two weeks now. Give him sometime to compete alone, get him out of the ugly SWAT gear and allow him to grow out of being a member of The Shield and into his own character.

Cesaro

Pros-

If the King of Swing wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Money in the Bank it would be the one last bump he needs to stardom. 2014 has been a good year for Cesaro. He had his WrestleMania moment by winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, and he received a great manager in Paul Heyman. If he was to win the title, it would show how much the WWE is willing to invest in him. Internet rumblings mention how the company is not very inclined to push new talent. Well, if Cesaro ascends to the top of the ladder,literally and figuritively, then WWE would certainly be generating a new face. Another advantage of Cesaro winning would be on the business side of things. Cesaro is a Swiss guy, with an Italian name, who can speak Swiss, German, Italian, French and English. This would just entice foreign fans not only to watch more, but also to invest in more merchandise.

Cons-

Cesaro is hurt most by the Daniel Bryan injury and changing of the match stipulation. The new Paul Heyman guy was primed to win the Money in the Bank Briefcase for a future cash in. I had the perfect situation for Cesaro stardom envision. Daniel Bryan against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. After a brutal beat down from the Beast Incarnate, Bryan retains. But wait. That awful siren sounds, and Cesaro hits the ring. By winning the title he could then break away from Paul Heyman, proving that he didn't need him for the title. Plus, Cesaro would show Heyman he is the guy he should have invested in, not BRAWWWWK LEZZZNAR. 

I don't think putting the strap on Cesaro right away is the best call though. First off, I am a firm believer that this is going to culminate into a short title run for the winner. Daniel Bryan has a lot of well deserved time with the title left. Secondly, since becoming Paul Heyman's new client, Cesaro has stagnated a bit. He's been given an awful theme song, he now does a ridiculous gait to the ring, and has continually wrestled Sheamus and Rob Van Dam. I think the briefcase was going to be a the violent shove (not push) we've been waiting for with the Andre the Giant Battle Royal winner, which he could hold on whilst gaining momentum. But now, I fear the Swiss Superman may continue to float into mid card action.

Randy Orton

Pros-

I don't particularly want to watch Randy Orton as WWE World Heavyweight Champ, but just like Cena, he is a safe route to go. This would probably continue the Authority versus Daniel Bryan storyline, which after a year is quite trite. A dream booking situation would eventually lead to a Seth Rollins versus Randy Orton rivalry. The two would consistently clash and would not be able to coexist. Rollins versus Orton, at say Hell in a Cell, in which Rollins takes the title. I like that. And since I've displayed the approval on the internet for millions and millions to read, that is the official kiss of death.

Cons-

That last title run was abysmal. Variety is in need for the sake of viewership. I think Orton is a good performer, but he is not able to carry a match (see 2013 Survivor Series versus Big Show for example). I just don't get excited to see The Viper in action anymore. He's a big name, but the WWE's creative team is going for a big name impact, John Cena is the better candidate.

Alberto Del Rio

Pros-

It is really hard for me to give reasons why Alberto Del Rio should win the title. It could potential give ADR new life in his career. Del Rio was shown backstage talking to Stephanie McMahon a few weeks ago on Raw. It was random, and I don't think there was any follow up to it on the show. Maybe he will become the Mexican aristocratic corportate champ. It'd be something different, that's for sure. But I've had enough of the corporate champ shtick. One last positive is ADR is a reliable performer. He can give you a good, not great, match every night.

Cons-

What is the point? Alberto Del Rio has not been appearing regularly since his short-lived rivalry with Batista. I don't see a reason to give him titles. Fans haven't supported him since his rivalry with Big Show two Decembers ago. And also, Del Rio is on my hate list for being the man to dethrone Dolph Ziggler of the World Heavyweight Championship last year. Irrelevant tidbit for this story, but it still cuts me deep.

Who do you think should win the titles? Also, who do you think should win the Money in the Bank briefcase? Give your reasons in the comments below. Don't forget tonfollow me on the Twittersphere (@ttrill_).