The Best of Money in the Bank
The concept is supposed to be fairly straight-forward. Climb the ladder and successfully pull down the briefcase which contains a contact. Instead of just one opponent, you will have a minimum of five and this dramatically decreases your odds of winning. If you happen to capture the briefcase, this earns you a shot against a WWE Champion of your choosing. Anytime. Anywhere.
Money In The Bank Facts
The Money In The Bank Ladder match debuted in 2005 at WrestleMania 21, after being invented by Chris Jericho. When the match debuted, it was a Raw brand exclusive. Edge was the inaugural winner who later went on to successfully cash in on John Cena at New Year’s Revolution 2006.
Mr. Kennedy is the only MITB Match Winner to lose His MITB contract to another superstar
John Cena was the first MITB winner to cash in the contract and lose
Kane was the first MITB Winner to cash in the contract on the same night. This took place against Rey Mysterio.
Best Moments
Shelton Benjamin's hitting the running clothesline off the ladder - WrestleMania 21 (Jericho was his victim)
Jeff Hardy’s leg drop onto Edge through the Ladder – WrestleMania 23
John Morrison’s insane Moonsault with the ladder WrestleMania 24
Carlito and Mr Kennedy tip over the ladder sending Shelton Benjamin through another one - Wrestlemania 24
CM Punk winning the Money In The Bank in back to back years at Wrestlemania 24 and Wrestlemania 25 (Two successful cash in’s)
Daniel Bryan somehow overcoming the odds and winning the Smackdown Money In the Bank contract. MITB 2011
Also noteworthy from that previosu match was Sheamus powerbombing Sin Cara through the ladder MITB 2011
In my humble opinion, the greatest MITB moment in history was the 5-star match between John Cena and CM Punk in the Straight Edge Superstar’s hometown of Chicago. The atmosphere was simply electric at the Allstate Arena and no one knew what was going to happen since it was announced Punk did not re-sign his contract, so Vince didn’t want him leaving with the title. As we know, CM Punk won, exited through the crowd and disappeared for several weeks prior to returning. This was the beginning of the Summer of Punk - MITB 2011
Paul Heyman turning on CM Punk and costing him his third MITB briefcase. - MITB 2013
From the same match, RVD landing a Five Star Frog Splash off Ladder onto Christian – Raw MITB Ladder Match 2013
With a little assistance from Kane, Seth Rollins winning Money In The Bank over his former Shield brother Dean Ambrose - MITB 2014
Randy Orton hitting the RKO to Neville off the Ladder – MITB 2015
Dean Ambrose wins and later on in the evening, cashes in on Seth Rollins to become the new WWE World Champion. - MITB 2016
Best MITB Ladder Match
Top choice: Edge vs Chris Benoit vs Chris Jericho vs Shelton Benjamin vs Kane vs Christian (WrestleMania 21)
Runner up: CM Punk vs Mr Kennedy vs Chris Jericho vs Shelton Benjamin vs Carlito vs John Morrison vs Montel Vontavious Porter - WrestleMania 24
Let’s also admit, six is the magic number in terms of participants.
Worst MITB Ladder Match
Top choice: Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Charlotte Flair vs Natalya vs Tamina - MITB 2017
The clunky conclusion featuring James Ellsworth really hurt the outcome.
Runner up: Kane vs Christian vs Matt Hardy vs Cody Rhodes vs Kofi Kingston vs Drew McIntyre vs Big Show - Smackdown MITB Ladder Match 2010
Best Cash In
Top Choice: Seth Rollins makes it a triple-threat match and later pins Roman Reigns to become the new WWE Champion. (Wrestlemania 31)
Runner Up: Dolph Ziggler the night after Wrestlemania 28 on Alberto Del Rio. When Dolph’s entrance music hit, it was one of the loudest ovations I’ve heard since the Attitude Era.
Worst Cash In
Top choice: Baron Corbin from the the August 15, 2017 edition of Smackdown Live. He unsuccessfully cashed-in after interrupting a match between John Cena and then WWE Champion Jinder Mahal.
Runner up: Damien Sandow during the October 28, 2013 edition MONDAY NIGHT RAW. Sir Money In The Bank attempted to take advantage of John Cena’s injured arm, but ended up getting pinned and failed to capture the World Heavyweight Championship
If we’re including successful cash in’s, Jack Swagger’s on Chris Jericho was highly underwhelming which lead to one of the most forgettable reigns in recent memory.
Best One-on-One MITB PPV Match
CM Punk vs John Cena - MITB 2011