Since its inception at Wrestlemania 21, the Money in the Bank ladder match has become an annual tradition in WWE. Anywhere from five to eight wrestlers putting their bodies on the line for a title shot, anywhere, anytime. There have been some absolute classics put on by the competitors. To get you excited for Money in the Bank on May 19th, here are the five best Money in the Bank matches of all time. Check them out and get excited.
Honorable Mentions:
- Women’s Money in the Bank Match, 2018. Winner: Alexa Bliss
- Men’s Money in the Bank Match, 2017. Winner: Baron Corbin
- Money in the Bank Match, 2014. Winner: Seth Rollins
- World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Match, 2012. Winner: Dolph Ziggler
- Wrestlemania 25 Money in the Bank Match, 2009. Winner: CM Punk
5: Wrestlemania 23
Mr. Kennedy def. CM Punk, King Booker, Edge, Finlay, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, and Randy Orton
The opener to Wrestlemania 23 was a crowded and chaotic Money in the Bank ladder match. Every superstar in this match had a chance to shine, with Jeff Hardy and Mr. Kennedy getting two of the biggest spots. Jeff dropped a leg drop onto Edge laying on a ladder on the outside, taking both men out of the matchup. Hardy probably could have grabbed the briefcase instead of jumping, but Jeff is Jeff, so he jumped. Mr. Kennedy hit a Green Bay Plunge off of a ladder to an interfering Hornswoggle in a dangerous spot. This was also when Hornswoggle was fresh, and before he was the sign of the end of terrible storylines.
While Mr. Kennedy’s time with the briefcase wasn’t great, the way he earned it was top notch. Check out the WWE Network link here.
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4: Money in the Bank 2016
Dean Ambrose def. Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and Kevin Owens.
The 2016 Money in the Bank show was the crowning of Dean Ambrose. From starring in the match to cashing in on former Shield brother Seth Rollins at the end of the night, Ambrose was the biggest star of the evening. He was also part of an excellent Money in the Bank battle.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s constant rivalry was a theme throughout the match. Owens even took a nasty bump on a Michinoku Driver onto a ladder from Zayn. Each man had a chance to shine in the match, especially Cesaro. Constant uppercuts, plus swinging Jericho into a ladder, made Cesaro look like an absolute beast. Ambrose would still end up victorious. If you want to check it out, the WWE Network link is here.
3: Money in the Bank 2011, World Heavyweight Championship Briefcase
Daniel Bryan def. Justin Gabriel, Cody Rhodes, Heath Slater, Kane, Sheamus, Sin Cara, and Wade Barrett
The 2011 Money in the Bank is home to one of the best WWE Championship matches of the modern era: CM Punk versus John Cena. In the Money in the Bank match, it was about new blood. Six of the eight men in the match had never been in a Money in the Bank match before. Newcomer Sin Cara lit the match up early, before Sheamus took him out with a powerbomb through a ladder on the outside.
Former Nexus members Barrett, Slater, and Gabriel had moments to fight it out amongst themselves. All of the fresh blood made the match more exciting, as someone would likely be vaulted into the main event picture. In the end, it was a pre-“Yes Movement” Bryan that grabbed the briefcase. To check out the match on WWE Network, click here.
2: Money in the Bank 2013, World Heavyweight Championship Briefcase
Damien Sandow def. Cody Rhodes, Antonio Cesaro, Jack Swagger, Dean Ambrose, Wade Barrett, and Fandango
This match could be subtitled “battle of the baddies”. This match was full of (at the time) non-heavyweight championship winning heels, while the WWE Championship briefcase match had all former world champions. The field was full of promising midcard talent, and they did not disappoint.
Someone had to get the fans behind them in this match, and it ended up being Cody Rhodes. The younger Rhodes sibling had lots of fan support as he had the briefcase within his grasp. His Rhodes Scholars teammate Sandow would push him aside and get the win for himself instead. While Sandow ended up not winning the world title, his feud with Rhodes coming out of this match was excellent. This match had talent, bumps, and even a sneaky heel Shield trying to help out Ambrose. The WWE Network link to the match is here.
1: Wrestlemania 21
Edge def. Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Kane, Christian, and Chris Benoit
Sometimes, the original is so good that it can’t really be topped. The action in the first-ever Money in the Bank match was intense, even before the bell. All the competitors tried to attack Kane before the match even started, trying to take out the biggest threat in the match. Each man had a chance to shine: Benjamin used his athleticism, Benoit his tenacity, Jericho his cunning, and all men hit big spots.
Benjamin was the star of the match. His running up a propped ladder to knock Jericho away from the briefcase was an enduring image from the match. In the end, Edge would win and begin his rise as the “Ultimate Opportunist”. The WWE Network link to watch it is here.
– Evan Gomes is the Managing Editor of Pro Wrestling for Full Press Coverage. Like and follow on Follow @EvanGomes_ Follow @FPC_Wrestling and Facebook.
