Who is most likely to be Mr. Money in the Bank?
Every year, Money in the Bank provides WWE with a way to hot-shot someone to the WWE Championship picture. Money in the Bank will be the first non-Wrestlemania pay-per-view with fans in attendance. The Men’s field is set with eight competitors, but their likelihood to be the briefcase holder is not all equal. Here are the competitors in the Men’s ladder match, ranked from least likely to most likely to win the briefcase.
8. Ricochet
Oh, Ricochet. WWE has done you dirty. One of the most talented in-ring workers WWE has, and yet he can’t find solid footing or storylines. What’s the last showcase he’s had? It’s been a long, long time. Ricochet is in the Shelton Benjamin high-flyer role. He’ll get some shine, but there’s no way he is walking out with the win.
7. John Morrison
Another wrestler who fills the high spot role, Morrison is no stranger to this assignment. He’s been in Money in the Bank matches before and has always provided some big moments. With Miz injured, Morrison is more of a singles wrestler now but he’s still tethered to his partner. They won’t be giving the briefcase to the same team two years in a row, so there’s no way Morrison wins the match.
6. Riddle
I will admit that I still am not fully on board with Riddle’s shtick. Having Randy Orton as his straight man has offered him some funny moments. While he’s entertaining, does WWE see him as world champion material right now? He’s doing well with RK-Bro, and they should be tag champs sooner rather than later. With that on his horizon, Riddle won’t be the briefcase winner.
5. King Nakamura
This is an aside, but I love that Nakamura has taken the “king” nickname. He is the King of Strong Style, and Baron Corbin had run that gimmick into the ground. I do wish they’d do a new King of the Ring tournament, but that’s a conversation for a different gimmick match pay-per-view. Nakamura has some new life and would be an interesting choice for Money in the Bank. There are more likely candidates, but consider him a dark horse.
4. Drew McIntyre
McIntyre and the world title scene need to break up. He was a terrific champion for the ThunderDome era, but he’s had constant rematches for the title. I know he can’t challenge Bobby Lashley anymore and that the briefcase could be his way back into the main event. He’ll be back in the picture sooner rather than later. McIntyre could use a solid story-fueled feud before coming back to challenge for a title. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised to see WWE give the briefcase to McIntyre.
3. Kevin Owens
Owens needs the Money in the Bank briefcase at some point during his career. His promos with it would be incredible. Owens could realistically cash in on a face or a heel – having him use the briefcase to get another shot at Roman Reigns would be great. Remember their excellent match at the Royal Rumble this year? Give us more content like that.
2. Big E
Speaking of the 2021 Royal Rumble, it was rumored that Big E was in line for a big push at that time. He cooled off and instead entered the Intercontinental Championship scene. The Money in the Bank contract could be a great fit for Big E. He’s a babyface that could be very entertaining with the briefcase, and he could cash in on either Reigns or Lashley. Big E could even be one of those (stupid) babyfaces who announces his cash-in ahead of time.
1. Seth Rollins
The Money in the Bank gimmick works best with a heel. It works even better with a charismatic heel who is a mix of arrogant and cowardly. One of the best Money in the Bank runs was… Seth Rollins in 2015. Of the field this year, Rollins is the best option. He’s a proven main eventer and could cash in on whoever eventually dethrones Reigns or Lashley. Rollins would be a menace holding onto the case, and could even lord it over people that he is two for two in Money in the Bank matches.
Those are my rankings for the Men’s ladder match at Money in the Bank. Agree? Disagree? Let us know on Twitter at @FPC_Wrestling.
