5 WWE stars who should have become Mr. Money in the Bank

Money in the Bank is one of WWE's most ingenious concepts, acting as a legitimate star-builder. Many budding WWE Superstars have reaped the benefits of winning the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and in turn winning a briefcase that would give them a world title shot whenever they wanted.

Multiple-time WWE Champions such as Edge, CM Punk and Seth Rollins rose to stardom by winning this coveted ladder match, but many other names could have done well with this major boost.

Whether they were on the verge of breaking out or simply experts of the ladder match, a number of WWE Superstars would have been great as Mr. Money in the Bank. It would have benefited them as talents, as well as the legacy of this match.

Here are five WWE stars who should have won a Money in the Bank ladder match in the past.

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#5 Chris Jericho

Jericho invented that.

The Money in the Bank Ladder Match was born in 2005, Chris Jericho coming up with the idea for it. He was obviously part of the first iteration, which was exclusive to RAW. Since then, Jericho has taken part in four more editions of the spot-filled spectacle.

Unlike his claim that he "won a Money in the Bank Ladder Match in Appleton", Le Champion has never won the briefcase. His character and level certainly warrant a Money in the Bank victory, aside from the fact that he invented the entire match.

Jericho could have won the ladder match in 2008 instead of 2-time winner CM Punk, especially considering the sneaky and opportune way he won the World Heavyweight Championship later that year.

A star with the talent of Chris Jericho should have held the briefcase at least once, especially considering his history with it.

#4 Bray Wyatt

Imagine him lurking with the contract.

While he hasn't actually been a part of a single Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Bray Wyatt would have made for a fantastic holder of the coveted briefcase. He has been the creepiest member of WWE's full-time roster and the briefcase would have added so much more to his act.

The Fiend is past the Money in the Bank stage now, going after who he wants at will, but a Money in the Bank victory for Bray Wyatt would have been huge in around 2015. He was known for showing up unexpectedly and looming over his targets with sadistic intentions.

Bray Wyatt as Mr. Money in the Bank would have been gold back then, with his creepy promos and menacing 'Family'. You wouldn't know when he would strike, making the Eater of Worlds much more of a threat.

Wyatt was, and still is, the master of mind games. And isn't that the best part about holding the Money in the Bank briefcase? Playing mind games with the WWE Champion, before cashing in and winning the title.

#3 Wade Barrett

He was scheduled to win twice.

Wade Barrett is one of the unluckiest WWE Superstars in recent history. The number of stops and starts he's had during his time with the company is frustrating. Some of those stops and starts involved the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Barrett was seemingly set to win the SmackDown Ladder Match in 2011 before plans changed and Daniel Bryan won it instead; not a bad decision in hindsight. Anyway, the former leader of the Nexus looked to redeem himself grandly in 2012.

WWE was apparently planning a Money in the Bank Ladder Match for WrestleMania 28, with Wade Barrett winning the briefcase. Unfortunately, Barrett got injured and missed the show, scrapping any plans they may have had for the ladder match.

He was always very close to breaking out into the main event scene, but it never materialized. If not for his rotten luck, Barrett may have won Money in the Bank and become a main eventer in WWE. He had all the tools to do so.

#2 Cody Rhodes

He would have been perfect.

Cody Rhodes is currently one of the biggest names in pro wrestling, as an executive and top-tier star in AEW. But before his incredible rise away from WWE, Cody was one of the company's brightest rising stars. He's another one Superstar who, like Wade Barrett, should have crossed over into the main event scene.

The former Intercontinental Champion had the talent to become a world champion in WWE, with the Money in the Bank briefcase a likely gateway towards him getting there. Cody was one of the favorites to win the ladder match in 2012 before Dolph Ziggler did so.

But it was the following year which should have seen him climb up the ranks in WWE. He would have been one hell of a Money in the Bank winner and his performance in the match warranted the victory, but WWE instead booked Damien Sandow to win it.

That would have been the perfect time for WWE to pull the trigger on Cody Rhodes. He was phenomenal as a babyface in 2013, but this missed opportunity may haunt WWE in some ways. Who knows, had he won the World Heavyweight Championship, Cody may still be with the company today.

#1 Christian

This could have happened sooner.

A man synonymous with ladder matches, it is somewhat of a crime that Christian has not won a single Money in the Bank Ladder Match. He has taken part in six of them, making him the joint-most experienced competitor to not win the briefcase, along with Kofi Kingston.

Christian absolutely should have won one of them, possibly in 2010. That would have delivered him his first WWE world title much sooner. He was a consistent figure in every such bout he was a part of, putting the shine on all competitors in the match.

Much like Edge, Christian could have done with a little boost to send him over to the main event scene. The Money in the Bank contract would have been perfect for him.

Christian's time should have come at WrestleMania 26, especially with two of his former tag team partners fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship on the show. Adding Christian to the Chris Jericho vs Edge storyline would have been an excellent touch, but WWE decided to go with Jack Swagger.

And while Christian's eventual world title win in 2011 (in a ladder match, no less) was emotional, WWE missed a huge opportunity a year prior.