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Money in the Bank has been an annual affair ever since Edge first lifted that briefcase back at WrestleMania 21. The Rated R Superstar set the tone for the Money in the Bank contract when he cashed in on John Cena at New Year's Revolution the following year.
It proved that the Money in the Bank contract worked well for heels when looking for an advantage or a sneaky way to become Champion. Carmella proved this when she became the first female victor back in 2017 and then cashed in on Charlotte Flair the night after WrestleMania to become Champion against all odds.
Despite Money in the Bank giving the winner an advantage, the odds aren't always in the challengers favor since there have been a few failed cash-ins over the years. Here are the four failed Money in the Bank cash-ins from the past few years.
#4. John Cena
John Cena is a former 16-time World Champion which means at some point he was always going to pick up that Money in the Bank contract because he was one of the company's biggest stars. After years of superstars cashing in on Cena, the shoe was on the other foot when The Leader of the Cenation picked up the contract back in 2012 in one of the best-botched finishes of the annual match.
Cena announced ahead of time that he would be cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on CM Punk as part of Raw's 1000th episode. It appears that this was his downfall since this was the first failed Money in the Bank cash-in in history as CM Punk was able to overcome the odds after The Big Show interfered in the match and punched Cena in the face.
The referee was down at the time and missed the interference so Punk was able to get him back in the ring and get the pin, but Cena kicked out and Big Show returned to beat down Cena and cause the disqualification. Punk retained the title but Cena later went on to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania the following year.
#3. Braun Strowman
Last year's Money in the Bank pay-per-view was dominated by Team Little Big as Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman won their respective matches and became Mr and Miss Money in the Bank. Bliss decided to cash in her contract on the same night as she interfered in Ronda Rousey's match with Nia Jax and was able to lift the Raw Women's Championship.
Strowman didn't fare as well as his longtime friend. The Monster Among Men was a face at the time so he had to also cash in his contract in advance and decided that Hell in a Cell was the perfect place.
Braun looked as though he could pick up the victory over Roman Reigns before Brock Lesnar interfered in the match to set up his rematch for the Universal Championship. This match was officially made for Crown Jewel but Reigns' personal issues meant that he was unable to take part.
#2. Baron Corbin
Baron Corbin shocked the world back in 2017 when he won the Money in the Bank contract. The former NXT star was seen as a hot commodity in WWE at that time since he had only recently won The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on his WrestleMania debut and officials were high on him backstage.
All roads pointed towards a SummerSlam cash in for Corbin on Jinder Mahal where he would win the title, but backstage issues meant that Baron Corbin was forced to cash in his contract early on an episode of SmackDown Live where John Cena helped Mahal to retain when he got involved in their altercation. Corbin later went on to win the United States Championship before becoming Constable of Monday Night Raw, but this was little consolation as the World Championship continues to elude the former NXT star.
#1. Damien Sandow
Damien Sandow is perhaps one of the saddest stories on this list. There was so much hope for the Intellectual Savior of the Masses when he lifted the Money in the Bank contract back in 2013.
Sandow cashed in on an episode of Raw because WWE knew that would up the ratings but sadly it wasn't time for Cena to lose the title. It was a very short match between the two men after Sandow already attacked the Champion with his briefcase.
The build-up between Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow was a masterpiece but the fact that WWE needed the WWE Universe to be invested in the show to improve ratings and it was Sandow who came up short. Sadly, this was perhaps the highlight of his WWE career, since he later went on a downward spiral ahead of his release.
