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On Sunday, June 17th, WWE presents one of the most exciting events of the year with their Money in the Bank pay per view.
This event will feature a number of men and women vying for the chance to win a shot at a championship match at the time of their choosing.
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Men's Money in the Bank matches has been taking place for a number of years, while last year saw the first ever women's version. The sacrifice and punishment that comes with competing in these matches are unparalleled.
Some past winners may have surprised at the time, but in the end, they have, for the most part, been successful in cashing in their opportunity.
For those competing in this year's event, their future has yet to be written. However, for those that did win the Money in the Bank briefcase, a great deal has been said about them in the wake of their success.
But what is interesting to note is that in several instances, what these men are doing today has nothing to do with wrestling, let alone WWE. Here are five former Money in the Bank winners and where they are now.
#5 Damien Sandow
He held different roles in WWE, his last being that of someone that wanted to finally be his own man.
Before that, though, as the intellectual savior of the masses and one half of the Rhodes Scholars, Damien Sandow certainly stood out. On July 14th, 2014 he won the Money in the Bank briefcase, and in the process ended his team with Cody Rhodes.
This led to Sandow having to try to hold on to the briefcase, despite having it taken from him and tossed around and abused.
Unlike most other case winners, Sandow was unsuccessful, losing the resulting match when he cashed in and challenged John Cena for the WWE championship.
At that time he was just the second wrestler to be unsuccessful cashing in, with Cena being the first.
Today, Sandow has taken a break from professional wrestling, leaving Impact Wrestling after having competed there for a short period of time.
His focus has been on acting, and if his time as The Miz's stunt double is any indication, he will certainly be successful in that career role as well.
#4 Jack Swagger
A twelve-year pro of the ring, Jack Swagger shot up the ranks of WWE almost immediately. Upon graduating from the University of Oklahoma, he tried out with the WWE developmental territory, was successful and got brought into the fold.
After developing his skills for a couple of years, Swagger became ECW champion, and later world heavyweight champion.
That championship win came about when in 2010, Swagger cashed in his briefcase on Chris Jericho after Jericho had been speared by Edge. The win marked his first world heavyweight championship.
After leaving the WWE in 2017, Swagger has explored various wrestling options and also pursued moving from wrestling into mixed martial arts for the Bellator promotion.
Swagger is blazing a trail for himself today, whether in the octagon or the wrestling ring. At thirty-one years of age, Swagger has a great deal still to give to the industry.
It is incredible to think that he captured the Money in the Bank briefcase at only twenty-three years of age.
#3. Alberto Del Rio
During his time with WWE, Alberto Del Rio achieved a great deal of success. He debuted as a latino millionaire with his own personal ring announcer and was able to capture multiple championships.
On July 17th, 2012 he defeated Swagger, Kofi Kingston, Alex Riley, The Miz, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio and Evan Bourne to capture the Money in the Bank briefcase.
It was quite the accomplishment to defeat several former champions, including another Mexican wrestling star in Mysterio.
Today, Del Rio is competing under the name Alberto El Patron. He has competed for Ring of Honor, Lucha Underground, Impact Wrestling, and has returned to Mexico where he is competing for Triple A.
El Patron also acts as the President of Combate Americas, an MMA organization. While it is not known whether or not Del Rio will make another return to WWE, he continues to seek success on his own terms.
#2. Edge
You think you know him? Fans certainly did think they knew Edge over his nearly twenty years in the ring.
During his time in WWE, he was a major star, capturing numerous championships along the way. Between the World and WWE championships, Edge was an eleven-time world champion, a United States champion, a five-time Intercontinental champion, and fourteen-time tag team champion, making him a grand slam champion.
Edge holds the distinction of being the first ever Money in the Bank briefcase winner when he won at Wrestlemania 21 in 2005. He defeated Shelton Benjamin, Chris Benoit, Christian, Kane, and Chris Jericho to win that inaugural match.
In January 2006, Edge cashed in his opportunity, defeating John Cena to capture his first world championship.
Today, Edge is active in film and television. His most recent role is a recurring one on the show Vikings.
He is married to former WWE women's champion Beth Phoenix and together they have two daughters.
#1 CM Punk
He called himself best in the world, but when CM Punk walked into WWE his climb to the top was a gradual ascent, one that fans followed along avidly.
He remains the only two-time Money in the Bank match winner, capturing the briefcase in 2008 and 2009. Both wins were met with a great deal of admiration from fans in attendance and those watching.
When he won the first time around, during Wrestlemania XXIV, he beat out Chris Jericho, Carlito, John Morrison, MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Mr. Kennedy.
It was certainly a who's who that were contending in that match, and he stood above all of them in winning the briefcase. The following year he defeated Benjamin, and MVP again, as well as Christian, Kane, Finlay, Kofi Kingston, and Mark Henry
Punk departed the WWE in 2014 and he hasn't looked back since, even as fans at WWE shows still chant his name during matches.
He has been busy blazing a new trail for himself in MMA. He has had one unsuccessful UFC match, and his next will take place a week before the upcoming Money in the Bank event.
Which of these Superstars had the best cash in? Sound off in the comments section below!
