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Money in the Bank is one of the greatest match concepts in WWE history. The briefcase has yielded multiple stars over the years, with many names becoming world champions by cashing in on it.
The first Money in the Bank Ladder Match happened at WrestleMania 21, in 2005. But what if this iconic idea had stemmed around a decade earlier?
It may be hard to envision because of how rare Ladder Matches were in the 90s. But with the intrigue surrounding it, the Money in the Bank briefcase would have been a huge star-builder back then. Even more Superstars could have risen to the main event scene and become WWE Champion.
Imagine Money in the Bank was introduced in the 1990s, either at WrestleMania or as WWE's fifth pay-per-view instead of King of the Ring. This could have had some compelling scenarios, based on some of the stories being told in WWE back then. Numerous competitors would have been a perfect fit to hold the star-making briefcase.
This list will look at five WWE Superstars who would have won Money in the Bank in the hypothetical event that it was introduced in the 90s.
#5 Shawn Michaels never competed in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match
One of the most obvious choices, Shawn Michaels, would have been nailed on to win the Money in the Bank Ladder Match if it had been around in the 90s. For starters, HBK became a Ladder Match expert after his legendary Intercontinental Championship outing opposite Razor Ramon at WrestleMania 10.
Michaels' character constantly ranged from cocky and arrogant to valiant, which could have led to an interesting dynamic with him as Mr. Money in the Bank. He always looked like a breakout star, so the briefcase would have provided the opportunity to do so before his two Royal Rumble victories.
He may have even won Money in the Bank in mid-1995 en route to becoming WWE Champion in 1996, instead of winning his second Rumble. Alternatively, Shawn Michaels would have been golden as the briefcase winner in 1997. Imagine the tension between him and WWE Champion Bret Hart in the fall of that year.
Had it been a concept at the time, maybe the Montreal Screwjob would have been an unscripted Money in the Bank cash-in. However, having already become a WWE legend when it was introduced, Shawn Michaels would never compete in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
#4 Eddie Guerrero could have become a main-eventer through Money in the Bank
When Money in the Bank was introduced in 2005, Eddie Guerrero would have been one of the best choices to win the briefcase at some point, had he remained alive and healthy. His sneaky persona was befitting of such a favorable opportunity.
Guerrero epitomized the opportunistic aspect of Money in the Bank, always taking advantage of his surroundings to win matches and titles. But if the star-making concept was introduced in the 1990s, he would have been a shoo-in to hold the briefcase in the early years of the Ruthless Aggression Era.
Eddie Guerrero's ascent to the WWE Championship would have happened through Money in the Bank instead of that feud with Brock Lesnar in 2004. He could have cashed in on The Beast Incarnate following an attack from Goldberg, or a match against Chris Benoit.
Either way, Guerrero would have lied, cheated, and stolen his way to a Money in the Bank victory if given the chance to. It's a shame we never got to see him with the briefcase.
#3 Triple H seemed like a perfect fit to hold the Money in the Bank briefcase
One of the most opportunistic Superstars in WWE history, Money in the Bank would have helped Triple H rise to stardom. He'd have been the biggest beneficiary of it, through manipulation and perfect timing. The Game's cunning demeanor seemed perfect for the briefcase.
He has experience in big ladder matches, defeating The Rock for the Intercontinental Championship in 1998. Triple H could have repeated the feat with the Money in the Bank briefcase being up for grabs.
The Game's Money in the Bank victory and cash-in would have garnered significant heel heat from WWE fans. It may have come at the expense of Mankind at SummerSlam 1999. Triple H could have won the WWE Championship immediately after his victory, instead of waiting for RAW the following night.
Alternatively, the likes of DX and Stephanie McMahon could still have played a role in his Money in the Bank cash-in either side of it. Triple H could have been an effective briefcase holder up to 2002. He could have traded it for the brand new World Heavyweight Championship, instead of simply being handed the belt.
#2 Mr. Perfect may have become WWE Champion if Money in the Bank was around in the 1990s
The star-making aspect of Money in the Bank comes from the ability to take an upper midcard Superstar and make him the WWE Champion. Quite a few names from the early 1990s come to mind in this regard, from 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper to Razor Ramon among others.
But one of the biggest WWE Superstars to never win a world title may have been Mr. Perfect. He was near the top of the card in 1990 but wasn't able to dethrone Hulk Hogan or The Ultimate Warrior. Money in the Bank would have changed that, taking him from the cusp of greatness to the promised land.
Perfect was a great character and could have had a lot of fun with the Money in the Bank briefcase, especially with Bobby Heenan as his manager. He was also a phenomenal wrestler, with his time as Intercontinental Champion standing out as a highlight for the belt.
The WWE Hall of Famer could have cashed in on Warrior, serving as a transitional Champion and dropping the WWE Title to Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 7. Mr. Perfect would have been a better choice for that role than Sgt. Slaughter.
#1 Owen Hart would have been the perfect man to win Money in the Bank in the 1990s
From a storytelling perspective, no WWE Superstar from the 90s would have been a better Money in the Bank winner than Owen Hart. Bret Hart's younger brother did it all in WWE, besides winning the world title. The briefcase could have sent him to the top.
Owen had a stellar 1994, turning heel on his older brother and feuding with him throughout the year. He defeated Bret in a classic at WrestleMania 10 but The Hitman became WWE Champion later that night.
The King of Harts would challenge for the title at SummerSlam after winning the King of the Ring tournament. But what if he won Money in the Bank instead?
Had the star-making concept been around in the 1990s, Owen Hart would have used it to get one over Bret Hart and win the WWE Championship. Even before cashing in his briefcase, he would have been incredibly entertaining as Mr. Money in the Bank.
WWE should have done more with the sibling rivalry between Owen and Bret, instead of blowing off their issue on an episode of RAW in March 1995. The Money in the Bank briefcase would have helped extend it, allowing the company to tell an even longer-term story. It's a shame Owen Hart never became WWE Champion.
Which other WWE Superstars would you have liked to see win Money in the Bank if it was introduced in the 1990s? Let us know in the comments below.
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