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Every once in a while, there is a great idea that revolutionalizes not just the WWE but professional wrestling as a whole. One of those ideas was the Money In The Bank concept; which debuted at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.
The concept was simple, take one of the most exciting match types and add an element that can cause intrigue and suspense for up to a full year. That is what the combination of the ladder match with the Money In The Bank briefcase presented.
Since 2005, the men have competed in a total of 18 Money In The Bank Ladder Matches and 15 of those 18 went on to become a world champion within the WWE. That is a success rate of 83%.
This year eight male WWE Superstars have a chance to hold that briefcase and this article is going to take a look at scenarios for each man to climb the ladder, grab the briefcase, and cash it in.
This is not an article ranking the likelihood of winning, so the WWE Superstars will be presented in an unranked list, starting with the first WWE Universal Champion in history.
#1 Finn Balor
It has been over 650 days since Finn Balor had to relinquish the WWE Universal Championship due to injury. Oddly enough, he has never really had a fair shot at regaining that title either.
That is the story that can be played if Balor is able to climb the ladder and retrieve the briefcase this Sunday.
He's proven to have great matches with someone much bigger than him (Braun Strowman) so cashing the contract in on Brock Lesnar and winning isn't really that far-fetched.
#2 Big E (presumably The New Day's representative)
I've said on my Lost In The Midcard podcast for at least the past two years that the WWE needs to push Big E as a singles competitor while still keeping The New Day together as a cohesive unit. Fast forward to today and there are rumors that this may actually be true.
While The New Day is still keeping the competitive advantage by not announcing who's (WHO? WHO? WHO?) going to compete in the ladder match, my gut feeling is Big E will be the one to compete.
Most of Money In The Bank's history has been centered around elevating someone who's never been to the top, and Big E fits that mold perfectly. He can cash in on whoever takes the title from AJ Styles; whether it be Shinsuke Nakamura or Samoa Joe
#3 The Miz
The return of Maryse to the WWE the night after WrestleMania 32 reinvigorated The Miz's career and he's been on fire ever since. The last (and only) time The Miz was a world champion was in 2010 when he won the WWE Championship after cashing in his Money In The Bank contract on Randy Orton.
It's been seven years since Miz was WWE Champion, and frankly, that is just too long for someone of his talent. He'll definitely go into the WWE Hall of Fame someday as the greatest WWE Intercontinental Champion ever, but he deserves more runs with a world championship.
The Miz could cash in on anyone basically. His popularity has soared so they could make him a babyface by cashing in on a heel or keep him as a heel and cash in on a champion like AJ Styles or maybe even Daniel Bryan down the road to kickstart the feud we all want.
#4 Kevin Owens
WWE recently signed Kevin Owens to a five-year contract; which shows that they have faith in him help lead the company in the near future. Before Brock Lesnar hijacked the WWE Universal Championship for over 435 days, Kevin Owens held it for 188; which was a great reign for his first world championship run in the WWE.
By winning the Money In The Bank briefcase, Owens can make history by cashing in and becoming the first ever two-time WWE Universal Champion.
All signs point to Roman Reigns defeating Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam to finally get that belt off of him, and it would be a great time to have a second title change on the same night.
It would honestly be a memorable ending to arguably the second biggest pay per view on the WWE calendar.
#5 Bobby Roode
If there is a man on the WWE roster that is in need of a heel turn, it's Bobby Roode. It's clear that his best work happens as a heel from his NXT and Impact Wrestling days.
It's not to say that Roode has done a bad job as a babyface, but it really isn't going anywhere, especially since the move to Monday Night Raw.
I've been saying ever since the Superstar Shakeup that the best way to turn Roode heel is to have him attack one of the most-liked Superstars on the roster right now in Seth Rollins.
I feel like Seth is going to be WWE Universal Champion at some point this year, and a Roode cash-in would be a great way to turn him heel.
#6 Rusev
Of the eight men in this Money In The Bank Ladder Match, Rusev is probably the most deserving to win that briefcase and cash in the contract to finally become a world champion within the WWE after four years on the main roster.
Rusev's career has been reinvigorated thanks to the rise of Rusev Day; which is arguably one of the most popular acts based on the WWE Universe's reaction. Rusev Day chants are everywhere and what better way to reward Rusev than with the briefcase.
Imagine the pop when Rusev's music hits to cash in.
Rusev could hypothetically cash in on any champion. He's currently booked as a heel, but the fans love him, so cashing in on a heel could cement his face turn.
#7 Samoa Joe
As I think about the eight participants in the men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match, Samoa Joe is my favorite to come out with the briefcase. After winning the contract, one of the most dangerous men on the WWE roster becomes even more dangerous.
After a couple of minor injuries, Joe has been healthy and remained a major part of the WWE for all of 2018. They've rightfully booked him to be a monster and he's delivered inside of the ring and on the microphone.
If AJ Styles retains against Shinsuke Nakamura in the Last Man Standing Match, expect Joe to not waste much time cashing in that contract, potentially even this Sunday night.
#8 Braun Strowman
It has been a long time since there has been an organic rise of a WWE Superstar the likes of Braun Strowman. He was brought along slowly from the black sheep of the Wyatt Family to one of the most entertain superstars on the roster today.
He has the entire package to be a world champion within the WWE. The unstoppable big man physique, great comedic timing on the mic, and amazing athletic ability and speed for a man his size.
The WWE had no alternative but to make him a babyface (for the most part) because of just how good he is in all aspects of the pro wrestling business. Braun deserves to be world champion, he deserves to win Money In The Bank and is more than capable of doing so.
He could easily win and cash in on Brock the very next time Lesnar appears in a WWE arena.
Who do you think will win the 2018 Men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match? Tell us in the comments below!
