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The annual spectacle that is Money in the Bank is a few days away. Each year this event comes around, and each year fans go nuts with excitement. Even though it's a 'gimmick' pay-per-view, its constant quality and popularity with the fans have promoted it to be at par with the 'Big Four' PPV's (WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble).
Each year, the Money in the Bank match is filled with talents that want to go on and become Mr. Money in the Bank. Usually, the field is diluted with some prospects and others that are just present to fill the numbers.
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However, this year all the competitors could be believable winners. Even though some are obviously more likely than the others, but there aren't any names that you instantly ignore. This list will look at every competitor in this year's Men's Money in the Bank match and will grade what are their chances of winning.
#8 Bobby Roode
Bobby Roode is a great wrestler with a lot of potential. However, WWE have failed to capitalize on that. At this point, he is just an entrance music popper for the WWE. He has been in failed feuds during his entire main roster run and is yet to do anything memorable, despite him being the former United States and NXT Champion.
The former TNA man is an amazing competitor in general with a great look and in-ring working style. We could see the heights he can reach in his run as the NXT Champion and that expectation has left a lot to be desired from Roode. There is no doubt that he is a tremendous competitor who deserves a lot more than what he has been getting, but it isn't even remotely his time to be Mr Money in the Bank right now.
Chances: Very Low
#7 Rusev
Money in the Bank will conveniently fall on Rusev Day, however, it won't be Rusev's Day. The perennially over Bulgarian is someone who has everyone behind right now and they want to see him get the push that he deserves. He is selling merchandise like hotcakes, and almost every show reserves the loudest pops for him.
Rusev isn't a pro wrestler, but he is a sports entertainer in every respect of the term. He is captivating and engaging, but he is being given horrible material to work with. He is succeeding on his own terms, and not because of the management's support.
However, that might be the prime reason that Money in the Bank will not be Rusev's night. WWE Management is yet to show prolonged support for the Bulgarian, and a Money in the Bank victory is relatively unlikely for him.
Chances: Low
#6 Member of The New Day
The New Day may just go down in WWE history as one of the best tag teams to have ever stepped foot inside the ring. They have been wildly successful and this success has pegged all three members as big Superstars in their own right. However, this may not promise a run as Mr. Money in the Bank for any of the three.
Money in the Bank will not see the dawn of a New Day for a very simple reason. No story has been fleshed out well enough for any of the three to suddenly break out as a singles Superstar.
Even though we expect Big E to be one of the next big things, it is going to take a little time before that happens. Kofi has been around the block too long, and it seems doubtful that WWE will stick him up into this spot. Xavier Woods is uber-talented but doesn't seem the type to given such immediate singles success. All in all, this seems pretty unlikely for the New Day.
Chances: Low
#5 Finn Balor
Finn Balor ended Raw on top of the ladder hoisting the Money in the Bank briefcase high in the air. I mean, that says it all, doesn't it? WWE are trying to keep Balor strong, but will fail in that endeavour as it is an unspoken rule in the WWE that the one who ends up on top before the show, usually loses on the show itself.
Balor has been given a small bit of support from WWE creative off late. having a great mini series with Braun Strowman on Raw and being booked relatively strong against his opponents. However, despite this, we cannot overlook this pool of talent to see that there are wrestlers more likely to be Mr Money in the Bank than Balor. Balor is a wonderful performer, but this mini-resurgence is not enough for it to warrant him a run with the briefcase because of a lot of failed booking before that.
Chances: Medium
#4 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe is a wonderful character, and possibly one of the best characters that the WWE has right now. He is a sneering, bad-ass heel that can take down almost any challenge put in front of him. Even though his integrity has been hurt after that doomed match against Roman Reigns, Joe is still a very strong character heading into Money in the Bank.
Joe ranks fourth on this loss for the simple fact that being Mr. Money in the Bank really doesn't seem like a fit for him. He isn't someone who needs to pounce on an already beaten champion, but instead he is one to challenge the champion and beat them up despite their strength.
However, because he is a heel, this can be spun into a story that he is opportunistic. Even though that may work, Samoa Joe isn't a prime Mr Money in the Bank holder because of a personality mismatch.
Chances: Medium
#3 Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman has been one of the most protected characters in recent WWE history. He has been a monster that is unstoppable and wonderfully entertaining. This strong booking and support from the management is the one and only reason why I would keep Strowman so high on the list.
Much like Samoa Joe, Strowman's character doesn't match with the concept of a Money in the Bank winner, neither does Strowman's. Strowman won the Tag Team belts alone (Do you really want to count Nicholas?). He didn't need a partner to beat two champions alone, so why would Strowman want to win something which makes becoming a champion infinitely easy for him?
If he has rejected easy challenges, then how would his character match with the demands from a Mr. Money in the Bank? This reason halts him from being an out-and-out favourite, but considering how WWE loves deviating plots according to convenience, it wouldn't be surprising at all for Strowman to win the briefcase.
Chances: High
#2 Kevin Owens
A month ago, I would probably rank Owens towards the bottom of this list. However, much has changed for The Prizefighter. Apart from being booked relatively well after his fiasco at Backlash against Strowman and Lashley, Owens has been succeeding behind the scenes too. He got offered a relatively rare 5-year contract, breaking the norm of the 3-year deals that WWE offer. These two factors combine and make a promising case for Owens.
WWE's faith in Owens is reflected by the change in his character ever since he signed that new deal. He has been booked strongly and has been presented as a very compelling contender. Along with that, we have known the support Owens has had from Triple H in the past, and if that support still continues, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Owens walk out as Mr. Money in the Bank.
He has a character that will fit perfectly with the briefcase and his eventual cash-in would be a mega pop. If WWE are smart, and if they follow the path of Owens, they have a relatively surefire thing on their hands.
Chances: High
#1 The Miz
It is finally The Miz's time to avenge the ghosts from his 2010-2011 main event run. he has been working very hard to become one of the most entertaining figures in the WWE, and all of that work comes to a crescendo at Money in the Bank. Miz isn't in mid-card title feuds anymore, and he is sure to be making a long overdue push towards the main event again.
Another true sports entertainer, this is the perfect time for The Miz to elevate himself into the main event. He would honestly be so good as Mr. Money in the Bank. He could tease so many cash-ins and just walk off if he thinks it is even slightly challenging for him to cash in.
He can actually become a despised heel who keeps doing whatever he wants because he knows that this briefcase has essentially assured him another run with the WWE Championship. That is the one thing we as fans have wanted the most, and no doubt The Miz has been waiting for his moment in the sun again.
Now when is Daniel Bryan becoming WWE Champion?
Chances: Very High
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