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This week's episode of WWE SmackDown was important in knowing the participants of the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match. Initially, the match was scheduled between Big Cass and Samoa Joe. However, Big Cass would interrupt the proceedings and declare that he had been medically cleared to compete.
General Manager Paige would intervene later and make the main-event a triple threat match with the winner advancing to the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match. Samoa Joe would eventually win the match and complete the jigsaw puzzle.
Only Sportskeeda gives you the latest Wrestling News, rumors and updates.
The Samoan Submission Machine is not the only big name to head into the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match as a favorite. Other heavyweights like Kevin Owens and Braun Strowman (and probably Big E) will try to make sure that he falls short.
So, who is the actual favorite to win the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match? Here are our predictions for the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match.
Also Read: 5 Bizarrely funny stipulations Shinsuke Nakamura could have chosen
#8 Braun Strowman
Don't mistake us. Braun Strowman is a future World Champion in our eyes. However, he doesn't require the Money in the Bank contract for that.
The 'Monster among Men' has skyrocketed his status as a main-event superstar since WrestleMania 33. If you look at his accolades, he has won almost everything since then. Survivor Series survivor? Check. Burying the Raw tag team division at WrestleMania? Check. The Greatest Royal Rumble? Check.
He has won almost every big thing in the WWE. The Money in the Bank contract isn't a necessity for him currently. If the WWE wants him to take out Brock Lesnar, he can do that without it.
#7 Rusev
Rusev wasn't being taken seriously by the WWE. However, an alliance with Aiden English and the 'Rusev Day' chants put him on the good books.
If Rusev and Lana win their respective matches, it would be the first time in history that the contracts are held by a husband-and-wife pair. Moreover, they could even win the World Championship on the same night!
However, we believe that WWE wouldn't proceed in this direction. If they were so "over" at Rusev, he shouldn't have taken the pin at WrestleMania. This shows that WWE will only push him occasionally and falter him at the big stages. And if that's the case, Rusev is nowhere close to winning the Money in the Bank ladder match.
#6 The New Day
As of now, we even don't know which member of the New Day will compete at the Money in the Bank ladder match. Will it be Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, or Big E? Let's analyze each of the competitor's chances one by one and come to conclusions.
Xavier Woods is the guy who plays trumpet and has a YouTube channel named UpUpDownDown. The 31-year-old is a future star but doesn't have enough credibility right now. The idea of him holding the World Championship looks far-fetched for now.
Kofi Kingston is an 11 year WWE veteran who is yet to win the World Championship. If booked properly in 2009, he could have been the next big superstar.
However, WWE thought otherwise and let the opportunity slip. If the New Day breaks, he can find prominence in the mid-card but not in the World Championship scenario.
Big E is the breakout star of the New Day. If the New Day breaks, Big E will be the one to benefit the most. However, the thought of a World Championship on his waist is difficult to believe right now.
If the New Day breaks and he is pushed properly, he can be seen as a legitimate threat to win the ladder match. Till then, the gimmick will only hold him back.
#5 Bobby Roode
Bobby Roode is one of those superstars who has failed to find the same prominence in the main roster as they found in NXT. Moreover, he is turning out to be one of those wrestlers who were on top at TNA but not in WWE.
Bobby Roode shouldn't be blamed as WWE hasn't given him proper materials to work with. The 'glorious' gimmick suits a heel more than a face. Triple H knew that and aptly booked him as a heel NXT champion.
Next week on Raw, he will go one-on-one with Braun Strowman. Unless he puts up a terrific performance, we don't see him ascending the ranks.
#4 Kevin Owens
Unlike the previous names, Kevin Owens has held the WWE championship. The Prizefighter and Chris Jericho had formed a formidable alliance and it seemed nearly impossible to take the title away from Kevin Owens.
When he betrayed Jericho, he lost the title and subverted his credibility. His run with Sami Zayn is intriguing but not of that stature as it was with Jericho.
So with Sami Zayn not on his side, how can Kevin Owens win the briefcase? It's simple; he doesn't. Lately, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are on different paths. Unless Sami Zayn comes to his rescue at Money in the Bank, he is in no position to win the match. But if he does, he might take the briefcase with him.
#3 Samoa Joe
The last person to book his spot at the Money in the Bank ladder match might be the first person to unhook the briefcase. The Samoan Submission Machine might not be a ladder match specialist but is a reckoning force
Samoa Joe has squandered many opportunities due to his injuries in the main roster. Moreover, repetitive losses to Roman Reigns should have buried him. But he has maintained his credibility as a main-event star.
The Samoan Submission Machine is yet to win a PPV match since Survivor Series 2017. If you go back further, his last PPV victory came at the Extreme Rules. It is high time that he gets rewarded, and Money in the Bank should be the perfect place.
#2 The Miz
The only competitor to win the Money in the Bank ladder match, cash it in successfully and become a World Champion from the lot is the Miz. When he had won the contract in 2010, many questioned WWE's booking. However, the situation is different now. The same people would applaud WWE if they let him win.
It is surprising to note that he hasn't been the World Champion since then. He has rejuvenated himself as one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions and a mainstay in the upper mid-card. But, will WWE give him the opportunity to be on the top of the mountain?
The Miz has improved a lot since he main-evented WrestleMania 27. Moreover, other than Kevin Owens, he is the only competitor to have the persona to sneak in from behind and win the World Championship. Perhaps, it is the only way the Miz can win the World Championship again.
#1 Finn Balor
Let's admit it. Finn Balor isn't the same person he was when he had debuted on the main roster. An injury abruptly halted his Championship run, and he failed to find his footing since then.
If it wasn't for his match with AJ Styles, he might have plummeted his status far away from the Universal title. However, his subsequent bookings didn't help him. It only confused the fans more and subverted his status as a "true babyface" after Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman in the red brand.
So how long will he don the role? Not long enough. He should win the Money in the Bank ladder match, cash it on the champion, and become the new WWE Universal Champion. Telling that the WWE Championship is his necessity would be an understatement. It is his sine qua non.
