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The WWE's annual Money in the Bank PPV is set to take place in just over two weeks' time on May 19th and the card is beginning to take shape.
On this week's Raw and SmackDown, the line-ups for this year's men's and women's Money in the Bank ladder matches were revealed and there were a few surprises featured in both matches.
The men's match features an interesting mix of young, fresh talent - stars in need of a boost, and some older veterans as well. It has the potential to be one of the most exciting Money in the Bank matches in recent years.
There could be a legitimate argument made for any of the eight men involved in this match walking away with the briefcase, but when the dust has settled on the night, only one of the superstars can be crowned 'Mr Money in the Bank 2019'.
Let's take a more detailed look at all eight men involved in this year's match and see what their chances are.
#8. Ricochet
While there are many fans in the WWE Universe who would love to see Ricochet walk away as Mr Money in the Bank 2019, the former NXT North American Champion has only just made his debut on the main roster and it seems unlikely that the WWE will want him anywhere near the main-event scene in the immediate future, despite his undeniable popularity and charisma.
The match, however, could turn out to be a massive platform to get Ricochet over though, as it is highly probable that he will be tasked to perform several major spots during the match.
Ricochet's popularity is undeniable, and there is a very strong chance of him ending up in the main-event scene in the coming 12 months, as for right now though, a run with the briefcase would feel a little too soon.
#7. Randy Orton
Given some of the superstars who have been left out of this match, the inclusion of Randy Orton feels a little bit strange this year.
Orton is the only former World Champion in a Money in the Bank line-up that feels rather fresh and exciting, and The Viper is probably only in the match to hit a crazy RKO off a ladder on either Ricochet or Ali.
As we've seen in the past though, you can never rule out the WWE falling back on Randy Orton as a bankable main-event star, but given the fact that none of the other seven competitors have ever held any of the top prizes in the WWE, giving the briefcase to Randy Orton would feel like an absolutely massive waste here.
While the WWE will no doubt tease him winning the briefcase to mess with audience expectations, it seems highly unlikely that Orton will be becoming a two-time Mr Money in the Bank anytime soon.
#6. Braun Strowman
How the mighty have fallen. Braun Strowman was the winner of last year's Money in the Bank briefcase and the fact that he finds himself with a lesser chance in this year's encounter is almost indicative of how far he has fallen down the WWE pecking order.
Strowman became only the fourth man to fail his cash-in last year, and the WWE has failed to help him back on his feet since then.
While there may be an outside chance for Strowman to win this match, the fact that the WWE decided to not feature him on this year's WrestleMania card and to cut short his feud with Samoa Joe over the US Championship should go somewhere in telling fans exactly what WWE creative seems to think of the former Wyatt Family member at this moment in time.
Strowman's highlight will no doubt come when all seven men team up to take him out in some sort of spectacular spot.
#5. Ali
Before KofiMania, which came out of the blue, took over the WWE Universe, there was some speculation among fans that Ali was the superstar the WWE originally intended on having to face Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35.
Whether or not that was the case, we will never know, but if it was, then it would suggest that the WWE does potentially see the former 205 Live star as a main-event talent one day.
The way Ali is booked in this match could be telling. There is a strong chance that the WWE will book him as nothing more as a human highlight reel here, but if they opt instead to book him as a serious competitor, they could use this match to gauge crowd reactions.
It's been a long time since an out-and-out pure babyface like Ali won the briefcase and it would certainly be interesting to see what direction they would go in if they decided to shock us all at the show.
#4. Finn Balor
Finn Balor has been crying out for a move to SmackDown for quite some time and now that is has happened, the former Universal Champion may finally be provided with the opportunities required to fulfil his potential in the WWE.
While the WWE could start rebuilding Balor as a main-eventer by giving him the Money in the Bank briefcase, a lengthy run with the Intercontinental Championship against top quality opponents would arguably have the exact same effect, and the briefcase has traditionally fared better when it has been carried by heel performers.
Balor and Andrade still have unfinished business heading into this match as well, so there is a strong chance that the WWE will use this match as a way of continuing to build up the heat between the pair, with Andrade potentially costing Balor the briefcase late in the match to set up a match between the duo following the show.
#3. Baron Corbin
Baron Corbin has nuclear heat with the crowd following his WrestleMania 35 victory, and the WWE's insistence on using him in big marquee matches is only angering the WWE Universe more and more.
That level of heel heat is difficult to come by and the WWE may attempt to capitalise on that by awarding Corbin his second Money in the Bank briefcase in the space of three years.
The company could decide to book Corbin as their top heel in what would be the ultimate act of fan-trolling. They could even decide to go all out and have Corbin cash in on Rollins or Styles later in the night.
Corbin is everything the fans despise about the product right now, and the company could decide to take a risk on him and place him right at the top of their card.
Of course, they would also risk a substantial backlash by doing this, but that hasn't stopped them in the past.
#2. Andrade
Anyone who watched any of Andrade's run as NXT Champion last year will know exactly what the former La Sombra is capable of as a main-event talent.
The WWE has seemed hesitant to go all in on Andrade on the main roster, despite him putting in several impressive performances against some of the company's top stars.
His recent matches with Finn Balor on both Raw and SmackDown are excellent examples of his in-ring capabilities and at the very least, fans will be expecting him to be booked very strongly in this encounter.
In many ways, Andrade and the Money in the Bank briefcase are a match made in heaven, and his arrogant, heelish persona could work perfectly alongside the briefcase.
Perhaps the only indication that Andrade is not set to win this match is the fact that he was shifted brands twice at the Superstar Shakeup, which seems unlike something the WWE would do if they intended on him winning such a major prize.
#1. Drew McIntyre
Heading into this year's Money in the Bank match, Drew McIntyre steads head and shoulders above the rest of the performers as the night's clear favourite.
McIntyre has been nothing but impressive since making his return to the WWE main roster post-WrestleMania 34 and with Brock Lesnar currently out of the picture, Raw is in need of a top heel to go up against the likes of Seth Rollins and AJ Styles.
Above all else, McIntyre's victory and presumed successful cash-in later down the road should go someway into restoring the integrity of the men's briefcase, which has fallen on hard times in the hands of Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman over the last two years.
Drew McIntyre is clearly destined for the top of the Raw roster, and winning the Money in the Bank briefcase in a few weeks time will be the start of that rise.
