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Money in the Bank pay-per-view, since its inception in 2010, has given us a lot of stellar matches and countless jaw-dropping moments. It’s one of those memorable PPVs that showcases the excellent athletic abilities of WWE Superstars by testing their limits. Simply put, it is an important platform that could transform a star into a Superstar.
Of all the eight times that this event has been held so far, one year, in particular, stood out for being the critically acclaimed and most-remembered PPV of the modern era. We're talking about Money in the Bank 2011.
MITB 2011:
Other than two forgettable bouts on its match card, the second installment of the MITB PPV played host to three solid matches and one classic main event. Let's relive those six matches one by one.
The match card looked like this:
1. SmackDown MITB Ladder Match
2. Diva's Championship Match
3. Mark Henry vs Big Show
4. RAW MITB Ladder Match
5. World Heavyweight Championship Match
6. WWE Championship Match
Forgettable Matches:
Second match: Divas Championship Match
This is definitely one of the two forgettable matches of that night. Kelly Kelly successfully defended her Divas title against Brie Bella in a 5-minute short match. The crowd was dead for the entire match. This was definitely one of those matches that didn't belong in the PPV.
A few snapshots of the match:
Third Match: Big Show vs Mark Henry:
This was another short match that didn't have much to it. It was what you would expect from a battle between two giants. Mark Henry was the one to seal the victory against Big Show with two 'World's Strongest Slams'. For a PPV packed with stellar performances and quality matches, this match was a let-down for sure.
A few things happened after the match which garnered more attention.
But let's give compliment the Superstars where it's due. 'Hall of the Pain' gimmick of Mark Henry was critically acclaimed and had its share of appreciation from fans. The match just happened to be at the wrong place where cards are stacked pretty high.
Note:
The reason why these two matches were forgettabledespite the PPV still being talked about, is that they lacked two most important things that a pro-wrestling match requires: A compelling story and the skill set required in the ring by the Superstars to complement it.
Opening match: SmackDown Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Being the event opener has its own kind of pressure. You have to give the fans a quality match to set the whole event in the right tone. It might not be a game-changer but it has certain expectations tagged to it.
SD Money in the Bank Ladder Match certainly reached that set expectations.
The Superstars involved in the match were:
Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Kane, Sheamus, Sin Cara, and Wade Barrett
These Superstars gave some power-packed performances in this 25-minute slugfest. From powerbomb through a ladder to gullitone choke submission hold on top of the ladder, it had every high spot that belonged in a Ladder match.
In the End, pre-yes movement Daniel Bryan emerged as SmackDown’s ‘Mr. Money in the Bank’ by kicking Barrett off the ladder and unhooking the briefcase. This win symbolized Daniel Bryan’s transition from a mid-card superstar to main-card superstar. We were not too late to realize after his win that the main-card was the place where he belonged as we got to know him in the next few years.
You can watch the highlights of the match below:
Fourth Match: RAW MITB Ladder Match
RAW’s Ladder Match went down just the same as every critic predicted at that time. Nevertheless, it was a solid match that delivered just fine.
The Superstars involved in the match were:
Alberto Del Rio, Alex Riley, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, and The Miz
As one can see, seven out of eight superstars who competed in this match are either inactive or completely out of WWE right now. Seven years seems like a lifetime in pro-wrestling, doesn’t it?
After Rey Mysterio and Evan Bourne performed their usual top-class high flying skills, Del Rio managed to prevail as RAW’s ‘Mr. Money in the Bank’. He paralyzed Mysterio by removing his mask when they were both on top of the ladder.
Both Superstars fell off the ladder, which apparently was a botch. But Del Rio was quick enough to collect himself back and get hold of the briefcase
A short clip from the match:
Penultimate Match: World Heavyweight Championship Match
The match between Randy Orton and Christian was one of the very few Championship matches which didn’t have a Champion’s advantage. Usually, if the title match ends via disqualification, the titleholder will retain the title.
But it was exempted from this particular match and stipulation was that Orton would lose the title even though the match ended via disqualification or involved some ‘poor officiating’. This made the match very interesting to watch.
The then face-turned-heel Christian managed to win the title from Randy Orton after playing mind-games. The post-match beat-up of Christian by Orton was a ton of fun to watch. A strong storyline driven fued between Christian and 'The Viper' continued for another month.
Highlights of the match:
Main Event: WWE Championship Match
Talking about storyline driven fueds, the main event of MITB 2011 was definitely something that the WWE be proud of for the rest of their career. Stating Punk vs Cena match as one of the best main events of this decade is definitely not an exaggeration. Such was the emotion, energy, and intensity involved in this match.
A classic main event is a difference between a good PPV and a great PPV. This main event was just that: a monumental classic. The stipulation of the closing event was that ‘If CM Punk wins, then he’d leave WWE with the title and Cena would be fired.’
The events that led up to this match were as good as the match itself. I mean, who can forget that shoot promo by Punk? The pipebombs and the fourth wall breaking moments that were involved in that promo were not something that a loyal WWE fan would ever forget.
The 33-minute classic ended with Punk holding the title high in his hands, thanks to Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis' interference for throwing Cena off the game. Although that wasn't what they wanted to accomplish.
The match had numerous great moments to cherish. Adding Chicago’s hot crowd to that was enough to explain why we love pro-wrestling and never lose hope on it despite its setbacks once in a while.
After the match, the already stupefied boss, Mr. McMohan, attempted to strip Punk of the title by calling in Del Rio who, as we know, became ‘Mr. Money in the Bank’ two matches prior. But Punk managed to escape from there without the Ref officially starting the match.
By leaving the stage through the crowd with the title, Punk marked the end of ‘The Best’ Money in the Bank PPV event ever held.
Highlights of the match:
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