Since 2005, Money in the Bank ladder matches have been held at either WrestleMania or a MITB-themed pay-per-view. The concept of the match is that a briefcase containing a contract for a world title shot is hanging above the ring, with a field of six to eight superstars competing to climb a ladder and take down the briefcase.
That contract can be cashed in at any time and almost always leads to a new champion. The match itself and the ensuing tension related to the briefcase are exciting, but there are generations of superstars that never participated. Here are 10 from the 1980s and 1990s who would’ve been great MITB competitors.
#10 Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior was seemingly excitement incarnate. His sprints to the ring and rope-shaking were thrilling to fans of all ages, and that intensity led to multiple championship runs despite claims that he wasn’t that skilled in the ring.
That ability to hype up the crowd, though, would’ve made him the perfect choice to compete in and even win a Money in the Bank match. He would’ve helped make the finish and the match itself as big as possible, and the thought of Warrior sprinting down the ramp to cash in is an intriguing one.
#9 Tito Santana
Tito Santana is a two-time Intercontinental Champion and a two-time tag champ from the WWF days, and he also held various titles in other promotions and territories. More importantly, nearly all his matches on big stages were entertaining and technically sound.
Both of those things would be great assets for a Money in the Bank match, but his energy level would be an even bigger positive. His high-octane style in the ring would have helped get the fans out of their seats for a false finish or real victory.
#8 Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin won more than his fair share of titles and was one of the most “over” superstars in WWE history. He helped create the WWE’s ever-popular Attitude Era and has fans in arenas still yelling “What?” to this day.
But how much fun would he have been in a Money in the Bank match, with his angry fighting style and proclivity for using weapons anyway? Then imagine how much more the MITB briefcase would’ve added to his famous beer truck stunt and other encounters with the Corporation.
#7 Sting
Sting may have only come to the WWE recently, but he was a legend in WCW and to a lesser degree in TNA for years before that. He was known as “The Franchise” for his long-term commitment to the WCW and served as the perfect antithesis to the NWO.
That battle with the NWO could’ve been even better with the Money in the Bank briefcase, though. Had he dropped out of the rafters with that contract and a bat, WCW arenas would’ve exploded, and he would’ve been a favorite in any match.
#6 Jake Roberts
For every high-flying superstar and brawler that has made the Money in the Bank matches special, performances like Bray Wyatt in a ladder match for the world title in 2014 are equally memorable for their creepy nature.
That’s why Jake “The Snake” Roberts could’ve been an incredible addition to the MITB match if one were held during his prime. With Damien, his python, looming in the back of everyone’s mind, Roberts’ mind games would’ve been fun to watch, and who knows how he would’ve got the snake involved to win.
#5 Roddy Piper
Who better to spice up the action for a crazy match like Rowdy Roddy Piper? The former WWE and WCW star is known for wild and crazy antics in the ring and during promos, which would have made him a big factor in building to the match.
Much like we’d expect from Dean Ambrose, Piper would have also been the ultimate wild card if he actually won the match. Getting to that point would also be fun, as Piper would no doubt pull out all the stops to win the often hectic ladder match.
#4 Diamond Dallas Page
There has perhaps never been a more unexpectedly popular champion than Diamond Dallas Page. Never known for his technical or athletic prowess, DDP rose to the peak of his career by being the hard-working “people’s champion” who just didn’t give up.
That character would play very well in a Money in the Bank ladder match. Page would know how to get the crowd behind him from the get-go, and his ability to take punishment and keep battling would’ve really added to the MITB scenario.
#3 Randy Savage
Much like Piper, the Macho Man Randy Savage would’ve been a monstrous addition to the build-up process to the MITB match. On top of his abilities on the microphone, non-wrestling fans might’ve even gotten interested due to Savage’s immense popularity.
In the match itself, Savage’s storytelling ability would’ve been on full display. On top of that, who wouldn’t want to see the Macho Man leap from the top of a ladder to hit one of his opponents with his patented elbow drop finisher?
#2 Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels is as connected with the ladder match as any superstar in WWE history. He put on plenty of great moments in such matches, most notably during the all-time classic against Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X.
The Money in the Bank match would allow Michaels to combine his reputation for ladder matches with a similar tendency to steal the show at the Royal Rumble with crazy acrobatic stunts. And really, what match wouldn’t be better with the Heartbreak Kid?
#1 Mick Foley
There is no superstar in wrestling history more commonly associated with hardcore and special rules matches than Mick Foley. Whether it’s a Hell in a Cell Match, a Boiler Room Brawl Match or a Buried Alive Match, Foley has added his name to the history books for a variety of stunts.
So if added to a Money in the Bank match, Foley would ensure that the event was as extreme as possible. He would also make sure that the others’ stunts looked impressive, so he wouldn’t even need to win to put his mark on MITB history.
