Author 322u5
Since the first-ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match took place at WrestleMania 21, the ladder match has delivered some of the most thrilling and memorable moments in WWE history.
Both male and female superstars put everything on the line for the ultimate prize, suspended above the ring, and the right to be called Mr. or Ms. Money In The Bank.
The combination of high-stakes drama and unforgettable action/moments eventually led to Money in the Bank becoming its own WWE PLE.
Winning this No. 1 contender’s contract provides a unique advantage, allowing the holder to cash in their briefcase for a championship match at any time and anywhere!
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Top 10 Money In The Bank Ladder Matches 3l392n
As Money In The Bank PLE article, this topic deserves its own list, so here are the top 10 Money in the Bank ladder matches of all time!
#10 – Money In The Bank 2012 – Smackdown 394z1n
To be honest, when you see the names in this match (Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Tyson Kidd, Christian, Santino Marella, Tensai, and Sin Cara), you might question how it made the list. However, somehow despite the different styles, the match meshed very well and put on a solid performance.
But the main reason it makes the list is the crowd-pleasing victory from Dolph Ziggler, which leads to one of the loudest pops ever when he cashes in the briefcase later on down the line!
#9 Men’s Money In The Bank – 2017 3x6j1a
AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler were involved in this one! This match had more of an “indyrific” feel with the teased Styles-Nakamura faceoff (which sadly never really delivered on the NJPW level), plus the escalation of the KO-Sami Zayn feud.
While Corbin’s win never really amounted to much (THANK YOU JOHN CENA- insert angry emoji face here), the action in the match was great, as you’d expect from the likes of the other five involved.
#8 Money In The Bank 2010 – Raw e64
It was the first-ever WWE Money In The Bank PLE, and though there was a SmackDown Ladder Match on this show, all eyes went to the Raw version. Here, Randy Orton, The Miz, Chris Jericho, Edge, Evan Bourne, John Morrison, Mark Henry, and Ted DiBiase Jr battled for the briefcase.
You had breathtaking spots from Evan Bourne (not the last time you’ll see his name on this list) and John Morrison, while Mark Henry brought unbelievable strength to the match that really hadn’t been seen before. The Miz ended up winning after Bourne, Jericho, Edge, and Orton all failed to grab the title in the finishing stretch.
#7 Money In The Bank – WrestleMania 22 1j4p1n
The second Money In The Bank Ladder Match ever featured Rob Van Dam, Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Finlay, Lashley, and Matt Hardy attempting to win the briefcase.
During the WrestleMania years of Money In The Bank, Shelton Benjamin moments stick out in the brain as he was arguably the MVP of the WM21 & WM22 match (you’ll see that again later). However, a spot that will live in my head forever is watching 57-year-old Ric Flair be superplexed off the ladder!
RVD ended up winning the match, leading to arguably the second-biggest cash-in in WWE history as well.
#6 Money In The Bank 2011 – Raw 1x4f1s
This match may not have had the biggest names in WWE history (Alberto Del Rio, Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, The Miz, Alex Riley, R-Truth, and Jack Swagger) but it’s one of the most action-packed Money In The Bank ladder matches ever.
From Evan Bourne soaring with a breathtaking Air Bourne (Shooting Star Press) off the ladder on the outside to The Miz attempting a dramatic return after a “leg injury” in a desperate bid to steal the win (ultimate heel move).
Then the ending, which saw Alberto Del Rio’s disgusting victory, as he unmasked Rey Mysterio atop the ladder in an ultimate act of disrespect before grabbing the briefcase and securing his contract.
#5 Money In The Bank – 2014 4e26p
This match had Spotfest stars (Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, RVD) alongside an “all-around” great wrestler (Jack Swagger) plus a bloodthirsty hatred feud (Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose) helping it make the top 5. It can’t be overstated enough how great Kofi was in the match, but the hate feud between Rollins and Ambrose drove this match over the top from the start.
Now, I’ll say, I hate interference occurring in matches, but for this one, it made sense, as it took every bit of “The Authority” to stop Dean from getting the contract. This match ended up becoming a turning point for “The Authority” storyline while also leading to arguably the greatest cash-in ever (let’s be honest we all know it’s #1… Or is it?).
#4 Money In The Bank – WrestleMania 23 241k39
Despite the events that occurred down the line with the briefcase, Edge, CM Punk, Jeff Hardy, King Booker, Finlay, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton, and Mr. Kennedy stole the show at WM23! We got a “mini” Hardy reunion, another historic Jeff Hardy-Edge moment, RKO’s out of nowhere, and brilliant “do anything it takes to win the match” maneuvers from Matt Hardy (very sly getting Jeff to take out Edge plus threatening Sharmell to prevent Booker from winning).
Mr. Kennedy’s win felt like it was set to be another “breakout moment” for the Money In The Bank victor, but unfortunately never occurred (partially due to injury but also backstage politics).
#3 Money In The Bank – 2016 5z1v3z
This Money In The Bank Ladder Match involved Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Chris Jericho, Dean Ambrose, and Alberto Del Rio. With a lineup like that, it’s no surprise this was a perfect mix of storylines and stunts. The Owens-Zayn blood feud added emotion yet again, while Cesaro’s innovation with the ladder swings amazed fans (man, did WWE drop the ball with him!).
Ambrose’s win also led to the historic Shield triple threat later that night, which only adds to the legacy of this match. (How did we never get this match at WrestleMania?!)
#2 Money In The Bank 2013 – “All-Stars” 55673c
The match itself may not have been “breathtaking,” but it’s arguably the best lineup in Money In The Bank ladder match history and delivered in ways only these superstars can: CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Christian, and RVD (unbelievably over with the crowd, by the way)!
The fans ate up every moment of the Punk/Bryan teases and action, RVD going classic RVD, EVERYONE on a ladder spot, Heyman turning on Punk (maybe Punk should have learned!), and the eventual unbelievable RKO out of nowhere to RVD before Orton grabbed the briefcase. I mean, Orton even hit a T-Bone suplex onto a ladder during this match! That right there isn’t exactly “vintage Randy Orton”.
#1 Money In The Bank – WrestleMania 21 3u3l6j
With Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Edge, Christian, Kane, and Shelton Benjamin involved, the action in this match was straight insanity, historically innovative, and just overall brutally physical to all superstars. From Shelton’s iconic ladder-run clothesline to Benoit’s diving headbutt off the ladder, these images are still lasting in everyone’s mind who’s seen the match. You then throw in Edge’s win, which launched the “Ultimate Opportunist” persona into the main event scene and led to so many historic cash-ins you have to G.O.A.T.
So, yes, while being the very first Money In The Bank match might cause some bias, watching it today (20 years later) shows just how groundbreaking and influential it truly was. It set the foundation for what has become the most anticipated match/PLE on the WWE calendar, second only to the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.