What started out as a match concept at WrestleMania 21 in 2005 has evolved into one of WWE’s premiere constants every year. We hold a Money In The Bank contract ladder match, with the winner getting a world title match any time within a year. There have been good moments, bad moments and some in-between moments. But overall, Money In The Bank creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. With that said, I’ve been watching some film recently, and here is what I believe to be the top 5 Money In The Bank ladder matches ever.
5. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy (WrestleMania 24)
This Money In The Bank ladder match was terrific in showcasing the athleticism of the competitors. John Morrison and Shelton Benjamin especially were able to carry the match with a series of amazing aerial assaults. The match even featured a surprise run-in from Matt Hardy as he delivered a Twist of Fate to Shelton Benjamin off the top of the ladder. Others such as Carlito, Kennedy, and Jericho were especially adept at manipulating the ladders and using it to destroy their opponents. Many people disagree with CM Punk winning this match because his title run later that year would prove to be an utter failure, and since Chris Jericho would go on to have the best campaign of anyone in 2008, many felt he should have won this match. That said, I think everything turned out okay in the end.
4. CM Punk vs. King Booker vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Finlay. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton (WrestleMania 23)
Arguably the most star-studded field in the history of this match, the MITB ladder match at this particular WrestleMania was the definition of chaotic as each man was able to get in their own special moves. Of course, this match is remembered for Jeff Hardy paying Edge back for his WrestleMania 17 spear by jumping off the top of the ladder and sentoning Edge all the way to hell. It was basically an endless cycle of all of these superstars hitting their moves and finishers, and while it can be a cliched thing to do in a MITB ladder match if done right, it can be special. Mr. Kennedy would win the match but unfortunately, he would drop it not too soon after WWE misinterpreted what was initially branded a severe injury. Edge would eventually have the last laugh as he would win the briefcase and cash it in on the Undertaker to become World Heavyweight Champion.
3. AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler (Money In The Bank 2017)
What I dug about this Money In The Bank ladder match was the series of storylines that were told throughout the match. You had Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn continuing to ruin each other’s lives. Styles and Nakamura had their first physical confrontation without ladders, but just in-ring stuff. Baron Corbin took out Shinsuke before the match and was always being a jerk. Dolph Ziggler was a leech in trying to benefit off of everybody else’s hard work. All of this resulted in a fabulous hard-hitting match and one of the more entertaining matches in the history of the match. Corbin winning would, of course, prove to be a massive failure, as he became one of three superstars to win the MITB contract but not be able to win the championship. Everyone played their role well, nonetheless, and it produced a great match because of it.
2. Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger vs. Dolph Ziggler (Money In The Bank 2014)
This match was basically Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose with four other superstars to fill out the rest of the field, but that didn’t take away from the quality of this match. The storytelling of Dean Ambrose wanting to get his hands on Seth Rollins and foil his hands was what carried the duration of this match as Ambrose and Rollins ruthlessly attacked each other at any point in time where both were climbing for the briefcase, and needless to say, they destroyed each other in the process. However, the other four superstars weren’t any slouches. Perhaps the best spot of the match came when Kofi Kingston did a huge back body drop on Rollins onto a ladder. Swagger and Ziggler also brought a good athletic feel to this match. Seth Rollins was the obvious choice as the winner of this match, but if there’s one thing we can say about this match, a lot of other potential surprise wins were being teased.
1. Edge vs. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. Kane (WrestleMania 21)
If there is one match that I can honestly say always feels fresh and energetic no matter how many times I watch it on the WWE Network, this is it. To this day, the first MITB ladder match ever remains the best of its kind. Why? Because the match was innovative and creative. So often, an issue that a MITB ladder match faces is that too many spots are purposefully set up just to do certain spots instead of feeling natural. Just look at the way Shelton Benjamin, the MVP of this match, was flying all around here. Ladders were set up naturally, and Benjamin’s movements corresponded with that as well. This match also managed to accomplish the little things. There were no slow climbing. Benoit sold an injury from the start of the match all the way to its conclusion which involved him in a tussle with Kane and getting wrecked by Edge.
This one match here revitalized the ladder match concept and gave the WWE their freshest match idea since Hell in a Cell. This was nothing but balls to the wall action and told a hell of a story in place of just crazy ass spots. Benjamin came out looking like a million bucks, Benoit looked like a tough bastard, and Edge shows his first signs of becoming the ultimate opportunist. To this day, no other MITB ladder match has been able to top this masterpiece.
Which MITB ladder match was your favorite? Let me know! Until next time.
