The Money in the Bank PPV is right around the corner. One of the fan favorite’s, including me.
This week i want to take a look at my favorite cash-in moments. The Money in the Bank briefcase was created back in 2005 as an excited, unprecedented way to instantly elevate a superstar and get people talking.
10 years later it’s pro wrestling’s best way to give a championship run to someone who doesn’t deserve it.
#5. CM Punk
Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules, just moments after Hardy had defeated Edge in a brutal ladder match to win the title in the first place.
The move instantly made Punk a heel in many fan’s eyes. He didn’t do anything anyone else hadn’t done before, including Punk himself the year before, but fans of Hardy took it as a personal shot. It looked like CM Punk was about to mirror his first cash-in exactly. He knocked Jeff Hardy in the mouth with a GTS, but the champion kicked out.
The arena filled with cheers. Perhaps the hero would escape this time. Hardy then rolled up Punk, further thrilling the hopeful crowd.
It took another GTS to complete Hardy’s agonizing loss.
#4. Dolph Ziggler
Not since 2006 had WWE crafted such a fine cash-in.
Folks may discount it because Dolph Ziggler followed this moment up with a concussion and a short, disappointing reign as champion. However, it’s tough to top this post-WrestleMania 29 cash-in in terms of drama.
Ziggler had failed again and again in trying to cash in before this but failed.
Credit the frenzied fans rooting for the villain for helping to make this such an electric moment. When The Showoff broke through the curtain, his entourage behind him and his briefcase tight in his grip, the arena filled with thunderous noise.
#3. Rob Van Dam
Van Dam announcing he would face John Cena at One Night Stand makes the cash-in memorable, but not as much as the fans’ reaction to the match. The ECW faithful booed everything Cena did. They backed ECW vet Van Dam like no man trying to cash in has experienced before. Interestingly enough, this was the first and only time that a MITB winner formally cashed in his briefcase, until John Cena did it after he won last year.
#2. Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns WrestleMania 31
On a night full of twists, this might be the biggest twist of them all. It seemed that there was no way they were going to take the belt off of Lesnar after he re-signed with the WWE ahead of the event. During the match, with both Brock and Roman exhausted and indisposed, out runs Seth Rollins. He has been holding the “Money In The Bank” briefcase for a long time, waiting for the opportunity to cash it in.
#1. Edge vs. John Cena, New Year’s Revolution
The original cash-in, and one of the few that permanently elevated a guy to the main event. I say it every chance I get, but I never saw a bad Edge match. It’s going to take perfection to knock the first-ever cash-in off the top spot.
Edge introduced the concept after John Cena had survived an Elimination Chamber match at New Year’s Revolution. The cage lifted, Cena’s blood dripped from his face and his enemy came armed with a new weapon.
The novelty of the concept, the fact that Edge was set to win his first WWE title and the dramatic timing of the cash-in made it thrilling. Cena, already a both loved and hated figure, being the victim only added to that.
Cena kicked out of Edge’s first spear, causing the crowd to erupt.
When The Rated-R Superstar nailed him with another and stole his championship, he had made history. He set the bar impossibly high with the first cash-in.
Dop you disagree?
What was your favourite cash-in moment?
Thanks for reading.
