5 Greatest Money In The Bank Ladder Matches
The annual Money in the Bank Premium Live Event hits the UK for the first time when the O2 Arena in London, England plays host to the titular event.
That show will play host to two Money in the Bank Ladder Matches; a gimmick that debuted two decades ago in 2005 at WrestleMania 21.
This feature looks back at the five greatest Money in the Bank Ladder Matches ever held.
#5 Randy Orton vs Rob Van Dam vs CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan vs Christian vs Sheamus – Money in the Bank (July 14, 2013)
This bout was billed as the “All-Stars” match as it was comprised entirely of former World Champions. Rob Van Dam who had not been part of the roster since 2007 returned in this match-up and looked razor sharp.
The match was fought at a lightning pace and because of the star power, it was feasible that any of the participants could win which added heat every time someone came close to grabbing the briefcase.
The contest had hugely memorable spots, not least RVD’s Frog Splash off a ladder onto Christian. Sheamus also powerbombed Daniel Bryan onto a ladder, which looked brutal.
A story thread saw CM Punk, who had recently returned as a babyface betrayed by Paul Heyman as he ascended the ladder, costing him the match. That set up a blockbuster clash with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam.
Finally, RVD was set to claim the briefcase but was RKO’d off the top of the ladder by Randy Orton who ascended the ladder to win. Orton would cash in on new WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam, which set up their lengthy programme over the belt which would culminate at WrestleMania XXX.
A triumph from an in-ring and story perspective. This Money in the Bank match was a hugely memorable affair.
#4 Dean Ambrose vs Alberto Del Rio vs Cesaro vs Chris Jericho vs Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn – Money in the Bank (June 19, 2016)
The 2016 Money in the Bank Ladder Match was stacked with big name talent who all had a genuine shot at winning.
Chris Jericho and Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were embroiled in their own feuds which spilled over to this match, enhancing the intensity.
In an innovative spot, Cesaro performed his Swing on Jericho into a ladder and Zayn smashed Owens with a pitch perfect Michinoku Driver onto a ladder. Ambrose knocked Owens off a ladder onto another ladder and claimed the briefcase to win.
However, Ambrose’s night was not over. Following Seth Rollins’s victory over Roman Reigns in the main event, ‘The Lunatic Fringe’ cashed in the briefcase and defeated the new champion to win his first (and only) WWE Championship. That meant that all three former Shield members held the WWE Title on the same night.
Ambrose would hold the belt for four months before dropping the strap to AJ Styles.
This match-up was a great Money in the Bank Ladder bout. All of the combatants came close to winning which added to the drama and the excitement of the live crowd.
Fantastic action, terrific drama and perfect storytelling make this contest one of the better Money in the Bank Ladder matches of all time.
#3 Dean Ambrose vs Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs Kofi Kingston vs Rob Van Dam vs Seth Rollins – Money in the Bank (June 29, 2014)
Taking place just weeks after The Shield split, the focus of this Money in the Bank Ladder bout was the feud between former comrades, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.
Kofi Kingston had the opportunity to show off his athletic prowess in a number of impressive spots. Jack Swagger nailed Rob Van Dam with a tremendous powerbomb from the top of the ladder. All of the participants were given a chance to shine.
Ambrose looked set to win but Kane interfered on behalf of Rollins and nailed the ‘Lunatic Fringe’ with a Chokeslam and Tombstone. Rollins then ascended the ladder to claim the briefcase.
A terrific Money in the Bank Ladder match-up. Great storytelling, big spots and all participants were believable winners, which meant the outcome was in doubt until the final moments. Rollins’s win cemented his heel turn and road to the main event and furthered the Rollins/Ambrose feud which would dominate the summer of 2014.
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#2 CM Punk vs Mr. Kennedy vs Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy vs Edge vs Randy Orton vs King Booker vs Finlay – WrestleMania 23 (April 3, 2007)
The third annual Money in the Bank Ladder Match was a tour de force. It was also packed with star talent. Former World Champions, Edge, Randy Orton and King Booker featured in the field.
The match began at an electric pace with all eight men brawling in and around the ring. Edge busted CM Punk the hard way by smashing him in the face with a step ladder.
Edge nailed all seven competitors (including his pal, Orton which was the beginning of the end for their partnership) with his patented Spear and looked set to repeat his 2005 win. However, his night was brought to a premature end when the Hardyz positioned him on a horizontal ladder across the ring apron and barricade. Jeff Hardy ascended a scarily high ladder and nailed Edge with a leg drop snapping Edge and the ladder in half. This was the first time WWE had performed that spot and it looked brutal.
Orton battered the remaining field with RKOs and looked set to win before he was nailed by Booker T. In a comedy spot, Kennedy hit Hornswoggle with the Green Bay Plunge off the ladder. In the climax, Kennedy and Punk battled atop the ladder, before Kennedy won the exchange and claimed the briefcase. Unfortunately, injury derailed his push and he was forced to relinquish the briefcase just a few weeks later.
Breathless, fast paced, heated and packed full of big moves and memorable moments. This bout had it all. A near perfect match and it has only been bettered by one Money in the Bank Ladder match-up.
#1 Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit vs Christian vs Shelton Benjamin vs Edge vs Kane – WrestleMania 21 (April 3, 2005)
The inaugural Money in the Bank Ladder Match remains the finest ever held. The match was packed full of innovative spots, some never seen before in WWE. Shelton Benjamin was the star of the show with his jaw dropping athleticism.
Highlights were Benjamin’s T-Bone suplex off the top of the ladder to Edge and when he ran up a ladder laid out diagonally to clothesline Chris Jericho off the top.
The focal story of the bout was Kane injuring Chris Benoit’s arm by placing it between a ladder and ramming it repeatedly. A one armed Benoit looked set to win after he had taken out the field. Kane attempted to climb the ladder and after some back and forth struggling, ‘The Crippler’ managed to headbutt Kane to the mat. As he reached for the briefcase, an opportunistic Edge drilled Benoit’s injured arm with a chair and ascended the ladder and successfully snared the briefcase.
Edge’s win propelled him to the main event and he would win the WWE Championship from John Cena the following January.
Innovative, brutal with superb action and selling and excellent storytelling, the first ever Money in the Bank contest had everything. An all time classic and the finest Money in the Bank Ladder Match ever held.
You can watch Money in the Bank 2023 and all Money in the Bank Ladder Matches exclusively on the WWE Network.