With Money in the Bank 2023 in London weeks away, what better time is there to rank the best Money in the Bank ladder matches in the stipulations history? Sidenote, this includes all the Wrestlemania Money in the Bank Ladder matches but not the other matches on the titular PPV. Check out more wrestling lists here. With that, out of the way, here are the best Money in the Bank Ladder matches ever!
Best Money in the Bank Matches
10. Men’s Match, Money in the Bank 2019
Now I can already hear complaints. So, while the match was the usual ladder carnage that fans have come to expect from Money in the Bank, the ending and winner felt massively deflating. While it was shocking to see Brock Lesnar win the match, just having him come in at the end to take the briefcase of Mustafa Ali was a cheap way out to keep Brock around the main event scene. Questionable booking aside, this match is stuffed with fun spots mostly involving Drew McIntyre. Examples include him slamming Andrade onto Finn Balor onto a ladder, a suplex on Balor to a ladder and him throwing Ricochet out of the ring onto a ladder. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the incredible looking Spanish Fly off the ladder from Mustafa Ali. So while the ending felt uninspiring, the match leading up is well worth seeking out.
9. Women’s Match, Money in the Bank 2021
This may be a controversial pick as your love of this match is dependent on how much you love spooky possessed Alexa Bliss. I say this because a lot of this match is her trying to possess other women in the match to get the briefcase for her. And what happens next? Well she gets buried under a pile of ladders. Naturally this leads to everyone climbing a ladder to try and grab the case at the same time. And despite her lack of any story these days, Nikki A.S.H eventually wins the match in a genuinely lovely moment. I mean it’s a fairly standard match but like the 2019 Women’s match fans of the winner will love this. Or it may remind them about how criminally underutilised both are….
8. Money in the Bank, Wrestlemania 24
Well, this entry is sure to go down well with fans isn’t it? In a week once again dominated by CM Punk discourse let’s look back at a time when the Second City Saint was one of WWE’s hottest rising stars. This the first of two straight Money in the Bank match wins for Punk. And also it’s just a really good match. Case in point, Shelton Benjamin getting sent off the top of the ladder through a ladder on the outside. Other high spots include John Morrison doing a moonsault with a ladder onto his opponents outside the ring, Shelton Benjamin hitting a sunset flip powerbomb off a ladder or the ladder assisted Codebreaker from Jericho onto Punk. Also, the finish is creative as Punk traps Jericho’s legs in the ladder then retrieves the briefcase. Overall, a very solid match,
7. Men’s Match, Money in the Bank 2020
Pandemic wrestling was certainly an interesting experience wasn’t it? And nothing sums this up better than the 2020 Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Or to give it its full title, The climb the corporate ladder match. Because of the pandemic, WWE instead decided to stage a Money in the Bank match in its own HQ. This involves both men and women fighting their way up to a ring with the briefcases on top of the building. This very silly match includes Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles brawling into Vince McMahon’s office, Baron Corbin murdering Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black so badly that the latter became a cult leader in AEW and the interesting ending of Otis catching the briefcase after AJ Styles unhooked it. Much like the period it took place in, this match is pure insanity at times in the best way.
6. Women’s Match, Money in the Bank 2019
While there’s been fewer women’s Money in the Bank matches, that just means the good ones really stand out more. Case in point, the Women’s Match in 2019. And yes, I’m mostly putting this on here for the creativeness in the finish. While if Mandy Rose won now, she’d undoubtedly be a better shout however back in 2019 it seemed odd that she would win. Nevertheless, just as Mandy is about to grab the briefcase on Sonya’s shoulders, Bayley sneaks up and unhooks it. A very creative finish to a pretty solid match. And honestly there’s not much more to say beyond watch this match if you’re a massive Bayley fan.
5. Men’s Match, Money in the Bank 2018
If there’s one match which really shows the carnage and chaos of Money in the Bank, this Match in 2018 is a good example. Mostly because it had 2018 Braun Strowman who was at the height of his popularity. This is demonstrated here as despite a lineup made up almost entirely of former world champions, like Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, The Miz and Bobby Roode, Strowman wins.
Mostly because he murders the other participants like slamming Kevin Owens through an announce table, sending Joe over the top rope and sending both Kofi and Finn off the top of a ladder. Special shout out to Balor who has the spot of the match when he delivers a Coup de Grace from the top of a ladder outside the ring. Honestly, it’s nice to rewatch this match to remind yourself how fun Braun was before his eventual release and re-hiring.
4. Money in the Bank Match, 2014
Ah yes the match which showed how serious WWE were about Seth Rollins as a main eventer. Despite WWE not immediately trying to build for a Shield Triple Threat, this match massively benefits from the emotional rivalry between Rollins and Dean Ambrose. And this plays a massive role in the finish with a perfect metaphor for Ambrose’s WWE career: coming so close yet being so far from top guy status. This is because Kane intervenes for Rollins allowing the Architect to claim the case. Also, there’s plenty of high spots like powerbombs off ladders, RVD delivering Rolling Thunder to Rollins on a ladder and Zig Zags onto ladders. Honestly, if only this match had Roman in it then it could maybe have ranked even higher.
3. Money in the Bank, Wrestlemania 23
Well, this was a wasted opportunity in hindsight. While eventual winner Mr Kennedy unfortunately amounted to nothing in WWE due to outside circumstances, this Money in the Bank Match is a lot of fun. Mostly because it involves Jeff Hardy and ladders so you know there’s going to be an insane spot. But also, the fact that it’s Matt Hardy encouraging his brother to jump off a ladder onto Edge. This is despite him being so close to the win which is wonderful storytelling. Oh, also there’s plenty of other stupid spots like Randy Orton giving CM Punk an RKO off a ladder. Only for Booker T to deliver a Book End to Orton off a ladder. Oh and then there’s Mr Kennedy missing Jeff Hardy and just hitting a ladder. So while post match stuff clouded Kennedy’s victory this is a more than excellent match.
2. Money in the Bank, Wrestlemania 21
And now we come to the first ever Money in the Bank ladder match. On what is a fairly underrated Wrestlemania, WWE produced a blisteringly fun introduction to the stipulation. Highlights include Shelton Benjamin’s soon to be yearly daft spot where he not only runs up a ladder to clothesline Jericho but suplexes Edge off a ladder as well as everybody taking it in turns to leap onto people over the top rope. Yep, even Kane does it because why not it’s Wrestlemania I guess. Also, there’s a terrifying spot of Chris Benoit delivering a diving headbutt off a ladder to Kane. I mean this is a perfect introduction to new fans of the stipulation.
1. Money in the Bank Match, 2016
And perhaps unsurprisingly the best Money in the Bank Match is the 2016 edition. This match stacked with Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, Cesaro, Dean Ambrose, Sami Zayn and noted horrible human being Alberto Del Rio. And it’s got some all time great spots. These include Cesaro jumping off the ladder onto the ropes and delivering a springboard uppercut to Owens and Zayn once again trying to murder Owens with suplexes onto ladders. Oh and the pleasant surprise of Dean Ambrose actually winning a big match in WWE.
Oh, also the fact he cashed in the same night meaning all three members of the Shield held the belt in the same night is a phenomenal move. It also pays off Seth beating Dean in their 2014 feud and sets up the Shield Triple Threat. Honestly, all of this makes the 2016 Money in the Bank Match easily the best of its kind.
You can watch Money in the Bank 2023 both on Peacock and WWE Network. For more information, click here.
