Money in the Bank ladder match

This article is about the professional wrestling match. For the song by Lil Scrappy, see Money in the Bank (song).

The Money in the Bank ladder match is a six-man ladder match exclusive to World Wrestling Entertainment with the premise of the winner receiving a contract for a match for the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight or ECW World Championship at a time and place of their choosing within one year of winning the match. The Money in the Bank ladder match has been held at WrestleMania since its inception at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.

In the same way that championships are represented by title belts, the "Money in the Bank" is represented by a briefcase carried by the winner supposedly containing the contract which is to be cashed in for the title match.

Before the contract is cashed in, it can be defended in matches (ladder or not) in the same way a championship would be.

History

2005

Edge (right) as Mr. Money-In-The-Bank 2005, holding the contract briefcase

The "Money in the Bank" match was (kayfabe) introduced by Chris Jericho in early 2005. He announced the idea on an episode of RAW and General Manager Eric Bischoff signed it for WrestleMania 21, naming Chris Jericho, Christian, Chris Benoit, Edge, Kane, and Shelton Benjamin as the participants. The winner of the match would be the person who ascended the ladder and unlatched a hanging briefcase containing the contract.

Edge won the match, then carried and used the briefcase as a weapon for the next nine months -- including once putting it on the line against Matt Hardy at WWE Homecoming, in a match where the loser had to leave RAW. During his time in possession of the contract he was known on-screen as "Mr. Money in the Bank."

Edge cashed in his the contract at the January 2006 New Year's Revolution, defeating WWE Champion John Cena in less than two minutes just after Cena had retained his title against five opponents in an Elimination Chamber match.

2006

The "Money in the Bank" idea was revived by Carlito on a February 2006 episode of RAW. Mr. McMahon approved the suggestion and set up "qualifying matches" for the match that would take place at WrestleMania 22. It was later announced that the match was to be "interpromotional" and that SmackDown! brand General Manager Theodore Long would also set up "qualifying matches" to select three members of his roster to compete.

In the RAW brand qualifying matches; Rob Van Dam defeated Trevor Murdoch, Shelton Benjamin defeated Chavo Guerrero, and Ric Flair defeated Carlito. On SmackDown! Finlay defeated Bobby Lashley, and Matt Hardy defeated The Road Warrior. Lashley, however, was able to get into the match by winning a "Last Chance Battle Royal".

File:Rob van dam 3.jpg

Rob Van Dam as Mr. Money-In-The-Bank 2006

Rob Van Dam won the WrestleMania 22 "Money in the Bank" ladder match after pushing Benjamin and Hardy off of a ladder, while he was on another ladder, and retrieving the briefcase. That April, he defended the contract and won the Intercontinental title in a "contract vs title" match with Shelton Benjamin at Backlash. This match was the first match in which the Money in the Bank contract would not be contested in a ladder match.

Rob Van Dam cashed in his contract at One Night Stand, defeating John Cena to win the WWE Championship. The match ended with Cena losing to Rob Van Dam after Edge, the #1 contender to the title, interfered on behalf of Van Dam and speared Cena through a table. RVD then hit the Five-Star Frog Splash and Paul Heyman counted the pinfall.

2007

The third "Money in the Bank" is scheduled for WrestleMania 23. Qualifying matches began on the February 19 episode of RAW. Thus far Edge has pinned Rob Van Dam, CM Punk pinned Johnny Nitro, King Booker pinned Kane to qualify for the match. Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, and another ECW superstar are expected to be also involved.

Match history

Official Money In The Bank Ladder Matches

• Edge defeated Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Benoit, Christian (w/Tyson Tomko) and Kane (15:17) at WrestleMania 21
  • Edge won by climbing a ladder and retrieving the briefcase hanging above the ring after hitting Benoit with a steel chair.

• Rob Van Dam defeated Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Finlay, Matt Hardy and Bobby Lashley (12:21) at WrestleMania 22
  • Van Dam won by climbing a ladder and taking possession of the briefcase hanging above the ring.
• Edge vs. CM Punk vs. King Booker or Kane vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA at WrestleMania 23.

Official cashed in Money in the Bank matches

• Edge defeated John Cena (c) to win the WWE Championship at New Year's Revolution.
• Rob Van Dam defeated John Cena (c) to win the WWE Championship at ECW One Night Stand.

Money in the Bank defenses

Along with the official Money in the Bank ladder matches that have taken place at WrestleMania, there have been matches in which the current holder of the Money in the Bank contract has placed their championship shot on the line against an opponent. The Money in the Bank contract hasn't changed hands in a defense to date.

• Edge (w/ Lita) (MitB holder) defeated Matt Hardy at WWE Homecoming in a Ladder match.
  • This match was also a "Loser Leaves RAW" match and saw Matt Hardy get sent to SmackDown!.
• Rob Van Dam (MitB holder) defeated Shelton Benjamin at Backlash.
  • This match also had Benjamin's Intercontinental Championship on the line. Van Dam won the match, retaining his MitB and winning the IC Championship.

Trivia

• Shelton Benjamin is the only wrestler to have competed in all MitB matches to date.
• Both MitB winners have beaten John Cena for the WWE Championship.
• Neither of the MitB winners had previously held a World Title prior to cashing in their title match.
• Edge held the briefcase for 9 months before cashing it in.
• RVD held the briefcase for 2 months before cashing it in.
• Shelton Benjamin held the Intercontinetal Championship in both MitB matches he participated in.
• After cashing in their MitB contracts and defeating John Cena for the WWE Championship, both Edge and Rob Van Dam had their subsequent title reign last just under one month.

External links

• WWE Wrestlemania 22 MITB Ladder Match Results