10 Best Money In The Bank PPV Matches

6. Randy Orton Vs. Christian (2011)

CM Punk John Cena
WWE.com

Under-appreciated in its own time due to the mammoth ramifications of a milestone main event (more on that later), the finest chapter of one of 2011's best rivalries went largely ignored in the build-up to the show until the wrestlers themselves threatened to steal it on the night.

Dripping with nuance ahead of Randy being left dripping in his opponent's spittle, the contest played to the strengths of their rivalry up to that point. Christian persistently aimed to unnerve Orton enough to get himself disqualified - a ruling that in this case would cost 'The Viper' the prize he'd cleanly defeated 'Captain Charisma' for just two nights after the multi-time tag team champion got his hands on it.

After rejecting a the use of a steel chair and other shortcuts, it was the challenger's gross gobbing right between the eyes that triggered the darkest side of the Champion - 'The Apex Predator' snapped with a flurry of punches and hoof to C's B's in a tantrum that cost him his title.

The match had - up to that point - been a minor technical classic with callbacks and references to tiny character details and reference points from the feud. The subtlety within the body of the contest lay in perfect contrast to the outlandish sh*tkicking Orton delivered at the climax.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett