10 Best WWE Money In The Bank PPV Matches (That Aren't MITB)
Proof, if ever it were needed, that MITB doesn't need ladders to be awesome.
With the exception of a few matches and moments, WWE's Money in the Bank pay-per-view is defined by the titular ladder match(es). The crowning of new potential main-eventers, the high-octane action, the breathtaking spots that defy conventional expectations of what a human body can take, and the unpredictability that truly anyone could walk away with the briefcase.
While much of the build to MITB 2020 will be devoted to the particular stunts that mesmerised and the crowning accomplishments of the briefcase holders etc, this list is focused on the rest of those cards.
Over the last 10 years, WWE's most important B-show has been subject to an assortment of underrated and classic WWE matches, with World Championsgetting ample opportunity to show their skillsets, long-term feuds paid off or continued in dramatic fashion, or creating moments that would define a generation of professional wrestling.
Though everything on these shows isn't gold, the good outstrips the bad, meaning Money in the Bank is usually a worthwhile endeavour. Hopefully this list will bring back pleasant memories of matches you've forgotten about, or create the desire to discover something new that could really make your day...
10. Mark Henry Vs. John Cena - Money In The Bank 2013
One of the most acclaimed promos of the 2010s was Mark Henry's 2013 fake retirement promo on Raw.
In the infamous salmon-coloured jacket, Henry made an emotional speech about the longevity of his career and that he was coming home to raise his children after years on the road. Right at the end of his speech, he swerved the audience and WWE Champion John Cena by hitting him with the World's Strongest Slam, saying he's still got more left in the tank and setting up a match with Cena to try and win his first WWE Championship.
While the match isn’t as breathtaking as the promo, their Money in the Bank battle told a very simple powerful narrative in a captivating way.
Henry's size is too considerable for Cena to hit the AA so Cena spends most of the match attempting to survive and channel his adrenaline into hitting the move properly. Henry knows his best bet is to use his weight advantage to knock the wind out of Cena for a World's Strongest Slam. This pays off when both men hit their finishers and are unsuccessful. Instead of them spamming their moves, they decide to conserve their energy and go for new strategies. Henry resorts to cheating which ends up backfiring on him, and Cena realises that his power isn't enough so relies on his submissions for the victory.