10 Best WWE Money In The Bank PPV Matches (That Aren't MITB)

In the aftermath of his loss to Sheamus at Mania 28, Daniel Bryan embarked on a run of brilliant PPV matches that summer, with a 2-out-of-3 Falls classic with Sheamus at Extreme Rules being amongst the best WWE matches of 2012.

He also had two standouts with CM Punk at Over the Limit and Money in the Bank. Both men had become masters of carrying lesser opponents by utilising their limitations in the layout of their matches. Given 25 minutes to wrestle however they want, with no disqualifications and a compelling narrative, they delivered completely.

Even before the weapons came out, the violence was extreme, Bryan eviscerating Punk with sadistic kicks and slaps, Punk retaliating with some of the strongest strikes he ever delivered. The counters are immaculate, with a pinning combination counter from the GTS from Bryan standing out. Both men combined their independent wrestling experience with fantastic melodrama.

AJ Lee being the special referee added considerable conflict, with the potential for her costing either man seeming possible. There’s a particularly gnarly kendo stick Yes Lock sequence near the end, the way Bryan cranks Punk’s neck back is sickening. By the time Punk won after slamming Bryan and himself through a table, it was clear that both men had surpassed expectations.