10 WWE Money In The Bank Winners & Their King Of The Ring Counterparts
5. Dolph Ziggler (2013) & Hunter Hearst Helmsley (1997)
Originally penciled in to win the 1996 King Of The Ring, Hunter Hearst Helmsley had showed signs of greatness upon his debut and WWE was prepared to reward the newcomer not only with the crown but with a main event run against real-life friend and reigning WWE Champion Shawn Michaels.
Instead, Hunter was left holding the bag for the infamous MSG Curtain Call incident and plans for the rest of 1996 were altered drastically.
Hunter survived the year and was crowned king in 1997, but he remained in the mid-card for the next couple years despite his role in forming the D-Generation X faction.
Similarly, Ziggler was an extremely talented athlete whom WWE pegged as a potential headliner, leading to him winning Money In The Bank in 2013. In addition to forming his own stable with AJ Lee and Big E Langston, Ziggler successfully utilised the briefcase the night after WrestleMania XXIX.
Unfortunately, a concussion suffered at the hands (or feet?) of Jack Swagger cost him the title and his potential spot on top.
Both Helmsley and Ziggler saw their opportunities pulled from their grasp due to factors beyond their control. Neither men let their misfortunes derail them and achieved success but primarily in the mid-card for the immediate future.