100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)
75. Money In The Bank (WrestleMania 21)
The first Money In The Bank ladder match felt like a revolutionary concept back in 2005. No less than six wrestlers would fight to haul down a briefcase containing a contract that'd guarantee them a World Title shot at any point over the following year. WWE had found their latest star-making vehicle, but none of that would matter to fans if the initial bout stunk WrestleMania 21 out.
It didn't. MITB wouldn't be here otherwise.
Chris Jericho (who had reportedly been part of the match type's brain trust alongside writer Brian Gewirtz), Chris Benoit, Edge, Kane, Shelton Benjamin and Christian all worked hard to make sure the new gimmick landed the way WWE wanted it to. Also, what a lineup of workers - Jericho, Benoit, Edge, Shelton and Christian all had previous when it came to inventive spots in ladder matches.
Toss Kane into the mix as a powerful wildcard and people were keen to see what might happen. Everyone had a realistic shot at winning the thing, and it really felt like fans were going into the unknown by watching WWE conceptualise a year long number one contendership that could be "cashed in" at any time. MITB proved so successful that it's still hanging around today.
Stunning bumps, some big stars who were as athletic as they come, and Edge taking a huge step towards main event immortality made this one of those bangers folks talk about. Subsequent MITB ladder matches have bashed fans over the head with more of the same, but you never forget your first!