The Money In the Bank Premium Live Event (PLE) is a showcase of potential and ambition, where superstars strive to elevate their careers with a chance to win the coveted briefcase. Securing this briefcase entails a guaranteed shot at any WWE championship, with the added advantage of up to one year to cash in the contract!
The element of surprise that accompanies a cash-in attempt adds an exhilarating layer to the storyline. A briefcase holder can choose any moment to challenge the champion—be it during a match, a promo segment, or unexpectedly on an ordinary night. If the champion is caught off guard, the opportunity to seize victory becomes tantalizingly close.
However, not every cash-in is successful; champions can thwart these attempts, potentially derailing the Money In the Bank winner’s plans. This article will delve into each Money In the Bank winner, unpack their cash-in attempts, and evaluate whether these moments became memorable highlights or dismal failures.
26 John Cena
Money In The Bank (2012)
| Days Held | 8 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | CM Punk (Failed) |
| Cagematch Rating | 6.23/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | ***3/4 |
During the 2012 PLE, WWE opted for two Money In the Bank ladder matches in one night. The Raw match featured just five participants, while SmackDown had eight—a disparity that led to a rather lackluster showing. Many fans groaned at John Cena’s eventual victory, primarily because the competition included well-known wrestlers like Chris Jericho, The Miz, Big Show, and Kane, none of whom inspired much excitement at the time.
Interestingly, Cena’s win became memorable due to the fashion in which it occurred; he inadvertently dislodged the briefcase while using it to strike Big Show. However, his cash-in on CM Punk was ultimately unsuccessful, thwarted by Big Show causing a disqualification.
25 Sheamus
Money In The Bank (2015)
| Days Held | 161 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | Roman Reigns (Successful) |
| Cagematch Rating | 6.43/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | ***1/2 |
When Sheamus claimed victory in the 2015 Money In the Bank match, reactions were mixed; while it wasn’t entirely unwelcome, the presence of fan-favorites like Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, and Neville created an atmosphere ripe for a surprising twist that never materialized.
Fans likely anticipated a different winner, especially since Sheamus was already a two-time WWE Champion at the time. Interestingly, Sheamus later chose to cash in on Roman Reigns, who had just captured the WWE Championship at Survivor Series, delivering a decisive blow that led to a swift victory.
24 Jack Swagger
WrestleMania XXVI (2010)
| Days Held | 5 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | Chris Jericho (Successful) |
| Cagematch Rating | 6.49/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | ***3/4 |
The Money In the Bank match held at WrestleMania 26 marked a pivotal moment, as it was the last time this match format graced the grand stage. Unfortunately, Jack Swagger’s win was largely overshadowed by a general apathy toward his character and performance. Despite the WWE’s efforts to elevate Swagger, including a significant push, he ultimately failed to resonate with the audience.
Swagger’s cash-in on Chris Jericho might have demonstrated some potential, yet it was met with a muted crowd response, reflecting the sentiment that his title reign was rather forgettable.
23 Otis
Money In The Bank (2020)
| Days Held | 193 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | N/A – Lost contract to The Miz |
| Cagematch Rating | 6.52/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | No rating |
While Otis’s victory in the 2020 Money In the Bank match may seem memorable, it was ultimately marred by the fact that he never capitalized on his opportunity. Instead of a thrilling cash-in, he lost the briefcase to The Miz after a lengthy 193 days.
This outcome illustrates the rare instances where the briefcase can be contested. Unfortunately, Otis’s time as a potential world champion ended prematurely, and The Miz later became a two-time Money In The Bank winner, claiming victory over Drew McIntyre but soon losing it to Bobby Lashley.
22 Austin Theory
Money In The Bank (2022)
| Days Held | 128 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | Seth Rollins (Failed) |
| Cagematch Rating | 6.79/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | ****1/4 |
In 2022, Austin Theory emerged victorious in the Money In The Bank match, highlighting his status as an emerging talent with potential. Despite defeating high-profile competitors like Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre, Theory’s cash-in attempt would not yield success.
Instead of targeting one of the world champions, Theory made the puzzling decision to challenge Seth Rollins for the United States Championship, culminating in a humiliating defeat that has echoed through his career into 2025.
21 Dolph Ziggler
Money In The Bank (2012)
| Days Held | 267 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | Alberto Del Rio (Successful) |
| Cagematch Rating | 7.27/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | **** |
Dolph Ziggler’s win at the 2012 Money In The Bank match was highly celebrated, resulting in one of the loudest crowd reactions in recent WWE history. After years of dedicated support from fans, Ziggler’s success resonated deeply.
When he cashed in on Alberto Del Rio, the excitement in the arena reached a fever pitch as he eventually triumphed with his iconic Zig-Zag move, clinching the championship and fulfilling the dreams of his supporters.
20 Drew McIntyre
Money In The Bank (2024)
| Days Held | >1 Day |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | Damian Priest (Failed) |
| Cagematch Rating | 7.46/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | **** |
The 2024 Money In The Bank match was touted for its impressive lineup, with Drew McIntyre ultimately taking home the briefcase. However, what followed was a regrettable cash-in on the same night that felt more like a missed opportunity than a triumphant moment.
Even with an advantageous position, McIntyre was thwarted by CM Punk’s timely intervention, resulting in an unsuccessful cash-in attempt that left fans disappointed.
19 Seth Rollins
Money In The Bank (2025)
| Days Held | Currently holding |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | N/A |
| Cagematch Rating | 7.50/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | ****1/2 |
Seth Rollins achieved a significant milestone by winning his second Money In The Bank briefcase, a rare distinction he shares only with CM Punk. However, this victory was met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom had anticipated LA Knight as the favorite.
Nonetheless, Rollins’s reign as champion is likely to gain momentum, mirroring the dynamic approach of legends like Triple H during his evolution in WWE, thus creating heightened anticipation for a potential cash-in in the future.
18 Braun Strowman
Money In The Bank (2018)
| Days Held | 70 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | Roman Reigns (Failed) |
| Cagematch Rating | 7.50/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | ****1/4 |
Braun Strowman is a figure beloved by fans due to his imposing stature and charismatic persona. However, his Money In The Bank victory remains controversial. Given the depth of talent in the match, many believed that selecting Strowman over competitors like Kevin Owens or Rusev was ill-advised.
The stakes of his cash-in attempt against Roman Reigns were equally underwhelming, leading to a no-contest finish when Brock Lesnar intervened, ultimately making his win unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
17 Alberto Del Rio
Money In The Bank (2011)
| Days Held | 28 Days |
|---|---|
| Cashed In On | CM Punk (Successful) |
| Cagematch Rating | 7.52/10 |
| Meltzer Rating | ***3/4 |
Alberto Del Rio’s Money In The Bank win is often viewed as underwhelming, though the match itself showcased some thrilling moments courtesy of competitors like Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston. However, the crowd’s enthusiasm rarely matched the push behind Del Rio, which included a grand entrance and personal ring announcer.
Del Rio’s successful cash-in saw him dethroning CM Punk, yet it barely made a lasting impact on audiences. His championship reign failed to resonate, and for many, it marked a forgettable moment in WWE history.
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