Best Cashes in the Bank in WWE History

The guaranteed world title opportunity at any time granted through holding the Money in the Bank contract is one of the WWEthe best inventions of the last 20 years. The concept was first introduced in 2005 when Edge captured the first briefcase and has been a company staple ever since.

For the most part, the gimmick was handled well, allowing for memorable moments when the superstars win the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and later use it to cash in and win a world title. This stipulation was also effective, as 81% of men who used it were successful in their cash-out match, while the women’s version had a 100% success rate.

Tiffany Stratton’s recent triumph to win her first main team women’s title once again demonstrated the effectiveness of the Money in the Bank contract, providing a best-in-class cash-in moment. Several major wins throughout WWE’s recent history prove to be a great way to show how effective the stipulation has become as a unique storyline maker in the company.

5

Edge on John Cena, New Year’s Revolution 2006

“The ultimate opportunist” was the epitome of money in the bank holder

• Edge became the first holder of the Money in the Bank contract, winning it at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.
• He held the contract for 280 days before taking advantage of John Cena in New Year’s Revolution in 2006.
• This would be the first of 11 world title reigns for Edge in WWE

Looking back at the initial use of the Money in the Bank contract, it shows how important Edge’s run was in establishing the stipulation as being one that WWE could use for years to come. The “Rated-R Superstar” captured the briefcase in the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania 21, holding the 280 contract before cashing in on John Cena to become WWE Champion at New Year’s Revolution in 2006.

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Edge picked the perfect time to take advantage of Cena, as the WWE Champion was coming off a grueling Elimination Chamber Match that left him completely vulnerable to “The Ultimate Opportunist.” WWE well established the Money in the Bank gimmick during Edge’s first run with the briefcase, culminating in dramatic fashion that catapulted Edge into the main event.

4

Rob Van Dam on John Cena, ECW: One-Night Stand 2006

RVD picked his spot and won the WWE Championship in a big moment

• Rob Van Dam became the second man to win the Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 22 in 2006.
• He took advantage of his opportunity ahead of time by deciding to face John Cena at ECW: One Night Stand that same year.
• RVD won his only world title in WWE, but lost it shortly after due to his arrest for drug possession.

Following Edge as the second holder of the Money in the Bank contract, WWE decided to take a different but equally effective route with the Rob Van Dam opportunity. The former ECW star was a babyface, so RVD had to take a more valiant approach when he decided to take advantage of his opportunity against John Cena at One-Night Stand in 2006.

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The support for RVD that night effectively painted John Cena as the ditzy heel, making “The Whole Dam Show”‘s WWE Championship win an all-time great wrestling moment. The cash collection only dwindled after the fact when RVD quickly lost the title after being arrested for marijuana possession.

3

Tiffany Stratton on Nia Jax, SmackDown 2025

Stratton recently used his money in the bank coup to dethrone his former ally

• Tiffany Stratton is the most recent person to cash in last week on SmackDown.
• Stratton used her Money in the Bank opportunity to dethrone Nia Jax as WWE Women’s Champion.
• Jax and Tiffany had been uneasy allies for some time before the cash-in.

The most recent example of a Money in the Bank title executed to perfection is Tiffany Stratton’s betrayal and triumph over Nia Jax. Stratton was able to win the WWE Women’s Championship after convincing Jax to climb up to the middle turnbuckle, only to hit her in the back and have Bianca Belair deliver a KOD to the former champion.

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After Tiffany disposed of Belair and Candice LaRae, she was free to deliver a Moonsault to Jax to win his first main event title, delivering months of storyline development between Jax and Stratton. The former NXT Women’s Champion is hoping to have a significant reign on the main roster heading into WrestleMania season, having a perfect start to life with the belt after a great cash-in.

2

Dolph Ziggler on Alberto Del Rio, Raw 2013

Money in Ziggler’s Cash-In Bank Got the Best Crowd Reaction

• Dolph Ziggler secured the guaranteed Money in the Bank title by winning the titular match in 2012.
• He cashed in his Money in the Bank shot on Alberto Del RIo the night after WrestleMania 29 in 2013.
• This would be Ziggler’s second and final world title reign in WWE.

Money in the Bank contracts are designed, first and foremost, to deliver a huge moment that will help a burgeoning star finally reach the next level. Dolph Ziggler’s cash on Alberto Del Rio to win the World Heavyweight Championship certainly tapped into the gimmick’s potential, creating one of the biggest pops in WWE history in 2013.

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The night after WrestleMania 29, Ziggler, who had held the contract for 267 days, cashed in on an exhausted Del Rio following a raucous reaction, in part due to the lack of enthusiasm from the rest of WWE during this time. This was certainly the highlight of Dolph’s WWE career and the best use of a Money in the Bank cash-in for a one-night crowd reaction that has yet to be matched.

1

Seth Rollins on Brock Lesnar, WrestleMania 31

‘The Architect’ stopped Roman Reigns from winning the WWE Title

• The planned main event of WrestleMania 31 saw Brock Lesnar face Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship.
• Seth Rolins had competed earlier in the evening in a loss to Randy Orton.
• Rollins used his Money in the Bank shot to insert himself into the main event, winning the WWE Title.

“The Heist of the Century” remains a significant moment in recent WWE history, with Seth Rollins interrupting the WWE Championship match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar to walk away with the title himself at WrestleMania 31. Rollins takes the upper hand on its old Shield. brother and “The Beast Incarnate” delivered a memorable ending to the event that is still fondly remembered as one of the best WrestleManias in recent memory.

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Rollins interrupting the match between the two biggest opponents also carried some risk, as he could have simply waited for them to finish their match before attacking the winner. “The Architect” chose to concede midway through the match, which only added to the drama, making the eventual title victory even more satisfying.