Making the Case for Every Money in the Bank Entrant

Unlike the past Money in the Bank matches, each contest on Sunday will have eight competitors rather than six.  That means the results may also be a little more unpredictable.  I think more entrants have a realistic shot at grabbing the briefcase than we realize.

Braun Strowman

Braun having the briefcase would bode the best in terms of odds for a successful cash-in.  His music would likely provide the biggest pop and potentially the best moment.  If Roman never gets the belt off of Brock, a cash-in from the monster could end yet another Lesnar title reign.

Kevin Owens

History has shown that briefcases best serve the heels on the roster.  Kevin Owens also works best with mic time and a high-profile storyline.  It’s a perfect marriage.  We saw on Monday that he can be the highlight of a segment or a match when given the opportunity.  He’s not my clear favorite but I wouldn’t be surprised if KO comes out on top Sunday.

Bobby Roode

Fans still love his entrance music but you can’t rely on solely that to move to the next level.  When Roode was in NXT, I could imagine him as the future WWE Champion.  However, his babyface run on the main roster has left him at a dead-end so a heel turn could certainly refill his tank.  If he wins the briefcase, it would be wise to pull the turn immediately after.

Finn Balor

His match with Braun Strowman on Raw a couple weeks ago proved that he belongs in the main event picture.  After failing to capture the Intercontinental Title, fans wanted him to be Brock’s next challenger.  Even with subpar booking, we haven’t abandoned him.  That briefcase could propel him to the next level and help him reclaim the belt he never lost.  After Roman was defeated by Finn to qualify for the Universal Title back in 2016, he said he wanted Balor one more time.  Because of Finn’s untimely injury, we never got to establish that potential feud.

The New Day

I struggled with this one.  Xavier Woods is who I want to see seize the spotlight in the ladder match but he’s the only guy I can’t imagine with the briefcase.  Kofi Kingston has had the most chances to break into the world title picture but it’s always alluded him.  I hope he captures it before the end of his career but I have plans to expand on that in a future article.  Big E makes the most sense to enter the match and to hold the case between the three members.  He checks all the boxes and has already proven back in NXT that he can hold the top prize.

Samoa Joe

Speaking of checking all the boxes, Joe is near the top when it comes to promo believability and being a physical threat.  If it’s not Nakamura or Daniel Bryan, I think Joe is next in the pecking order to challenge AJ.

Rusev

He’s had the most over gimmick of 2018.  Maybe Vince will finally reward one of the most charismatic guys on the roster.  Rusev has been one step away from that big shot for several years now.

The Miz

This is my pick to win the whole thing.  All the creative power needs to be put into a Miz/Daniel Bryan feud before the fans lose interest.  With a second win over Big Cass, Daniel Bryan could be next to challenge for the WWE Championship.  The Miz cashing in on Bryan would work wonders for both guys and the story could keep going for months.  There’s also a Last Man Standing match on Sunday.  Styles and Nakamura will likely be in pieces by the end of that match so maybe we’ll see the MITB winner take advantage.

Natalya

As the old trope goes, since Nattie won the fatal four way on Raw, her chances for Sunday are looking slim.  If Ronda takes the belt off of Nia, I think the chances for Natalya winning and turning on her friend would grow considerably.  Her best matches resulted from her and Charlotte trading submissions in the middle of the ring.  Maybe we see the same against Ronda.

Alexa Bliss

Since she was the last Raw Women’s Champion, a lot of people have moved her to the back of the line.  However, I see her in the same position as Kevin Owens.  Both management and the fans have always been high on her and trust her in prominent roles.  If Ronda becomes Champion, I think Vince would prefer her to lose the belt on a quick cash-in rather than a clean pin.  When I think of who would be most likely to do that, Alexa comes to mind.

Sasha Banks

Like Alexa, we shouldn’t count her out.  She hasn’t had a feud for the title in over a year so the briefcase could help get her back there.  My guess is that she feuds with Bayley until Summerslam.  When that door closes, the case could easily help transition her to bigger things.  We saw it with Seth Rollins.  He lost his match to Randy Orton at Wrestlemania but look how that turned out.

Ember Moon

The Money in the Bank briefcase is typically awarded to the superstar with the most chance for potential.  Ember has the largest room for growth out of all 16 entrants.  However, I think she is still too new to the casual fans.  She hasn’t even gotten to sink her teeth into any sort of rivalry yet.  If Ruby Riot was in the match, she would have been my pick.  She has the potential and has been on the roster just a tad longer.

Charlotte

At the top of the mountain just a couple months ago, I have the hardest time imagining Charlotte as the winner.  I can’t see her revisiting her feud with Carmella or Asuka so soon.  Cashing-in also doesn’t seem like her style.  Charlotte has established herself as  someone that settles everything in the ring.  If she were to win, I don’t think a cash-in would come until a heel turn or for many months.

Becky Lynch

The darling of the division.  We all just want her to succeed so much.  When the entrants were finally decided, she seemed like the obvious pick.  Becky hasn’t has much success since her first run with the title.  Unfortunately, I can’t imagine someone cashing-in on Brock or Roman for a second time, so a Smackdown men’s competitor will win that briefcase.

I also can’t imagine both briefcases going to the same brand. By that logic, I’m not predicting a Smackdown woman to win.  But if I’m picking with my heart, Becky is my choice.

Naomi

This is a tricky one too.  She was given two big Wrestlemania moments the last couple years so that means they’re high on her.  That could also mean that her fortune is likely going to change soon.  All the glory can’t go to one superstar.  I view her the same as Charlotte: if she captures the case, a heel turn might have to occur eventually.

Lana

My dark horse.  We all want to count her out because it’s Lana but she’s in the same spot Carmella was in last year.  She isn’t the most physically imposing competitor but winning could enhance her development and heat the most.  Lana potentially cashing-in on Asuka definitely produces the highest shock value.