"Money in the Bank" redirects here. For the song by Lil Scrappy, see Money in the Bank (song).

The Money in the Bank ladder match is a ladder match exclusive to World Wrestling Entertainment with the premise of the winner receiving a contract for a match for the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight or ECW World Championship at a time and place of their choosing within one year of winning the match. The Money in the Bank ladder match has been held at WrestleMania since its inception at WrestleMania 21. The 2005 and 2006 Money in the Bank ladder matches featured six participants. For the 2007 match, the field was increased to eight participants.

In the same way that championships are represented by title belts, the "Money in the Bank" is represented by a briefcase supposedly containing the contract which is to be cashed in for the title match. The briefcase is suspended as the standard in an otherwise typical ladder match. The winner holds onto the briefcase until they cash their title shot in, and typically brings it with them to subsequent matches, sometimes using it as a weapon.

Before the contract is cashed in, it can be defended in matches (ladder or not) in the same way a championship would be.

History

2005

The idea for the "Money in the Bank" match was introduced in early 2005 by Chris Jericho. He announced the idea on an episode of RAW and General Manager Eric Bischoff signed it for WrestleMania 21, naming Chris Jericho, Christian, Chris Benoit, Edge, Kane, and Shelton Benjamin as the participants.

Edge won the match, then carried and used the briefcase as a weapon for the next nine months -- including once putting it on the line against Matt Hardy at WWE Homecoming, in a match where the loser had to leave RAW. During his time in possession of the contract, he was known on-screen as "Mr. Money in the Bank."

Edge cashed in his contract in January at New Year's Revolution 2006, where he defeated WWE Champion John Cena in less than two minutes just after Cena had retained his title against five opponents in an Elimination Chamber match.

2006

The "Money in the Bank" idea was revived by Carlito on a February 2006 episode of RAW. Mr. McMahon approved the suggestion and set up "qualifying matches" for the match that would take place at WrestleMania 22. It was later announced that the match was to be "interpromotional," and SmackDown!'s General Manager Theodore Long also set up "qualifying matches" to select three members of his roster to compete.

In the RAW brand qualifying matches, Rob Van Dam defeated Trevor Murdoch, Shelton Benjamin defeated Chavo Guerrero, and Ric Flair defeated Carlito. On SmackDown!, Finlay defeated Bobby Lashley, Matt Hardy defeated The Road Warrior, and Lashley won a "last chance battle royal."

Rob Van Dam won the WrestleMania 22 "Money in the Bank" ladder match after pushing Benjamin and Hardy off of a ladder, while he was on another ladder, and retrieving the briefcase. That April, he defended the contract and won the Intercontinental title in a "contract vs title" match against Shelton Benjamin at Backlash 2006. This was the first match in which the Money in the Bank contract would not be contested in a ladder match.

Rob Van Dam cashed in his contract at One Night Stand 2006 by defeating John Cena to win the WWE Championship. The match ended with Cena losing after Edge, the #1 contender to the title, interfered on behalf of Van Dam and speared Cena through a table. RVD then hit the Five-Star Frog Splash and Paul Heyman counted the pinfall.

2007

The third Money in the Bank Ladder match was held at WrestleMania 23, and was the first to feature eight participants from RAW, SmackDown!, and ECW. Qualifying matches began on the February 19 episode of RAW.

In the qualifying matches; Edge defeated Rob Van Dam, CM Punk defeated Johnny Nitro, King Booker defeated Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere match, Jeff Hardy defeated Shelton Benjamin, Mr. Kennedy defeated Sabu in an Extreme Rules match, Matt Hardy defeated Joey Mercury, Finlay defeated Chris Benoit and Montel Vontavious Porter in a Triple Threat match, and Randy Orton defeated Carlito and Ric Flair in a Triple Threat Elimination match. Edge was then taken out of the match (as punishment by Vince McMahon), but regained his spot by winning a ten man "last chance battle royal."

Mr. Kennedy won the match after knocking CM Punk off the ladder with a shot from another ladder. It has been announced that Mr. Kennedy will cash in his contract for WrestleMania 24 on March 30 2007.^[1] (364 days after winning it.)

Match history

Official Money in the Bank ladder matches

• 2005: Edge defeated Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Benoit, Christian (w/Tyson Tomko) and Kane (15:17) at WrestleMania 21
  • Edge won by climbing a ladder and retrieving the briefcase hanging above the ring after hitting Benoit with a steel chair.
• 2006: Rob Van Dam defeated Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Finlay, Matt Hardy and Bobby Lashley (12:21) at WrestleMania 22
  • Van Dam won by climbing the ladder and retrieving the briefcase after tipping over a ladder with Benjamin and Hardy on it, while on another ladder.
• 2007: Mr. Kennedy defeated Edge, CM Punk, King Booker, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Finlay and Randy Orton (19:10) at WrestleMania 23
  • Mr. Kennedy won by climbing the ladder and grabbing the briefcase after hitting CM Punk with another ladder.

Money in the Bank cash-in matches

• Edge defeated John Cena (c) to win the WWE Championship at New Year's Revolution 2006.
• Rob Van Dam defeated John Cena (c) to win the WWE Championship at ECW One Night Stand 2006.

Money in the Bank defenses

Along with the official Money in the Bank ladder matches that have taken place at WrestleMania, there have been matches in which the current holder of the Money in the Bank contract has placed their championship shot on the line against an opponent. The Money in the Bank contract hasn't changed hands in a defense to date.

• Edge (w/Lita) (MitB holder) defeated Matt Hardy at WWE Homecoming 2005 in a Ladder match.
  • This match was also a "Loser Leaves RAW" match and saw Matt Hardy got sent to SmackDown!.
• Rob Van Dam (MitB holder) defeated Shelton Benjamin at Backlash 2006 to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
  • This match also had Benjamin's Intercontinental Championship on the line. Van Dam won the match, retaining his MitB and winning the Intercontinental Championship.