Now that Clash at the Castle is over, all focus turns to the Money in the Bank PLE. Money in the Bank is always one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Winning the briefcase has been a career-defining moment for many Superstars, as we saw last year with Damian Priest and IYO SKY. With that being said, let’s look toward potential winners for this year’s event in Toronto.
Women’s Match
5. Lyra Valkyria
WWE has already shown that they believe in Lyra Valkyria’s potential as a top star. She has already picked up wins over Becky Lynch and more recently, IYO SKY.
She made it to the finals of the Queen of the Ring tournament before losing to Nia Jax. While she didn’t become Queen, she has a shot at being Ms. Money in the Bank.
There aren’t many better ways to elevate a young star than by giving them the briefcase. WWE could pull the trigger, instantly making Valkyria a title contender.
However, as we’ve seen under Triple H’s creative, they often take the time to build up talent rather than hot-shotting them to the top. Valkyria has a bright future but it might be too early for her to win the Money in the Bank match.
4. IYO SKY
We have not had a two-time Ms. Money in the Bank yet but IYO SKY will have that opportunity. SKY just qualified for this year’s ladder match by knocking off Zelina Vega and Kiana James.
SKY has established herself as a top star in the women’s division throughout the last 12 months. But since losing her championship to Bayley at WrestleMania, she hasn’t been able to get back into the title picture.
We have seen a character shift from SKY, with her displaying a much angrier and more intense side to herself. She is growing frustrated with her and Damage CTRL’s losing ways.
Another Money in the Bank win could be the way to get SKY back into the championship picture. As the first woman to qualify, SKY has to be one of the favorites. However, some other options make more sense.
3. Chelsea Green
Chelsea Green as Ms. Money in the Bank would perhaps be the most entertaining option on this list. Green has been excellent since returning to WWE, and her character work is brilliant.
She has made the most out of every opportunity she’s had. And, while she hasn’t been winning much and is not currently presented as a World Champion level competitor, you don’t have to be to win Money in the Bank.
Green teasing a cash-in for months would be great television and the pop for her winning would be electric. WWE values Green, but it remains to be seen if they see her as a main-event talent. Even if it’s a short run, Green as champion would be gold.
2. Naomi
Since returning to WWE early this year, Naomi has proven that she is at the top of her game. The only issue is that she hasn’t won anything of significance yet.
She was pinned by Bayley at Backlash in a title match and lost to Jax in the Queen of the Ring tournament. Money in the Bank might be her time to break through.
We’ve seen Naomi’s alliance with Women’s Champion Bayley throughout her title reign. And while there have been no signs of a fractured friendship, it seems inevitable that Naomi will want another shot at the title.
Naomi as the Money in the Bank winner would create an intriguing dynamic between the two. Would Bayley lose trust in her friend, knowing that she can be cashed in on at any moment?
Naomi holding the briefcase could give us the best storyline from a women’s MITB holder that we have seen. Naomi doesn’t need the briefcase to feud with Bayley over the championship, but it would be the most effective way to do so.
1. Tiffany Stratton
While Naomi would be an excellent choice, the Money in the Bank contract was made for someone like Tiffany Stratton. As a young star on the rise, the briefcase would do wonders for Stratton.
She would be wildly entertaining as Ms. Money in the Bank with her current character, and I can easily envision her with a pink briefcase. She has already gained popularity with the audience, as evidenced by her performances at Elimination Chamber and Backlash.
It is clear that Stratton is destined for greatness and there is no reason to waste time pushing her to the top. The potential alliance with Jax and her recent history with Bayley provide interesting storylines for her run with the briefcase. Stratton is undeniably a future world champion, and it’s “Tiffy time” for her to take the next step.
Men’s Match
5. Finn Balor
I had Finn Balor much higher on this list before this week’s Raw. He then lost his qualifying match, effectively taking him out of the running.
However, WWE has done second-chance matches in the past, leaving a possibility for Balor to find a way into the match. With Damian Priest as champion and cracks forming in The Judgment Day, Balor makes a ton of sense as Mr. Money in the Bank.
There have been teases that him and Liv Morgan may be working together, signifying that Balor might turn on Priest shortly. Balor also had issues with Priest and the briefcase last summer, when he blamed Priest for his failure to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
It would be a full circle moment if Balor used the briefcase to cash in on Priest to become champion. They even teased the possibility in a backstage segment on Raw. However, it seems that WWE has different ideas.
4. Carmelo Hayes
WWE is clearly high on Carmelo Hayes. Since being drafted to SmackDown, he has gone head-to-head with Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and LA Knight.
While he lost those matches, having him be involved with top stars shows the company his big plans for Hayes. His cocky heel character would suit him well as Mr. Money in the Bank, and his abilities in the ring are already up to par.
WWE has given the Money in the Bank to young stars in the past, and this would be a great way to elevate Hayes early in his career. However, it might be a little too early for him to be a world champion.
It might be more likely to see him pursue the U.S. title before moving to the main event scene. ‘Melo in the Bank’ has a nice ring to it, but we might have to wait until next year.
3. Ludwig Kaiser
Ludwig Kaiser may sound like an unlikely pick for Mr. Money in the Bank but don’t count him out. There has been a clear focus on presenting Kaiser as a singles star lately.
He has been given more promo time as of late, and he has already stated his intention to enter the ladder match. After picking up the biggest win of his career over Sheamus, he has to be taken seriously as a threat.
With Gunther lined up for a title shot at SummerSlam, this idea makes sense. Gunther as champion with Kaiser as the briefcase holder sets up an interesting dynamic between the two.
This could lead to an eventual feud between the two, creating a star in Kaiser in the process. While he’s certainly not the favorite, don’t be shocked if Kaiser ends up with the briefcase.
2. AJ Styles
AJ Styles has looked revitalized in 2024. He got himself back in title contention, competing for the WWE Championship twice.
However, after losing again to Rhodes, he finds himself at the back of the line. Styles is desperate to get his hands back on a world title, even faking his retirement to get a title shot. The Money in the Bank is the perfect way for him to become champion again.
Whatever championship he targets, nobody would question Styles as World Champion again. Styles has proven he still has what it takes to deliver in the ring, with his match with Rhodes at Backlash being a match-of-the-year contender. Styles is in the midst of his best run in years and he would be a ‘phenomenal’ choice for Mr. Money in the Bank.
1. Jey Uso
Jey Uso is the favorite to be this year’s Mr. Money in the Bank. He just qualified for the ladder match after defeating Rey Mysterio and Finn Balor.
He’s even on the poster for the show. Uso might be the most popular man on the Raw roster right now, and the fans are buying into Jey as a main-event star.
After continuing to lose big matches, this might finally be Uso’s time. Uso has proven that he doesn’t need to win titles to be successful, but he deserves to be rewarded.
The roof would blow off Scotiabank Arena if Uso wins the briefcase. Uso has also had a history with Damian Priest and Gunther, who would likely be the targets of a cash-in.
The only thing potentially stopping him from winning is The Bloodline, but they seem to have their own problems. The WWE Universe would love to see Uso finally win a singles championship, and Money in the Bank seems like the perfect way to accomplish that.
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