Since the inception of the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21 in 2005, we have seen 30 total men and women hold the briefcase. While most Superstars keep the original design of the briefcase, seven winners so far have personalized theirs to flaunt their prize even more.
With WWE Money in the Bank in Toronto, Ontario, Canada approaching soon, let’s go over the history of customized briefcases.
Rob Vam Dam – 2006
Rob Van Dam became the second-ever Money in the Bank winner at WrestleMania 23 against seven other competitors. The first-ever holder Edge carried a plain black briefcase that does have the same branding as the modern version.
However, the next year, RVD elevated his with an airbrushed design on both sides. The front featured the ying and yang symbol with his initials in big letters across. The other side said, “MR. MONEY IN THE BANK” with dollar signs in the background.
Rob Van Dam successfully cashed in on John Cena and started a briefcase trend that continued for the next two consecutive years.
Mr. Kennedy – 2007
The next WrestleMania, viewers watched Mr. Kennedy retrieve the briefcase from the top of the ladder. Kennedy’s personalized prize was airbrushed with his logo and trademark microphone.
His design was simpler than RVD’s but still more attractive than the boring black case given to the winner that year. However, he only held the briefcase for just over a month before…
Edge – 2007
Edge defeated Mr. Kennedy on the May 7, 2007 edition of Raw to become the first two-time Money in the Bank winner. Unlike his first time, Edge customized the briefcase he won from Kennedy. This design featured his logo as the Rated-R Superstar. A simple but sleek look for the Money in the Bank briefcase holder.
Edge later cashed in on The Undertaker to win the World Heavyweight Championship on an episode of SmackDown.
CM Punk – 2008
At WrestleMania 24, CM Punk climbed to the top of the ladder to win the Money in the Bank match. For the third year in a row and fourth time overall, the briefcase was personalized. Punk’s design included his name and the Chicago flag, which became synonymous with his character over the years.
After Jeff Hardy won the World Heavyweight Championship in a brutal ladder match against Edge, Punk ruined his moment by cashing in to become the new champion.
Customized briefcases became a thing of the past when WWE finally branded them with the WrestleMania and Money in the Bank logos. Five years later, it finally returned with…
Damien Sandow – 2013
Damien Sandow initially carried the blue version of the briefcase but was forced to upgrade due to the actions of Cody Rhodes. On the July 26, 2013 edition of SmackDown, Rhodes threw Sandow’s briefcase into the Gulf of Mexico out of frustration.
The Intellectual Savior did not let that stop him, however, and he clapped back by revealing a new and improved design. This new briefcase was classy with brown leather and the Money in the Bank logo on the front.
Unfortunately for him, a fancy personalized briefcase did not help Sandow pin John Cena after cashing in.
Brock Lesnar – 2019
The next customization came in 2019 when Brock Lesnar transformed his briefcase into a boombox. The Beast Incarnate entered the ring with music blasting from it to mock champions Seth Rollins and Kofi Kingston.
This was an unusual instance of Lesnar showing personality at the time and a highlight of Raw that night, that had everyone talking. Lesnar cashed in his contract later that year on Kingston, making quick work of him to win the WWE Championship.
Damian Priest – 2023
Finally, the most recent personalized briefcase occurred just under a year ago with holder Damian Priest. Desiring to join the Judgment Day, JD McDonagh gifted Priest an upgraded case as a friendly offering.
The new case was purple with the title of “Señor Money in the Bank” instead of “Mr. Money in the Bank.” With both tag team titles around his shoulders and an enhanced briefcase, Priest showed up to television each week in style.
At WrestleMania XL, Priest cashed in his purple briefcase and pinned Drew McIntyre to become the new World Heavyweight Championship.
Who’s Next?
With two new Money in the Bank winners crowned soon, will we see more customized briefcases? A woman is yet to personalize the briefcase, so maybe this year could be the first. A bedazzled design for Tiffany Stratton or a glow in the dark case for Naomi would both be sites to see.
Who would you like to see with an upgraded Money in the Bank briefcase?
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