With WrestleMania 42 less than a month away, fans are buzzing about what the massive two-night event has in store. We currently have six matches locked in, including both main events.
Cody Rhodes is set to defend his WWE Undisputed Championship against his former mentor, Randy Orton, to headline Night 1. For Night 2, the stakes are just as high: headlined by CM Punk as he’s defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns.
On the women’s side, Liv Morgan challenges Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Title, Jade Cargill faces off against Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship, and Becky Lynch and AJ Lee square off for the Women’s Intercontinental Title.
Most recently, Oba Femi answered Brock Lesnar’s open challenge in shocking fashion. Going toe-to-toe with the “Beast Incarnate,” Femi delivered a thunderous Fall From Grace, proving that “The Ruler” isn’t just a nickname; it’s his way of life.
Despite these six confirmed matches, there are still plenty of holes to fill in WWE’s most coveted puzzle: WrestleMania. With reports suggesting we’ll see 16 matches across both nights, the card is far from complete.
Fans and analysts are scrambling to assemble the WrestleMania 42 card, but few have discussed the most effective way to fit more talent into the fold. Reintroducing the Money in the Bank ladder match wouldn’t just add a high-stakes attraction; it would solve the numbers game for a two-night event of this scale.
WWE debuted the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21, with Edge famously winning the inaugural bout. The tradition continued annually until WrestleMania 27, when the company decided the concept was successful enough to carry its own premium live event to anchor the summer schedule.
But while that may have been the case, a growing number of fans are hoping to see the coveted ladder match return to its original home at WrestleMania. In this article, we will examine several key reasons why the “Grandest Stage of Them All” should reintroduce the Money in the Bank match for 2026 and beyond. There is a unique electricity that comes with hanging the briefcase above a WrestleMania ring, blending the prestige of the
Show of Shows” with the unpredictable chaos of the ladder match.
Making the Road to WrestleMania Exciting
There have been many years where fans felt the Road to WrestleMania was either too predictable or lacked excitement. Bringing back the tradition of earning a spot in the Money in the Bank match through grueling qualifiers would give the entire roster something to fight for and transform every episode of Raw and SmackDown into a must-watch event.
This not only eliminates predictability but ensures that the journey to the WrestleMania card feels earned rather than just handed out.
There have been numerous occasions where qualifying matches delivered truly shocking results. Most recently, 21-year-old Je’Von Evans defeated both Gunther and Dominik Mysterio to punch his ticket to this year’s Elimination Chamber. Results like these create an added layer of unpredictability to the card, complementing the anticipation fans already feel and ensuring that the mid-card feels just as vital as the world title matches.
Utilizing the Roster
One certainty in the WWE today is that the roster is incredibly stacked, particularly within the midcard. It is a wasted opportunity to have a roster this talented and not find a meaningful place for them at WrestleMania 42. Reintroducing the Money in the Bank ladder match would provide a clear path for that talent to secure a spot on the year’s biggest PLE, ensuring top-tier performers don’t get left off the card.
Expanding on the midcard, there currently seem to be only a few guaranteed ways to lock in a spot at WrestleMania. A superstar is usually only safe if they are holding or chasing the United States, Intercontinental, or Tag Team titles – unless WWE carves out a rare, non-title grudge match, such as the brewing collision between Finn Bálor and Dominik Mysterio.
Without a multi-man attraction like Money in the Bank, dozens of incredible workers are left competing for just one or two creative slots that aren’t tied to a championship. Bringing back the ladder match would alleviate this pressure, giving these workhorses a clear destination rather than hoping for a lucky break.
