The Money In The Bank (MITB) ladder match has become one of WWE‘s most iconic bouts since its debut at WrestleMania 21 in 2005. With over 30 matches to date, some stand head and shoulders above the rest for their drama, star power, and unforgettable moments.
Using TheSportster’s overall ratings, Cagematch.net scores, and Dave Meltzer’s star ratings, here are the most critically acclaimed MITB matches of all time.
🥇 Edge vs. Christian vs. Jericho vs. Benjamin vs. Benoit vs. Kane
Event: WrestleMania 21 (2005)
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8.75/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★½
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.98
The blueprint for all future MITB matches. It combined intense storytelling with wild innovation—Shelton Benjamin’s running up the ladder still gets talked about today. Edge winning kicked off his rise to becoming WWE’s ultimate opportunist.
🥈 Big E vs. Morrison vs. McIntyre vs. Owens vs. Ricochet vs. Riddle vs. Rollins vs. Nakamura
Event: Money In The Bank 2021
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8.5/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★¾
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.78
This was the perfect storm of chaos, athleticism, and feel-good storytelling. Ricochet stole the show with high-flying insanity, but it was Big E’s powerful and emotional victory that sent the crowd into a frenzy. It felt like the coronation of a long-overdue fan favorite.
🥉 Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Del Rio vs. Jericho vs. Ambrose vs. Cesaro
Event: Money In The Bank 2016
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8.5/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★1/4
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.54
A sleeper classic packed with underrated storytelling and brutal spots. The long-running feud between Owens and Zayn added real heat, and the finish—Ambrose winning and cashing in on Seth Rollins later that night—was the ultimate poetic justice.
🏅 CM Punk vs. Orton vs. Edge vs. Booker T vs. Finlay vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy vs. Kennedy
Event: WrestleMania 23 (2007)
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8.25/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★1/4
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.32
This match had everything: veteran grit, wild innovation, and family rivalry. Jeff Hardy’s ladder crash on Edge was so brutal it took them both out of the match. While Kennedy’s win didn’t amount to much, the ride to get there was unforgettable.
🏅 Morrison vs. Benjamin vs. Carlito vs. CM Punk vs. Jericho vs. MVP vs. Kennedy
Event: WrestleMania 24 (2008)
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8.25/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★¼
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.28
One of the most athletic Money in the Bank matches ever. John Morrison’s moonsault while holding a ladder defied gravity and logic. CM Punk’s first win here would signal the beginning of his long journey to the top.
🏅 Kofi Kingston vs. Ambrose vs. Rollins vs. Swagger vs. Ziggler vs. RVD
Event: Money In The Bank 2014
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8.25/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★½
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.45
This was the coming-out party for Seth Rollins as a top-tier heel. The psychology with Dean Ambrose constantly returning from injury was brilliant. Kofi delivered another “how-did-he-do-that?” moment, while Rollins’ win set the stage for his eventual WrestleMania moment.
🏅 Cody Rhodes vs. Sandow vs. Cesaro vs. Barrett vs. Swagger vs. Ambrose vs. Fandango
Event: Money In The Bank 2013
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8.25/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★¾
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.39
This one had heart. The tension between Cody and Sandow carried this match beyond just its physicality. Cody’s gutsy solo effort had fans behind him, only to be betrayed in heartbreaking fashion by his best friend. It was storytelling layered within the chaos.
🏅 Daniel Bryan vs. Barrett vs. Rhodes vs. Slater vs. Gabriel vs. Sheamus vs. Sin Cara vs. Kane
Event: Money In The Bank 2011
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.45
This was the match that turned Daniel Bryan from cult favorite to future main eventer. The underdog story began here, with Bryan shocking fans by winning against all odds. It may not have had the biggest names, but it had one of the biggest impacts.
🏅 Bayley vs. Iyo Sky vs. Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus vs. Zoey Stark vs. Zelina Vega
Event: Money In The Bank 2023
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★
📊 Cagematch Rating: 7.98
Creative, clever, and full of surprises, this match raised the bar for the women’s division. Iyo Sky’s handcuff spot was a masterclass in smart match psychology. With veterans and rising stars all shining, it felt like a turning point for women’s MITB matches.
🏅 Nakamura vs. Ziggler vs. AJ Styles vs. Owens vs. Zayn vs. Corbin
Event: Money In The Bank 2017
⭐ TheSportster Rating: 8/10
🌟 Meltzer Rating: ★★★★½
📊 Cagematch Rating: 8.05
An incredibly physical and dramatic match with standout performances across the board. Nakamura’s mid-match return and face-off with AJ Styles brought the crowd to its feet. Though Corbin’s win didn’t pan out, the match itself delivered in spades.
🏆 Final Thoughts
While every Money In The Bank ladder match has its own flavor of chaos, not all are created equal. Whether it’s the original classic at WrestleMania 21, Big E’s emotional 2021 victory, or the show-stealing women’s match in 2023, these bouts prove why the MITB match remains a fan-favorite stipulation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.