Seventeen years ago, WWE was attempting to develop a new match format that would creatively drive storylines forward and present a platform to create new stars.
Since 1988, the Royal Rumble offered an opportunity each January for WWE superstars to grab the proverbial brass ring and launch their careers into a new stratosphere. The winner of the 30-man battle royal was guaranteed a title shot at WrestleMania. The Rumble was the sole event on the WWE calendar that ensured a wrestler would vie for the grandest prize in sports entertainment. That remained until April 3, 2005, when the inaugural Money in the Bank ladder match was unveiled at WrestleMania 21 at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in Los Angeles.
Seventeen years later, Money in the Bank is far more than just a launching pad for rising stars in the company. Since 2010, when WWE introduced the annual Money in the Bank pay-per-view, it’s been a staple of the promotion’s shows and has slowly but surely grown into a fifth tentpole event. Earning the moniker Mr. or Miss Money in the Bank has become one of the most tried-and-true kingmakers for a wrestler’s career.
The concept: Climb the ladder and grab a briefcase dangling above the ring. Inside that briefcase is a contract that guarantees its owner a WWE championship opportunity at a time of their choosing for up to a year.
On Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET on Peacock), seven men and seven women will compete in separate matches with the briefcase on the line and the chance to become the next WWE champion. The success rate for the Money in the Bank winner in that eventual title challenge: 85%.
The men: Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, Omos, Riddle and a still to be determined participant.
The women: Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Liv Morgan, Raquel Gonzalez, Lacey Evans, Shotzi Blackheart and Becky Lynch.
Before they step into the ring and climb the ladder, ESPN pulls back the curtain on the making of…
Source : espn
