Preview:Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Finlay defeated The Brian Kendrick on the March 13 edition of SmackDown to become the eighth and final Superstar to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania.
Finlay will compete in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match with Christian, CM Punk, Kane, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin, Kofi Kingston and new United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter, who defeated Shelton Benjamin on the March 20 edition of SmackDown.
Although the Money in the Bank Ladder Match was first instituted merely four years ago at WrestleMania 21, the match is quickly becoming one of WrestleMania’s most prestigious and most anticipated encounters. With eight men attempting to climb the ladder and obtain the briefcase holding the coveted championship contract within, it is understandable why the match-up has quickly become legendary.
Like Royal Rumble winners, the aforementioned contract contained in the briefcase above the ring in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match guarantees the winner a World Title bout for the championship of his choosing. The unique quality of the Money in the Bank contract is that it is valid to be put to use anywhere and anytime for one full year following the win.
Since its inception in 2005, four different men have earned the moniker of “Mr. Money in the Bank” and three of those victors have gone on to successfully cash-in the contract and become World Champions. The only former “Mr. Money in the Bank” unable to successfully cash-in the contract was an injured Mr. Kennedy who lost the briefcase in a match against Edge. The Rated-R Superstar cashed it in later that very same week to become champion once again much like he did in 2006.
Considering the outstanding 100 percent success rate for those who have cashed in the contract in becoming World Champion, the briefcase’s value has driven Superstars to great lengths (and heights) in its pursuit.
Watch live on pay-per-view to see who will be the next man to earn the “Mr. Money in the Bank” moniker at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania at 7 p.m. ET on April 5.