5 Biggest Controversies In WWE Money In The Bank History

In its 15 years as a delectable plot device, the Money in the Bank briefcase has yielded legendary moments. Edge's cash-in on a blood-soaked John Cena in 2006 demonstrated how exhilarating the payoff can be. Dolph Ziggler's 2013 gatecrash of a battered Alberto Del Rio drew a staggering reaction from an energized post-WrestleMania crowd. And who could forget Seth Rollins' intrusion of the ongoing WrestleMania 31 main event, taking a moment not even designed for him, and making it all his?

These payoffs, along with the creative high-wire stunts in the Ladder Matches themselves, represent the lofty appeal of Money in the Bank, making it one of WWE's pre-eminent gimmick matches. The favourable response isn't guaranteed, however - through the years, WWE hasn't always handled the match's outcomes, eventual cash-ins, and general booking with the most steady of hands. For all the good that the magical briefcase has represented, it's also been, at times, the centre of contention.

With that in mind, let's look back at a few notable Money in the Bank controversies.

In its 15 years as a delectable plot device, the Money in the Bank briefcase has yielded legendary moments. Edge's cash-in on a blood-soaked John Cena in 2006 demonstrated how exhilarating the payoff can be. Dolph Ziggler's 2013 gatecrash of a battered Alberto Del Rio drew a staggering reaction from an energized post-WrestleMania crowd. And who could forget Seth Rollins' intrusion of the ongoing WrestleMania 31 main event, taking a moment not even designed for him, and making it all his?

These payoffs, along with the creative high-wire stunts in the Ladder Matches themselves, represent the lofty appeal of Money in the Bank, making it one of WWE's pre-eminent gimmick matches. The favourable response isn't guaranteed, however - through the years, WWE hasn't always handled the match's outcomes, eventual cash-ins, and general booking with the most steady of hands. For all the good that the magical briefcase has represented, it's also been, at times, the centre of contention.

With that in mind, let's look back at a few notable Money in the Bank controversies.

5. Bryan's First Cash-In

While Daniel Bryan's cash-in on an unconscious Big Show at the 2011 TLC to become World Heavyweight champion is fondly recalled, there was one little loose thread that was never followed up on: Bryan did the same thing weeks earlier, and had his cash-in disallowed.

When then-champ Mark Henry was KO'ed by Show on SmackDown, Bryan took advantage and pinned Henry, only to have the result overruled, since Henry wasn't medically cleared. Well, was Show cleared at TLC? No, and neither were numerous other cash-in victims. Damn flexible reality.

4. Kennedy Gets Screwed

Mr. Kennedy's brashness and bluster seemed to ensure him a golden future in WWE, and his briefcase win at WrestleMania 23 reflected that faith. In fact, he was due to cash in on Undertaker and win the World Heavyweight belt in May, but an unfortunate injury occurred.

Kennedy apparently tore his triceps days before the planned switch. Thus, WWE decided to have him lose the briefcase to Edge in a short Raw match, since Kennedy looked to be gone for months. Turns out, the injury *wasn't* serious, and he returned to the ring shortly after. Oops.

3. The Undesired Winners

This falls under the header of subjective, but it has been cause for complaint. In the minds of many fans, Money in the Bank is a launching pad for a future star, so when the briefcase is pulled down by somebody that's been to the top enough times, it ruffles a few feathers.

Multi-time champ Sheamus in 2015 is probably the best example of a winner receiving a chilly reception. Victories for John Cena and Randy Orton's wins demonstrated the minimal roster turnover. To some, even Alexa Bliss' 2018 win seemed to come at the expense of an underpushed lot.

2. Carmella's "Win"

The first ever Women's Money in the Bank ladder match in 2017 was heavily built up in the weeks prior, since, well, it was the *first* one. The opportunity and milestone were hyped incessantly, and the entrants all spoke glowingly of having a match of their own.

That feelgood moment was tempered when Carmella's sidekick James Ellsworth retrieved the case for her. Critics felt this undermined the significance, and defenders pointed out: "They're heels - they cheat." Nonetheless, WWE later redid the match and had Carmella win proper.

1. Lesnar's "Win"

It's only been a year, but now it feels like forever ago that Brock Lesnar climbed the ladder, pulled down the briefcase/eventual make-believe boombox, and began stalking Universal champion Seth Rollins from afar. The problem? Lesnar wasn't even an entrant in the match.

Scheduled participant Sami Zayn was taken out earlier in the night, reducing the eight-man field to seven. No replacement for Zayn was issued by the time the bell rang, and Lesnar's end-stage intrusion into the match was never really justified or explained.