Did Money in the Bank create stars?

A while back, I took a look back at the various King of the Ring winners, and determined if the victories have created new stars. Now it's the turn of Money in the Bank, which has been a consistent presence in WWE since 2005. We have a lot more candidates and we're going to have results I think that will be more varied. Let's get started.

Edge: Yes

Big surprise. The first winner of an event like Money in the Bank is crucial to establish importance. Edge was an upper mid-carder who had the potential to become a big star, but whose journey was slowed by a severe injury in 2003. After his return in 2004 and an intriguing rivalry with Shawn Michaels, it was clear that he still had the potential, and Money in the Bank would serve to put him nicely at the top of the card. During his Mr. Money in the Bank phase, he also established the persona of the Rated-R Superstar and the Ultimate Opportunist, two that have become synonymous with the wrestler. There is no doubt that Money in the Bank launched Edge's main event career, and allowed him to become this respected legend.

Also, his second cash-in, even if it was the result of catastrophic booking, was an excellent choice and reinforced his character as the Ultimate Opportunist, while opening the first chapter of the great rivalry between Edge and Undertaker.

Rob Van Dam: Yes

Some may dispute my verdict, saying that in 2001-2002 he was the biggest star coming out of the Invasion, THE most popular guy by far, which is true. But after 2002, Rob Van Dam was really stuck in the mid-card. An Intercontinental Championship reign here and there, a Tag Team Championship reign here and there, but he could never go any higher. Money in the Bank allowed him to finally become world champion, in an ultra memorable and iconic match still to this day. Some would also argue that he didn't really become a star, with his two-time champion reign ending abruptly, but in my eyes, the Money in the Bank period, leading the ECW renaissance, and finally realizing his potential made him a big star. While that's debatable for some, I still think it was a success.

Mr. Kennedy: No

2007 should have been the year of Mr. Kennedy. He wasn't the best wrestler in the world, but he had that presence, that aura of a future star. Unfortunately, it was a debacle for him. Later in the year he almost became Mr. McMahon's hidden son before getting suspended, and before that, he also had an opportunity as Mr. Money in the Bank. Unfortunately, a triceps injury forced him to give up the briefcase. The worst part is that the injury wasn't that bad. If at first the medical staff thought it was a torn triceps tendon, it was later revealed that it was "only" a large hematoma.

CM Punk: Yes

CM Punk had a very good cash-in as a babyface in 2008 over Edge to become World Heavyweight Champion, but the reign didn't go super well, and had a less than stellar ending. Not exactly the best run for a Money in the Bank winner.

With that said, his second cash-in as a heel on Jeff Hardy, that was very well done, with immense tension for the mini-match. This then led to the classic rivalry between the two, culminating in the TLC match at SummerSlam. CM Punk was definitely established as a main eventer with his rivalry with Jeff Hardy, which would also lead to the beginnings of the Straight Edge Society. To me, that's a success.

Jack Swagger: No

Ouch... of those who have been successful with their cash-ins, Jack Swagger is probably the worst winner. His reign was abysmal, the gimmick change didn't work at all, and aside from a brief moment in 2013, never again will he be taken seriously as a threat for a world title. One of the biggest failures of Money in the Bank

Kane: No

A star since 1997 and a former WWE Champion, Kane was already extremely well established. So clearly he hadn't become a star thanks to MITB. That said, it was nice to see him finally rewarded for his years of hard work, and with an opportunity to have a real world title reign... too bad his reign wasn't great

The Miz: Yes

Some will look at what he did after his WWE Championship reign, and say that no, he didn't become a star. But personally, I disagree. Sure he had to wait 10 years to have another reign that also wasn't great, but in the meantime he became one of the most recognizable and beloved names in WWE, and one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions in history. And I don't think any of that would have happened without Money in the Bank, without his cash-in on Randy Orton. He was excellent in his role, and while holding the US belt at the same time, making him believable as this ultra despicable heel.

Of course his second period as Mr. Money in the Bank didn't make him a star, but the job was already done. And he was still entertaining with John Morrison at his side.

Alberto del Rio: No

Right, we can argue about whether Del Rio became a star after 2011, I personally think he did even though he is still a bad person, but that's not the point. Did Money in the Bank help him establish himself as a star? No. It's not his fault, just a matter of very bad timing, as his cash-in came in the middle of CM Punk's rise as the company's top face. He's had some not-so-great and forgettable reigns, and to me, his cash-in didn't help him as much as it could have.

Daniel Bryan: Yes

The face Money in the Bank winning Daniel Bryan was beloved, and his storyline that he was going to cash-in at Wrestlemania reinforced that character and created an interesting storyline, as well as a bigger shock when he finally did his cash-in at TLC on the Big Show. Great booking that led to a successful heel turn, and the birth of the Yes Chant that we all love. One of the biggest successes of Money in the Bank.

John Cena: No

If you seriously thought that Money in the Bank was going to establish John Cena, the face of the company, as a star, you are just a pure imbecile. He didn't need to be established, he was already the establishment himself. Moving on.

Dolph Ziggler: Yes

It's complicated, because we know his World Championship reign wasn't very good, and I wouldn't be surprised if many disagree with me on that. But to me, his Mr. MITB phase where he beat Chris Jericho and John Cena to retain the briefcase, where his entourage with Big E and AJ Lee made him popular, and that cash-in, my god that cash-in. Possibly the best in history, with one of the biggest pops you'll hear in your life. That moment alone makes Ziggler one to . And while he'll never wait for that peak again, he was still a big name for years, and one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of the 2010s.

Randy Orton: No

Like John Cena, the youngest world champion in history didn't need the briefcase to establish himself. He was already one of the biggest stars in the business. That said, his cash-in is still excellent.

Damien Sandow: No

It’s just sad. The first wrestler to lose his cash-in match (John Cena won by disqualification), and he had a chance to become a star. We tend to forget but yes, Sandow was popular. Unfortunately, after his failure against John Cena, he will never again come even close to being a future star

Seth Rollins: Yes

After Seth Rollins' heel turn on the Shield, it was clear that he had the makings of a future star as the Authority's darling heel. His time as Mr. Money in the Bank reinforced that, with a famous rivalry with Dean Ambrose, matches with big names like John Cena, Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, and of course, THE cash-in. In my eyes, the best in history. A success across the board.

Sheamus: No

I don't know about you, but for me, being Roman Reigns' punching bag doesn't make one a star... Well, unless you're Jey Uso I guess. But anyway, let's get back to the heart of the matter. Sheamus had already shown his worth as a world champion before 2015, and the briefcase didn't exactly put him over the top. On the night of the cash-in, he lost an impromptu 5 vs 5 match. Sheamus didn't really benefit from being Mr. MITB status wise.

Dean Ambrose: Yes

It's a debatable case, but for me it's a yes. The cash-in later in the night put him on the map as a definitive top star, one that he needed as he was at risk of being left far behind his former Shield brothers. After the cash-in and the win, he will remain a top star in WWE until he leaves and becomes a bigger name in AEW.

Baron Corbin: No

John Cena, stop ruining cash-ins damn it. A surprising choice in 2017, where many expected a Nakamura, a Styles, an Owens or even a Zayn. But there was still potential, he was still a good heel. But since his cash-in failure, he will never again approach that potential main eventer status. It's a shame.

Carmella: Yes

The first Mrs. MITB. Were there better choices? Yes. Is this one a failure? No. Carmella was able to establish her Mella is Money persona, and make her one of the most hated people on Smackdown. While her reign was a failure in many ways, it doesn't take away from the fact that her time with the briefcase was a success, at least in my eyes.

Braun Strowman: No

In every way, no. Braun Strowman as Mr. MITB had a lot of potential too, and even if he had been popular for some time, a good cash-in would have allowed him to establish himself permanently at the top of the card. Alas, the cash-in resulted in just one of the most frustrating moments in the company's history.

Alexa Bliss: No

Before the cash-in, Alexa Bliss was already a former 4x champion in the main roster. She was already recognized as one of WWE's top talents in the women's division. So while her cash-in was a success, the briefcase didn't make her a star.

Brock Lesnar: No

The guy who had already broken the Streak wasn't going to become a star with Money in the Bank. But what could have been a disastrous choice ended up being one of the most entertaining things about WWE in 2019 with the notorious Boombox Brock. No he didn't become a star with the briefcase, but he will forever be one of the best Mr. MITBs.

Bayley: No

Like Alexa Bliss, Bayley was already a household name throughout WWE as one of the Four Horsewomen. The briefcase wasn't necessary for her, but at least the reign that resulted from the cash-in would give us the heel Bayley we all love.

Asuka: No

Women's Money in the Bank tends to take very established names to win the briefcase, but in this case I can understand. With Becky Lynch leaving due to her pregnancy, they needed a big name to replace her and Asuka was a good choice. Too bad they made 0 efforts for her reign.

Otis: No

I last year, no one honestly thought Otis was going to be World Champion, and the WWE...made no effort to prove us wrong. They even itted their mistake by giving the briefcase to the Miz. Quite a waste of time... like Tucker's heel turn.

Finally, we have a 9 out of 24 record. As with the King of the Ring, I would ask to take these numbers with a grain of salt. There are not only 9 good Mr. MITB. That being said, it does put a little perspective on how WWE uses this tool, which for many is used to create new big names.