How does WWE Money in the Bank ladder match work?: Explained

Money in the Bank has been held annually in WWE since 2005

Money in the Bank ladder matches came into inception as Y2J had an idea that came into fruition in 2005. It has been one of the most anticipated matches of all time. The match was usually held at WrestleMania, but the success and the reception from fans made WWE establish a separate pay-per-view for the match in 2010.

WWE has held a total of 30 MITB matches so far in eighteen years, making it one of the most successful match types in the company. Since being one of the most anticipated and successful match types, here we take a look at how the Money in the Bank ladder matches work and what are its rules.

How does Money in the Bank ladder match work?

Ahead of the Money in the Bank ladder matches, WWE will announce several qualifying matches with some of the potential contenders from the Raw and SmackDown brand. Where they have to defeat their opponents in the traditional qualifying matches and will secure a spot in the ladder matches.

Money in the Bank is a multi-starred ladder match involving five to ten participants, where a briefcase with a championship contract is suspended 20 feet above the ring. The ring will be surrounded by many steel ladders, using which the qualified WWE Superstars will try to climb the ladder and grab the MITB briefcase for a guaranteed title shot.

The winner who grabs the MITB briefcase earns an opportunity to challenge for any championship of the company, anywhere unless a referee is around. The contract is valid for one year and the briefcase can be cashed-in for any of the titles within the time frame.

The MITB briefcase can also be defended in a singles match if the MITB briefcase holder agrees to defend it on the line. In 2007, Kennedy defended his MITB contract on the line against Edge and lost. In 2020, Otis defended it on the line and lost to The Miz.

If a wrestler of a particular brand cashes in his MITB contract and wins the championship of the other brand, he/she will become a part of the brand to which the title belongs. 

Previous rules and changes

In 2006, ECW was also the third brand to be involved in the Money in the Bank ladder match and the contract was valid for the ECW Championship.

From 2010 to 2017, the Money in the Bank ladder matches were held separately for the Raw and SmackDown brand. Where the contract is valid only to the primary championship of their brand. However, it was freed up for all the world championships in the company. In 2022, Austin Theory cashed in on a secondary championship and made the contract open to all the championships in the company.

Until 2017, the MITB ladder matches were held only for the Men’s roster, however, WWE introduced it to the women’s division and has been held annually similar to the men’s roster.

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