What if Someone Else got Rich?

I was watching Money in the Bank 2011 the other day, and it got me thinking about those who have competed in the MITB matches and lost. This match has helped propel the careers for many of the winners. So, what if somebody else who competed in these matches won instead? Since the first six MITB matches were held at a WrestleMania, I figured now is a fitting time to take a look at each MITB match:

1) WrestleMania 21 - Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit's prior championship success would not have made him a surprise winner. That said, the impact of his win would have changed 26.5 months later after he murdered his wife and son before committing suicide. The WWE doesn't even mention his existence outside of record books.

For this sake, be thankful it was Edge who won and became known as the "Ultimate Opportunist."

Actual winner: Edge

2) WrestleMania 22 - Matt Hardy
Matt is the older of the Hardy brothers, but he has always been treated as the younger one by wrestling promotions. Unlike Matt, Jeff Hardy has been the one to win world championships in both WWE and TNA.

I feel like he had risked enough during the Attitude Era to receive at least one world championship run.

Actual winner: Rob Van Dam

I've witnessed three MITB matches: WrestleMania 23 (pictured) and the two in 2011. It is easily my favorite match type that I have seen in person. Although, a Royal Rumble would probably top it if I see one. (Photo/ Robert Vanderkolk)

3) WrestleMania 23 -  Mr. Kennedy
Alright, you caught me! Mr. Kennedy technically won this match, but he never had the chance to cash in the contract. It seemed like every time Kennedy was about to receive a push, something happened that caused for it to come to a halt. First, the WWE overreacted to an injury. Secondly, he was suspended for a wellness policy violation.

Now he's in TNA as a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

Technical winner: Edge

4) WrestleMania XXIV - Carlito
Carlito had enough charisma and in-ring ability to make a credible champion. Also, I'm sure it could have helped make Carlito more pleased with his standing in WWE.

Actual winner: CM Punk





5) WrestleMania  XXV - Shelton Benjamin -
Benjamin's athleticism provided fans with multiple memorable moments during his four MITB matches. Although he was used simply to add excitement to the matches, I think he deserved to win at least once.

If he would have won, he would have had a very high possibility to become the first African-American WWE Champion.

Actual winner: CM Punk

6) WrestleMania XXVI - Drew McIntyre
Drew was being billed as the "chosen one" by McMahon himself. Having him win the MITB contract and becoming a world champion would have been the ultimate way for him to live up to the hype.

Now, he's one-third of 3MB along with Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal, and fans wonder if he'll ever find his way above the mid-card.

Actual winner: Jack Swagger

*Following XXVI, the WWE created the pay-per-view Money in the Bank. This led to there being two MITB matches: one contract for the World Heavyweight Championship and the other for the WWE Championship.

7) Money in the Bank 2010 (WHC) - Christian
Christian has been viewed by many wrestling as underrated. The WWE never awarded him a world championship until after his best friend Edge was forced to retire.

If he would have won here, wrestling fans could have witnessed a feud between the two friends.

Actual winner: Kane

8) Money in the Bank 2010 (WWE) - Mark Henry
Henry's current role of inducting wrestlers into the "Hall of Pain" is the most entertaining role in his 15-year career. Winning here would have allowed him to turn his back on the WWE Universe even earlier. This could have given fans more time to forget about his "sexual chocolate" moniker during the Attitude Era.

Actual winner: The Miz


9) Money in the Bank 2011 (WHC) - Heath Slater
He's the one man band, baby! Just imagine him as a world champion. Alright, he probably would have been the first to lose while cashing-in, but that's besides the point.

If he would have won, we would never have been graced by 3MB's presence.

Actual winner: Daniel Bryan

10) Money in the Bank 2011 (WWE) - Kofi Kingston
In the general sense, Kingston has filled Benjamin's role as the "spot monkey" in the MITB matches. He displays similar athleticism and creativity in the matches.

He still has the chance to become WWE's first African-born world champion in WWE, but this would have been a simple way to make it happen.

Actual winner: Alberto Del Rio (The first Mexican-born world champion in WWE)

11) Money in the Bank 2012 (WHC) - Santino Marella
Marella has been an underdog since he debuted as a fan chosen by random to challenge Umaga for the Intercontinental Championship. Prior to this MITB match, he was the runner-up in the 2011 Royal Rumble match as well as the 2012 Elimination Chamber match for the WHC.

His situation is much like Slater's, but it would have provided that shock-factor that WWE enjoys to provide the fans.


12) Money in the Bank 2012 (WWE) - Chris Jericho - Money in the Bank 2012
Jericho has been credited for being the brain behind the stipulation. I am curious to see how he would have handled the briefcase. Would he hold on to it for as long as possible and treat it like a child, or would he cash in as soon as possible?

Either way, I would have enjoyed his time with the briefcase more than I did with John Cena.

Actual winner: Cena (The first to lose his cash-in attempt)

Although we may never see MITB make its way home to WrestleMania, it still provides us fans with plenty of excitement with its own pay-per-view. There are other wrestlers who could have won, but these were the ones that stood out the most to me. Some were obviously more likely than others, but I feel like they all would have been entertaining to see.

Which MITB participant would you like to have seen win?