Scaling Success: The Money in the Bank Ladder Match
March 30, 2008
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The Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania has become one of WWE's most coveted opportunities because of its golden track record – almost all previous winners have ultimately won a World Championship.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, a collection of Superstars battle for possession of a briefcase that’s held high above the ring and contains a contract for a World Championship Match. The winner of Money in the Bank can cash in the contract at any time – and previous victors have used that opportunity to win gold. Edge and Rob Van Dam have used the Money in the Bank Ladder Match victories to etch their names in World Heavyweight and WWE Championship history. (Watch: Money in the Bank Ladder Match Highlights)
But you have to be in it to win it, and Superstars on Raw, SmackDown and ECW are battling for the opportunity to compete in the Money in the Bank Match at WrestleMania. Video Preview
Jeff Hardy: Ladder-Day Saint
Jeff Hardy, who competed in last year's contest, became the first to qualify for this year's Money in the Bank by defeating Snitsky on Raw. The Intercontinental Champion desperately wants to fulfill his childhood dream of winning a World Championship. Will he take a pivotal step at WrestlleMania XXIV?
WrestleMania Is Jericho Again!
By defeating Hardy in a hard fought battle on Monday Night Raw, Chris Jericho qualified for his opportunity for Money in the Bank. Y2J, the first Undisputed Champion in WWE history, could renew his mission to regain the WWE Championship with a victory at WrestleMania XXIV. Jericho created the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and would love to make his first appearance at WrestleMania in three years a memorable one.
Mr. Money in the Bank Again?
And what about last year's winner, Mr. Kennedy? The Green Bay, Wis., loudmouth not only wants to make history by becoming the first to win back-to-back Money in the Bank Ladder Matches, but he also wants a chance at redemption. Kennedy lost his Money in the Bank opportunity last year when an opportunistic Edge took advantage of his injury (and sizable ego) and eventually defeated Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Kennedy believes he is entitled to a World Title opportunity. He is desperate to prove that he is what he says he is – the future of sports-entertainment. By winning the Money in the Bank Ladder Match again at WrestleMania XXIV, Kennedy can skyrocket himself back into the title hunt – and put all world champions on notice. He also wants to eradicate the dubious distinction of being the only Money in the Bank winner to not win a World Championship. But he must face other equally-hungry Superstars.
Setting the Gold Standard
Hunger has never been a problem for one of the purest athletes in WWE, Shelton Benjamin. Like his fellow competitors, Benjamin is hoping that his dreams of championship gold will come one step closer after WrestleMania XXIV. ECW's "Gold Standard" has the experience necessary, having been a part of two previous Money in the Bank matches. But for Shelton to climb the ladder and achieve his dreams, he will have to go through seven other Superstars looking to do the same thing.
Who else will qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania? Stay tuned to WWE programming on Raw, ECW and SmackDown and find out.