WWE Money In The Bank: An In-Depth Look At The Raw's Ladder Match

Let's put aside all the negative opinions we can have about the upcoming Money In The Bank (MITB) pay-per-view and let's take a look at the Raw's ladder match.

Any wrestler who will pick up the MITB briefcase hooked at 20 feet above the ring will put their hand on a contract that will allow him to challenge any current WWE Champion at any place, at any moment. In other words, the Raw's MITB match winner will almost automatically become the new WWE Champion.

The following slideshow will present the MITB ladder match's eight participants from Raw, in no particular order, with the reasons why they could win or not.

As you will see, they all have their pros and their cons, but some factors listed are heavier than others, so I strongly invite you to post your comments.

John Morrison

* * Pros:

He's got a huge fan base and he's got what it takes to be the next one to reach the main event status. He is an accomplished and well decorated wrestler due for a big push.

With his uncommon athletic skills, he will have no problem to use the ladder in any way possible and his quickness will give him an edge to reach the briefcase in no time.

As a wild card participant, along with Ted DiBiase, The Miz and Evan Bourne, Morrison might pull out a surprise victory.

* * Cons:

Morrison is not very experienced in ladder matches and he participated in a MITB contest only once before.

In addition, he is stale lately and his face run is not very successful. He needs a heel turn or at least a new cocky face gimmick to get bigger reactions from the crowds.

He also seems to be set for a feud with Ted DiBiase so the creative team might want to focus on this instead of making him the MITB match's winner.

Edge

* * Pros:

He is the first MITB winner and he participated in more ladder matches than any other of his opponents. The Ultimate Opportunist will be on his favorite playground so the odds are in his favor.

Just because he is what he is, sneaky and wise, Edge has got what it takes to climb his way to victory.

He knows all the tricks surrounding such a match and his experience will keep him from avoiding beginner's mistakes.

Along with Chris Jericho and Randy Orton who are also veterans, Edge is one of the three favorites.

* * Cons:

With what we have seen lately on Raw, Edge will apparently continue his feud with Chris Jericho which would mean no need for gold on the line.

Edge has cashed in twice the MITB contract, so the WWE might want to give that chance to someone else. Anyway, he doesn't really need it again to improve his already impressive list of accomplishments.

Mark Henry

* * Pros:

The only reason why he could pick up the briefcase would be if the WWE wants to give him a last great run before he retires, as a reward for his loyalty.

Honestly, I see no real pros in favor of the Strongest Man In The World and I had to dig a lot to find the one above.

* * Cons:

He is just a filler for R-Truth who was certainly not set to win either.

Mark Henry is a powerhouse who never won anything big during his 14 years run with the WWE and he currently has zero momentum with only moderate reactions from the crowds.

In addition, with his big size and his bad shape, we can wonder if he can actually climb the ladder.

Evan Bourne

* * Pros:

He is in the biggest push of his career so the WWE might think he is ready to step in the top card status. He is over with the crowds and he generates a lot of pops.

With his outstanding high flying style and his amazing speed, the MITB ladder match is the perfect opportunity for him to literally climb to the top.

He has built good momentum lately despite not always on the winning end. This might be a good sign, since the one on the losing end in a showdown usually tends to win at the upcoming pay-per-view.

Last Monday, he made a great impression with his shooting star press intercepted by Orton's RKO. That moment will feature in this year's highlights for sure, if not one of the greatest moments of the decade. He has shown he could be constantly innovative in the ring and that he could elevate his game.

Bourne is the wild card contestant currently in the best position according to the push he received recently.

* * Cons:

He misses a little something to be completely ready and reach the main event status. He needs to improve his mic skills or to get a manager. It would also not hurt if he was a bit sneakier.

He got a high endurance level to compete in long matches, but he still miss that IT factor, that out-of-nowhere move. He doesn't need to turn heel, but it would help greatly if he could add a sneaky side to his gimmick.

Chris Jericho

* * Pros:

Overall, he will be the most experienced wrestler in the ring and he knows the ropes; he is no stranger to the ladder match environment.

He is due for a decent reign as the WWE Champion and that is the best opportunity for him despite he never really shined in such a match.

As a well established wrestler, he is one of the three favorites along with Edge and Randy Orton.

* * Cons:

He doesn't have good momentum in the last months and he is stalling.

As we all know, the WWE seems to want to punish wrestlers when they have a sideline and Y2J, with his TV show, might be kept away from any major title because of that. Downfall might not only be the name of the quiz he hosts, but might be what will happen to him.

Ted DiBiase

* * Pros:

He is in top shape, so a ladder match should not be too difficult for him physically. He can count on his quickness to easily climb the ladder despite he is more of a technician grappler. The MITB playground is also perfect to use his sneaky tactics.

If Maryse comes at the side of the ring, she might be an helpful diversion to help her man.

* * Cons:

He is not ready for the next level; he needs to win some singles championships so he can show what he can really do. He is on the good way and the creative team doesn't seem to want to throw him too quickly in the main event status.

He needs to prove he can go by his own and The Legacy's mark on his career is not completely erased. But that bout will help him to move on. He is on the good way, but he still needs some time.

Randy Orton

* * Pros:

He is currently involved in no story-line so a win would make sense to get him one.

With the segment he had with Nexus two weeks ago on Raw, the group might even interfere in his favor to help him and capture the briefcase. Then, as they said, nothing can prevent them to beat down the winner of the steel cage match for the WWE Title.

It would also improve his resume to add a win in a ladder match and to cash the coveted contract. It would solidify his Viper's legacy.

He is my pick among the three most experienced participants; I personally don't think it will be Jericho or Edge's turn this time.

* * Cons:

Orton has only been in a ladder match once before and it was at the Wrestlemania 23's MITB contest. So, his lack of experience with such stipulation might be a disadvantage for him.

Since he was on the good side of the beatings that led to the MITB pay-per-view, it might mean he will fail to win this Sunday unless the WWE changes their pattern.

The Miz

* * Pros:

He's got a lot of fans in the Internet Wrestling Community and many of them think he's got what it takes to be on the top of the mountain so he got an undeniable potential.

He is a rising star and he needs to back up his words, so the creative team might consider his time has come.

* * Cons:

He only gets modest heat from the crowds with his repetitive bragging sessions so he needs a little bit more to be over with the majority of the fans. With the beating he gave to R-Truth, he started to be on the right way, but too little and too late.

I don't think his time will be Sunday; he needs a few more months to establish himself as an awesome heel and to be at the top of his game.