WWE Money in the Bank 2011: Power Ranking Every Money in the Bank Payoff

WWE has scored with the Money in the Bank concept largely due to the element of surprise that comes with a WWE Superstar successfully capturing the briefcase. 

The Money in the Bank ladder match is a historically hard fought and entertaining contest filled with death-defying stunts and epic wars, so winning the case came with built-in value before it was ever even cashed in for the first time. 

The coveted briefcase, that gives to the victor an opportunity to compete in a WWE Championship match at anytime within the year, has always resulted in a championship win for the briefcase holder in question, rendering speculation surrounding the briefcase not if, but when, the victor will eventually win the WWE Championship. 

WWE usually does a good job paying off the Money in the Bank title match, with exciting hot shot matches designed to execute a momentous change at the top of the WWE. 

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8. CM Punk Cashes in Money in the Bank on Jeff Hardy Following Ladder Match

CM Punk's second Money in the Bank victory was not nearly as scintillating as his first.  The move, which effectively turned him heel, was not very well received by the New Orleans crowd. 

Punk's title match came just moments after then World Champion Jeff Hardy defended the title in a grueling ladder match against Edge. 

Hardy's kickout of the GTS and subsequent inside cradle attempt only delayed the inevitable, as Punk would quickly win the World Championship for the second time.

7. Jack Swagger Cashes in Money in the Bank on Christ Jericho

There's a reason that there has only been one instance of heel on heel action when it comes to cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase, and that's because it's pretty darn awkward. 

With the fans not sure who to cheer for in such a rare situation, Jack Swagger cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Chris Jericho just five days after winning it at WrestleMania XXVI. 

That MITB match is widely regarded as the worst in the WrestleMania series, and with Swagger's subsequent title reign meaning next to nothing, it can certainly be argued that the otherwise talented Swagger is the worst Money in the Bank Winner of all time. 

6. Edge Cashes in Money in the Bank Briefcase Against the Undertaker

Edge's 2007 Money in the Bank win over the Undertaker marked the first time the briefcase was cashed in on free TV. 

The angle was part of an audible that had to be called as the previous winner Mr. Kennedy had suffered an injury and was booked to drop the briefcase to Edge on RAW just four days prior.

Edge's first Money in the Bank win was so well done, that the contrast between his 2006 win over John Cena and his win over the Undertaker the following year make the ladder victory seem weak by comparison. 

5. Kane Cashes in in His MITB Briefcase on the Same Night He Wins It

Not only was Kane's 2010 victory in the Money in the Bank match surprising, but the subsequent payoff was as well.

In what was the quickest turnaround in history for a Money in the Bank winner to cash in his briefcase, Kane successfully cashed in the first ever SmackDown MITB briefcase against Rey Mysterio at the inaugural Money in the Bank pay-per-view. 

4. Miz Cashes in Money in the Bank Briefcase on Randy Orton

The Miz is the most recent Money in The Bank winner, and the exciting build up to his first ever WWE Championship reign lead to a match against Randy Orton on RAW shortly after Orton had been attacked by the Nexus.  

After Orton had valiantly defended the WWE Championship in spite of an injured leg that was exploited during the aforementioned attack, the Miz capitalized by cashing in his WWE Championship opportunity. 

This match did a good job putting the advantageous Miz in dangerous predicaments, making it appear that Orton very well may have pulled of an improbable victory, however it may have contributed to hurting Miz in the long run as he was often criticized as being a weak champion. 

3. Rob Van Dam Defeats John Cena at One Night Stand

RVD's WWE Championship win in ECW territory came as a result of a rare advance warning that he would be cashing in his opportunistic briefcase. 

Months after winning the briefcase, Van Dam announced on an episode of RAW that he would be cashing in against John Cena at ECW's One Night Stand pay-per-view, with the match being the first time the WWE Championship was ever defended at an ECW pay-per-view. 

2. Edge Cashes in Money in the Bank Briefcase for the First Time

WWE captured the essence of the Money in the Bank concept at the 2006 New Year's Revolution pay-per-view. 

Following a hard fought victory in the always brutal Elimination Chamber, a bloodied John Cena was forced to defend his WWE Championship in a match against Edge, who had carried the briefcase for the previous nine months. 

Vince McMahon made the announcement at the pay-per-view, and as a result, Edge won the first of 11 World and WWE Championship reigns. 

1. CM Punk Defeats Edge for World Championship on RAW

CM Punk's first World Championship victory in Oklahoma was masterfully done. 

Cashing in the briefcase at such an opportune moment is heelish by nature, but Edge fantastically garnered enough heat on himself through the bullying of hometown hero Jim Ross and a subsequently obnoxious promo, to where dropping the Championship to CM Punk was rejoiced as he had received his comeuppance.

After announcing that he would be leaving RAW with the World Title, Edge was taken apart by an enraged Batista, whom he defeated for the World Championship through heel tactics the previous night, took Edge apart. 

The assault lead to then favorite CM Punk cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase in a moment that won a Slammy for "Oh My God!" Moment of the Year.