WWE Money in the Bank: Breaking Down the Odds of the RAW MiTB Participants

What's up, ladies and gentlemen? My name is Eric Kanes and today, we are going to be taking a look at the eight Money in the Bank ladder match participants from the RAW side. I am going to break things down and give you guys the realistic odds of each man winning. I am also going to rank the participants based on their chances of winning the match. 

Before I go on today, I'd like to do a quick plug. I am currently working on an online project related to wrestling. Once it is finished, I will reveal all of the details on my Facebook page. If you are interested, make sure to add me.

And now, without any further ado, let's get this show on the road!

8. Evan Bourne

I think that just about everybody is aware of why Bourne is in this match. He's become the new Shelton Benjamin in the sense that he's always going to receive a push before the PPV and be built up as a threat to win.

However, if you think that Bourne is actually going to win, think again. He's not there to win. He's there to pump up the crowd with some high spots.

Chances of Winning: None

7. Jack Swagger

It's amazing how WWE managed to drop the ball with this guy not once, but twice.

The first time was when he won Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 26. It was a horrible move to begin with but WWE didn't even attempt to build him up. They just shoehorned him into the world title picture two days later by putting the title on him and this was only a few weeks after he jobbed clean to Santino Marella. Looking back, I have no clue what they were thinking.

The second time was when Jack Swagger became Michael Cole's personal trainer earlier this year. I know that a lot of people hated the move but that storyline actually had potential.

There were two ways for it to pan out. Michael Cole could've become Jack Swagger's permanent manager and that would've really gotten Swagger over as a heel, just because of how hated Cole is. Swagger also could've turned on Cole. That would've instantly made him the No. 2 babyface on RAW.

Instead, what happened? Swagger and Cole just parted ways out of nowhere.

Either way, Swagger has absolutely no momentum now. If one of the two scenarios I mentioned above had happened, Swagger could've been a serious threat to win. However, that's not the case. Having him win now would be no different from his previous win and it's best to not repeat the same mistakes. Maybe next year.

Chances of Winning: None

6. Rey Mysterio

Now, before I even start, I know that the argument will be made that Mysterio might win because...well, he always wins. However, he's in this match to put the other guys over and perform one or two high spots.

At this stage in his career, Mysterio doesn't need the win. Plus, I'm pretty sure WWE realizes that they don't have much time to build new stars. That's why I don't think that they'll have one of their only three legitimate main-eventers on the active roster win in a match like Money in the Bank that has potential to build a new star.

Chances of Winning: None

5. Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston could be a potential dark-horse candidate to win. RAW does need more top-level faces to match all of the heels that are on the roster.

However, that leads me to bring up the question: Who is he going to cash in on? John Cena? If he were to cash in on Cena and lose, that would be a waste. If he were to cash in on Cena and win, he'd pretty much have to turn heel and that would be worsening the original problem instead of solving it.

With that said...

Chances of Winning: None

4. Alex Riley

The only reason Alex Riley is this high on the list is because he has been receiving quite a bit of a push over the past month or so. He's picked up several clean wins over The Miz and has gotten surprisingly over with the fans.

Nonetheless, Alex Riley is not a main-event talent yet. He's average on the mic and has a lot to work on in the ring.

Plus, he still has yet to develop his own character. I have no clue what he's going to do after he finishes up the feud with The Miz because he's still just "that guy that teamed with The Miz." All of the popularity that he has received has been mostly because of The Miz.

With that said, he's just not ready. Having him win now would be a disaster.

Chances of Winning: Slim to None

3. R-Truth

And now, we get to my personal favorite in this match. In my opinion, Truth winning would be the best option. He's got the most developed character in this match and he's clearly the most over.

Plus, if WWE wanted to keep the WWE title on John Cena all the way until WrestleMania, Truth could cash in and lose, furthering the conspiracy storyline. He could also defend the briefcase against John Morrison when he returns since, storyline-wise, he indirectly cost him a chance at competing for the briefcase. The possibilities are endless and I'd say there is a slight chance of this happening.

Chances of Winning: Slim

As much as I'd like to see it, I think these next two options are more likely.

2. The Miz

I can definitely see The Miz becoming a two-time Money in the Bank winner and, once again, holding the briefcase for a lengthy period until it's his time to cash in. I think Truth would be the much better option but I'm not totally against this.

So far, just about everything Miz has done since becoming WWE Champion has been gold. He did a great job of getting Alex Riley over. He did a great job of getting WWE media attention. He also put on several ***+ matches during his title run. Therefore, I'd definitely want to see several more title runs in this guy's future.

It also wouldn't be a bad idea to turn him face. He has the catchphrase and sing-along quality. If he gets the ball, he'll run with it.

Chances of Winning: Likely

1. Alberto Del Rio

This one seems pretty obvious. It seems like WWE is going in the direction of John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio at SummerSlam. I'm not a huge fan of it because I'd personally give Del Rio more character development and some more big wins to make him seem like a credible threat going in, but again, this article is about who will win and not about who should win.

With that said, it definitely seems like this is the most likely outcome.

Chances of Winning: Very Likely

How I'd Book It

Since I went ahead and fantasy booked the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match, I figured I'd do the same for RAW.

The participants would be R-Truth, Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, Alex Riley, Evan Bourne, Rey Mysterio, Zack Ryder, and John Morrison.

Bourne and Mysterio would be in for the spots. Truth, Del Rio, Miz, and Riley would be in as upper mid-carders who have a chance of winning.

Allow me to explain the other two. I realize that Zack Ryder hasn't really been featured on TV in recent months which is why I'd have qualifying matches. Have him get an upset win in a qualifying match against someone like Jack Swagger and have him going in as the underdog. The reason behind this is that Ryder is starting to develop a cult following. Not the biggest cult following ever, but a cult following nonetheless. At this point, nobody's going to buy the pay-per-view just to see Jack Swagger. On the other hand, I know there are many people who would pay just to see Zack Ryder, especially in such a high-profile match. There's eight spots open, so I don't see what the harm in trying this out would be.

As for John Morrison, I realize that he's injured but I'd get him involved in a way that wouldn't really require him to wrestle much. I'd have him return and win a 6-man tag team qualifier alongside Bourne and Mysterio, meaning that he wouldn't even have to enter that match. In the weeks leading up to the PPV, he would continue his feud with Truth. Then, on the RAW before the PPV, Truth would take him out by re-injuring his shoulder, saying that he won't risk Morrison costing him a title opportunity this time.

So, for the actual match, there'd be seven guys competing. I'd have all of the guys have their moments. To end it, have Zack Ryder "miraculously" take down both Del Rio and The Miz and have him climbing the ladder on his way to victory. Truth then slides back into the ring and the two exchange punches on top of the ladder with Truth winning the exchange by kicking Ryder off. Truth then tries to unhook the briefcase but he can't. At that point, have Morrison hobble down to the ring, wearing a cast. Truth doesn't see him so Morrison is able to shove the ladder with his good hand, sending Truth outside. Morrison then slowly climbs up and unhooks the briefcase, winning the match.

On the next RAW, Morrison cuts an emotional promo on how he's always dreamed about this moment and can't believe that it's finally happened. Truth then comes out and blames Morrison's win on the conspiracy since the briefcase was hooked too tight when he was trying to unhook it, or something along those lines. The anonymous RAW GM sees that as a fair excuse so he sets up Morrison vs. Truth for the briefcase at SummerSlam. Morrison should be cleared to compete by that time.

At SummerSlam, Morrison and Truth go for 20 minutes with Morrison putting up a fight but ultimately losing, since Truth takes advantage of the injured shoulder. Truth then goes on to have a long run with the briefcase, defeating everybody who challenges him. The conspiracy ends and he becomes a badass, unbeatable heel instead of a whiny one. He cashes in post WrestleMania.

And there you go.

Final Thoughts

All in all, this match seems to be less predictable than the SmackDown match but predictable nonetheless.

In this case, though, I'd like a surprise. Not an extreme surprise as in Kofi Kingston but a good surprise as in R-Truth or even The Miz.

I don't dislike Alberto Del Rio. However, it would be better for everyone involved if he waited another year. Right now, he has no credibility at all. I don't believe that he can beat John Cena clean for a second, which is why a program at SummerSlam isn't too enticing. If WWE really wants to make a star out of Del Rio, they should give him time and not rush his push. Let him pick up several clean wins. Then have him challenge for the title. Believe me, it's for the better.

I will be right back here this Tuesday with my complete PPV preview, but until then, I'm out!

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