WWE Money in the Bank: Why Cody Rhodes Will Win the SmackDown Ladder Match

Having a good manic Monday, Bleachers?

Now is the time to take a load off and make predictions on who is going to come out of this Sunday's Money In The Bank pay-per-view with the Smackdown briefcase.

I have to tell you right now; it is going to be Cody Rhodes.

Yes, CODY!

Not only that, I see him capturing the Intercontinental championship from the monster Ezekiel Jackson some time this summer.

He already has two victories over him, and I wanted him to beat Kofi for the title MONTHS ago!

The guy is doing amazing right now. Red-hot I'd say, and it is about time he took home some gold.

It applies here again for the MITB briefcase.

Some have claimed Wade Barrett is the heavy favorite. Why?

He's already had a taste of World title matches and main events, plus, he was THE most promising superstar just last year with the "Nexus" storyline.

It didn't work, just like Del Rio doesn't seem to work right now either.

Cody Rhodes has a great gimmick. That "Dark Jedi/Shattered" thing he's got going...Solid Gold!

His matches with Rey Mysterio were phenomenal, and now, since he and Ted DiBiase are on the same page again, who knows more about Randy Orton than they do?

Should he get the belt and the case, we would have a guy holding a lot of trophies, and it could make him quite the center of attention. Not a bad way to determine if he is main-event caliber, I think.

I do not want to rehash the old Orton/Barrett feud right now. I say let Wade Barrett get some momentum back and allow him to shine WITHOUT the usual entourage that comes along.

Cody Rhodes taking on "The Viper" would really be NEW and FRESH. 

They have a lot of history. What makes it even cooler is the fact that it hasn't been done before, and that is worth so much on its own.

***A side note: That is IF Randy retains this Sunday.

With all the conditions placed upon him, the champion has his work cut out for him. Like they want us to really think Christian will win without having Orton lose clean.

Despite all that, I would still have the "Grotesque One" with the briefcase.

People seem to forget they have AN ENTIRE YEAR to cash in.

Even if Christian becomes champion, it wouldn't be forever, PLUS you've got Sheamus waiting in the wings, and I suspect he turns "face" soon.

Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes for the Heavyweight title. It has a nice ring to it, I think.

In case I am not convincing enough, let us take a look at who's in there:

Cody Rhodes: My pick

Sheamus: My second pick

Wade Barrett: YOUR favorite, not mine

Daniel Bryan: No chance in hell

Sin Cara: Too new

Kane: The Miz repeats, not him *read this

Justin Gabriel: zzzz

Heath Slater: zzzz

The first three are really the only credible people. Mind you, WWE could surprise us and have Daniel Bryan win.

It all falls into place anyway.

If you have Cody as the IC champion, then Ted DiBiase could finally turn to the side of the light and take the belt away in the future, thus leaving Rhodes an open door to cash in eventually.

The year 2011 is going to be great for the "Grotesque One," and having him win the MITB briefcase OR the Intercontinental title is the right way to do it.

We all know John Cena and Randy Orton never lose clean. I personally would like that to change soon because it really isn't beneficial for their opponents.

Having a guy like D. Bryan win would be the ONLY way to ensure this happens because he has honor and a good sense NOT to use treachery to obtain victory.

Unfortunately for him, it seems the higher ups at WWE don't go for his style anymore, thus removing any real chance he has.

Oh well! Good for Cody Rhodes...my pick!

It leaves the door open for him to step up to the plate and deliver.

You don't agree? Put a paper bag over your head and don't watch!