WWE Money in the Bank 2012: Power Ranking Biggest Stars to Watch

With the 2012 Money in the Bank pay-per-view Sunday, July 15, it’s time to break down the biggest stars on the card and the impact they will have on the event.

The two biggest titles are on the line as Daniel Bryan squares off against CM Punk with AJ as special guest referee and Sheamus defends against Alberto del Rio, but most of the focus will be on the ladder matches.

There is no doubting that the battles around the gold will be great, but the Money in the Bank ladder matches are what makes this PPV unique. With two very different and very combustible elements to each match, fans don’t know what to expect.

All of the following stars will have great nights, but don’t be surprised if some of the biggest names in the sport aren’t on the list. It won’t be great for everyone.

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Full Money in the Bank Card

WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth & Kofi Kingston vs. Hunico & Camacho.

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match for a WWE Championship Contract.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match for a World Championship Contract.

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan.

No. 5: Alberto Del Rio

With Sheamus and Alberto del Rio continuing their feud even through the injuries Del Rio suffered, there is some talk that the challenger could shock the world and steal the World Heavyweight title.

If Sheamus wins, it will mean absolutely nothing and prove that he was in yet another holding pattern heading into a major PPV. If Del Rio wins, the heavyweight title picture gets a whole lot more interesting.

As much as fans have already grown tired of Sheamus’ title run, he has only had the title since WrestleMania 28. If the WWE is trying to give the title credibility, Sheamus will retain and no one will care.

I’m rooting for Del Rio almost by default here.

No. 4: AJ

With a sudden rise to fame, AJ has become one of the most intriguing aspects of a WWE storyline in a very long time. For those who don’t love great technical wrestling, the company has infused a soap opera-esque feel so that everyone is happy.

AJ will be the special guest referee on Sunday night for Punk’s title defense against Bryan, and there is no way someone can sit here and tell the world what will happen. While Punk retaining seems most likely, the WWE has done a great job keeping fans off their trail.

The only hope now is that the company doesn’t screw up the ending too badly. While not giving us enough of AJ will be bad, giving the fans too much will be even worse.

Leave them wanting more...

No. 3: Dolph Ziggler

With the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match full of stars looking to get their chance at glory, it’s about time the WWE prodigy that deserves the briefcase more than anyone gets his turn.

Of course, I’m talking about Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler has proved for months that he has the skill, look and charisma to be a huge star in the WWE, but he has been putting in the grunt work while he waits his turn. If the WWE is smart, they will give Ziggler the briefcase and let him hold it for awhile.

The briefcase will give Ziggler the new storyline involving the Money in the Bank contract, and it will give the company time to allow Sheamus’ run as champion to continue.

There is nothing wrong with Zig-Zag cashing in the briefcase in late 2012-early 2013.

No. 2: John Cena

Since John Cena guaranteed that he would win the RAW Money in the Bank match Monday night, there has been little doubt in my mind that he will actually do it. It’s the WWE’s perfect excuse to get him back in the title picture.

Many fans feel that he will cash in the briefcase at or around SummerSlam, but there may be a different plan in the works. Since Cena has never competed or won this style of match before, why not let him hold the briefcase for a longer period of time?

There are plenty of great promos that the star could cut with the briefcase and plenty of feuds with heels that want to take it away from him. The WWE should allow the Punk vs. Bryan story to continue and let Cena enjoy the MitB win.

No. 1: Daniel Bryan

If John Cena wins the RAW Money in the Bank match, I will put my money all-in on Daniel Bryan winning the WWE title with the help of AJ. After Punk said "no" to her marriage proposal on RAW, there is little doubt that this is a viable option.

The main reason will be that WWE doesn’t want Cena to beat Punk clean, but having the face of the WWE bury Bryan is another story. If Sheamus can do it in 18 seconds, John Cena can do it in 15 seconds.

While the glory will be short lived—either a few seconds or a few weeks—there is little doubt that Bryan will win the WWE title Sunday at Money in the Bank.

The WWE wants Punk and Cena to look strong, so having Punk lose via AJ’s actions and have Bryan lose to Cena will give the company the feud they wanted.