Money in the Bank 2012 Highlights: Ranking Best Matches from Epic WWE Event

The WWE put on another spectacular pay-per-view event on Sunday, as Money in the Bank 2012 lived up to all the hype.

Over the course of the three-hour extravaganza, we got everything you could possibly hope for in a night of professional wrestling. There was technical wrestling, brawling, aerial acrobatics, some insane ladder matches, and of course, the kind of drama that no other sport can bring to the table.

All seven pay-per-view matches were worth watching, but the following three were certainly the best.

3. CM Punk defeats Daniel Bryan

Every time Punk and Bryan have stepped into the ring together, it's been must-see TV. Money in the Bank was no exception, as the two battled for 27 wild minutes.

It was a marathon match that showcased the unbelievable talent and endurance of the two men. Both had their moments of glory, and Punk's finishing move—a back suplex from the top rope that sent both men crashing through a table—was one of the craziest things I've ever seen.

The only reason this wasn't the best match of the night is simple. It wasn't a ladder match, and it was entirely too predictable.

Still, it's hard to knock a match such as this, which featured two of the best pure wrestlers from this generation.

2. John Cena defeats Kane, Chris Jericho, Big Show and The Miz

Any time five WWE legends step into the ring, only good things can happen.

That proved to be true on Sunday, as the five future Hall of Famers put on one hell of a show. From Cena's power squat/toss of Big Show, to everyone burying the giant with ladders, to the epic battle between Cena and Jericho, to the ending that may not have gone as planned—this was a wildly entertaining match.

It looked like everyone except Kane had a legitimate shot of winning in the final moments, and the match provided some incredible highlights. Big Show's gigantic ladder took the excitement to a whole new level. Chris Jericho swinging from the briefcase high above the ring was stunning.

Meanwhile, Cena (perhaps unintentionally) breaking the clasp and bashing Big Show in the face to seal the victory was highly entertaining. It was a great match, and Cena deserves his contract.

1. Dolph Ziggler defeats Damien Sandow, Tyson Kidd, Christian, Santino Marella, Tensai, Cody Rhodes and Sin Cara

Any time the crowd starts chanting "Holy [expletive]" in unison, you know something special just happened.

That was exactly the case in the opening match of the pay-per-view, when the crowd busted out in boisterous applause after watching Tyson Kidd perform one of the sickest moves ever. That was the highlight of the match, but it wasn't the only incredible moment.

Before Kidd's move, Cody Rhodes connected on an amazing drop kick from the top rope, knocking Santino off the top of the ladder. Later in the match, Tensai powerbombed Cara into a ladder and tossed Ziggler over a table like he was a sack of potatoes.

This match definitely had a few irritating moments. Santino's cobra sleeve is beyond annoying and Sin Cara was botching moves left and right.

However, those instances couldn't taint the match as a whole, which turned out to be the best one of the entire night.