WWE Money in the Bank 2013: Handicapping World Title Contract Ladder Match Field

It may not boast an "All-Star" moniker like the WWE Championship contract Money in the Bank ladder match, but the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank ladder match could quite easily be the most interesting and entertaining match on Sunday's stacked pay-per-view card.

Seven men—six of whom have never held a world title—will vie for a contract that guarantees them a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship whenever they choose to cash it in. Money in the Bank is often used to elevate a Superstar into the main event conversation, and that will be the case for whichever wrestler prevails in this match.

While every participant in the world title contract Money in the Bank ladder match technically has a chance to win, there is no doubt that some are more likely to leave Philadelphia with the briefcase than others.

Here is a full breakdown of each competitor in the World Heavyweight Championship contract Money in the Bank ladder match complete with estimated betting odds for everyone involved.

Dean Ambrose (2-1)

Some may believe that essentially guaranteeing Dean Ambrose a world title win during the next year is premature considering he just debuted at Survivor Series, but Ambrose is already one of the most polished Superstars the WWE has to offer. He spent many years honing his craft on the independent scene, which has allowed him to become one of the best mic workers in the business.

Ambrose's character is absolutely fantastic as he commits to all the nuances necessary to be a great heel. Ambrose is already among the best heels in the company, and it stands to reason that he may be the best by this time next year. Even if Ambrose hasn't paid his dues fully in WWE, he certainly has as a wrestler. Winning Money in the Bank will ensure that The Shield remains in a meaningful storyline and it could potentially lead to the dissolution of the group later in the year.

Fandango (6-1)

It's crazy to think that a guy who was toiling in mediocrity as Johnny Curtis not too long ago could possibly win the World Heavyweight Championship, but there is no doubt that Fandango is among the top contenders to secure the briefcase. Vince McMahon clearly has a lot of trust in Fandango as he allowed him to go over Chris Jericho in his debut match at WrestleMania XXIX. Also, the crowd has really responded to Fandango, and getting over is half the battle in wrestling.

If not for suffering a concussion, Fandango almost certainly would have won the Intercontinental Championship at Payback. Curtis Axel filled in for him, won the belt instead and was given Fandango's push. That doesn't mean that the WWE is done with Fandango, though. Giving him the briefcase would be the best way to resume his push, and it could very well come to fruition.

Damien Sandow (8-1)

Damien Sandow is easily one of the most talented heels in the WWE today, but the way he has been booked hasn't reflected that. Sandow is largely utilized as a midcard jobber who puts over Sheamus and other face stars. Sandow has also teamed periodically with Cody Rhodes, but they have had very little success together in recent months. The WWE has an opportunity to reverse Sandow's fortunes with one victory, though.

Sandow is ready for the big time from a promo perspective as few are better than him on the mic. He could stand to broaden his horizons in the ring, but he demonstrates a great deal of physicality and viciousness that he can build upon. Sandow delivered a promo on Main Event a couple weeks ago, and he suggested that he would essentially change his demeanor in order to reach the next level. While the WWE hasn't really followed up on that promo, perhaps it will prove to be a key moment in his career.

Antonio Cesaro (10-1)

From an in-ring perspective, Antonio Cesaro may be the best pure wrestler in this match. He is easily one of the best in the entire WWE as well, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he is a strong candidate to win. Ever since dropping his United States Championship to Kofi Kingston several months ago, Cesaro has been stuck in midcard purgatory. He went through a long stretch where he lost basically every match he wrestled, but things have picked up for him lately.

Cesaro is now under the tutelage of Zeb Colter as the duo along with Jack Swagger attempt to mold the United States to their liking. Having Cesaro vie for the World Heavyweight Championship would lend some credibility to their cause, but it seems more likely that Cesaro and Swagger will act as a tag team. Cesaro definitely has a puncher's chance due to his talent and pedigree, but there are a few guys ahead of him in the pecking order.

Wade Barrett (40-1)

Wade Barrett appears to be the total package and a world title run may still be in his future, but anyone who truly believes that he will win the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank contract will be sorely disappointed on Sunday. Barrett is obviously deserving as he is great on the mic, good in the ring for a man his size and has experience in big storylines as he was the leader of Nexus. There is more to the situation than simply deserving it, though.

Barrett has been little more than a jobber since before WrestleMania, and that was even true when he was in possession of the Intercontinental Championship. Barrett hasn't been put in any meaningful storylines, and he hasn't been used to his potential. The argument can be made that winning Money in the Bank could be a stepping stone, but when a guy wins something as big as Money in the Bank, there is almost always a sign that it is going to happen. There has been no such sign for the British Superstar.

Cody Rhodes (45-1)

Cody Rhodes is very much in the same boat as Barrett. He is skilled in the ring, has cut some solid promos in the past and has been on the precipice of world title consideration only to drop out of the conversation. Rhodes is also an IWC favorite, so there is plenty of talk on the Internet about Rhodes winning Money in the Bank. Like Barrett, though, the chips are stacked against Rhodes in a major way.

Rhodes' record over the past year is abysmal as he loses regularly on Raw, SmackDown and Main Event. The WWE seems to trust him in terms of his capability to work with a number of different competitors, but that doesn't necessarily translate to world title success. The WWE simply isn't going to make Rhodes go from jobber to No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship overnight. Rhodes once seemed like a sure thing in terms of becoming a world champion. He's still young, so the door isn't shut for him yet, but he isn't even in the ballpark at this point.

Jack Swagger (50-1)

As the only competitor in this match who has won a Money in the Bank ladder match as well as the World Heavyweight Championship, Jack Swagger has the advantage from a kayfabe perspective. Realistically speaking, though, it is very unlikely that he will ascend to the top of the ladder and retrieve the blue briefcase. Swagger is just coming off a world title feud with Alberto Del Rio, which included a match at WrestleMania, so he isn't going to be thrown back into the mix already.

Also, the creative team appears to have plans for Swagger and Cesaro as a possible tag team. A feud between the duo of Swagger and Cesaro as well as Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio would be quite interesting if and when Mysterio returns to action. Whatever the case, Swagger is not a contender to win this match. He has already reached the World Heavyweight Championship level in the past and since this match appears to be about elevating a new talent, Swagger is going to be passed over.

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