WWE Money in the Bank 2015: Power Ranking Most Likely Ladder Match Winners

WWE only has two weeks to prepare for this year's Money in the Bank, but they will likely prove to be the most important weeks in its 10-year existence.

The briefcase is rooted in creating stars. It has established several up-and-comers as bona fide world champions. This year's field already includes two focal points of WWE's future, and with more participants expected, the number could grow.

It's no secret that Roman Reigns is being billed as WWE's next big thing. After dealing with resistance during a tumultuous WrestleMania season, an effective run with the Money in the Bank briefcase could be the key to fans accepting him as WWE's future.

Neville may seem like a long shot to win but is a favorite to deliver the match's best performance. If he does, fans would easily buy into him as Mr. Money in the Bank.

The rest of the field, while seemingly years removed from their world championship windows, could just as easily capture the briefcase. WWE has been known to go with surprising choices in these matches.

All odds will consider current booking and potential contributions to the future of WWE. It's possible that the ladder match in WWE has peaked, but after this year's very first WrestleMania cash-in, the value of Money in the Bank has never been higher.

6. Kofi Kingston

Why he might win: He won't. But after Big E teased that a win for Kofi is a win for The New Day, a Money in the Bank Freebird Rule could be the most entertaining concept in modern wrestling history. That, or it will turn the briefcase into a joke.

Why he might lose: Kingston is winless in five Money in the Bank appearances. One more loss, and he'll tie Christian's record for most Money in the Bank matches without a win.

Kingston's Outlook: As a member of The New Day, Kingston is doing his best work since his 2009 feud against Randy Orton. Kingston's current status as a tag team competitor make him a random choice to appear in this match, but he'll be right at home with ladders involved. 

There was actually a strong tease of Kingston's winning Money in the Bank last year, as he was milliseconds away from pulling the briefcase down before being thwarted.

This year, Kingston's real competition will be against Neville and Dolph Ziggler for best stunt. A New Day appearance also remains a possibility. Otherwise, Kingston has a better chance leaving with a TNA Feast or Fired briefcase.

Kingston's odds of winning: 11/2

5. Dolph Ziggler

Why he might win: Rusev would need both legs to have enough strength to tilt a ladder with Dolph Ziggler on it.

Why he might lose: Rusev can always distract Ziggler by shouting Bulgarian obscenities to be translated at a later date on Reddit.

Ziggler's Outlook: Ziggler is just a placeholder. Fans would be excited to see him win, but he's in his mid-30s with outside interests and never quite shed that limiting role of "guy who steals the show."

Ziggler is one of two participants in this match with a previous Money in the Bank win, but two-time winners are rarities. Ziggler should be more concerned about looking ancient as he tries to keep up with Neville, who will steal a Ziggler fan or two with every acrobatic dive.

Ziggler's odds of winning: 9/2

4. Sheamus

Why he might win: Sheamus has always been a pet project of sorts for WWE. His career is hit-or-miss, but the opportunities are always there.

Money in the Bank may be WWE's latest (and possibly its last) attempt to solidify Sheamus as a perennial main eventer.

Why he might lose: Despite being in his natural role as a heel and his limited success in connecting with fans—albeit through chants of "You look stupid!"—Sheamus may be destined for WWE purgatory. After spending the majority of his most recent run exchanging wins with Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus is once again running in place. 

Like many midcarders of this generation, WWE tried its hand with Sheamus as a world champion, and it didn't take. His only hope now is to jam a Celtic cross in the cable that holds the briefcase so nobody can pull it down.

Sheamus' Outlook: Sheamus pummeled Randy Orton on Raw, and it seems like these two are headed for a feud. This only hurts his chances of winning Money in the Bank, as their budding rivalry will take precedent over either man's winning.

Sheamus' odds of winning: 4/1

3. Randy Orton

Why he might win: Because he's Randy Orton. Like Sheamus, Orton never has a shortage of opportunities, but unlike Sheamus, he has made the most out of many of them. As awkward as a Randy Orton Money in the Bank win sounds in 2015, it should not be ruled out.

Why he might lose. Because he's Randy Orton. He doesn't need Money in the Bank or a WWE World Heavyweight Championship. In fact, he's the only participant who is above winning. His legacy is already set, and it's a good one.

Orton's Outlook: After taking meaningless pinfalls against overbooked WWE world heavyweight champion and former member of The Shield Seth Rollins, Orton disappeared from television for multiple weeks as fresher faces took center stage.

This same theme will play out throughout this match, with Orton taking a back seat to his younger, more athletic opponents.

Orton's odds of winning: 7/2

2. Neville

Why he might win: As mentioned on the PodNasty Wrestling Podcast, Neville has been kept strong since his debut. He wins most of his matches and is lauded by the announcers in defeat. He'll enter Money in the Bank as the biggest dark horse and the IWC alternative to Roman Reigns.

Why he might lose: It might be too early for Neville. With a weak WWE world heavyweight champion juxtaposed against NXT champion Kevin Owens' clean victory over John Cena, does WWE really want to present its developmental brand as superior?

Neville's Outlook: Neville is more than just a high-flyer whose sole duty is to contribute dazzling spots to a ladder match. He's one of a select few participants who should be taken seriously as potential winners.

If Money in the Bank is virtually a WWE World Heavyweight Championship with training wheels, few WWE Superstars would benefit from carrying it more than Neville.

Neville's odds of winning: 11/5

1. Roman Regins

Why he might win: Roman Reigns won three matches in one night on Raw, including a victory over Bray Wyatt, who rarely loses on television anymore. He'll enter Money in the Bank as the man to beat.

Why he might lose: Money in the Bank works best with any heel or an underdog babyface. Carrying the briefcase doesn't really fit Reigns' character as a top babyface. In order to stay true to his heroic persona, he'd have to announce his cash-in ahead of time, which takes all the fun out of this concept.

Reigns' Outlook: Several scenarios could play out with Reigns as a Money in the Bank winner, and each will significantly affect WWE's long-term future.

A future showdown with Brock Lesnar, a revenge cash-in against Seth Rollins or even a heel turn are all on the table.

Reigns may not be the most exciting choice to win Money in the Bank but certainly presents the most intriguing storylines.

Reigns' odds of winning: 91/100

Alfred Konuwa is a featured columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ThisIsNasty and subscribe to his weekly wrestling podcast.