Why WWE Money in the Bank Has a Very Different Feel This Year

While WWE once had a Big Four of premium live events, that number has increased to five since Money in the Bank became a yearly event.

This show has as much impact on the immediate future of WWE as the Royal Rumble and sometimes creates the even bigger surprises.

In recent years though, Money in the Bank has felt like a concept running out of steam, almost a burden on the brand rather than a boon.

The 2026 edition of MITB in New Orleans, Louisiana though feels different. Why? It all starts with perception.

Last 3 Years of Money in the Bank

The last three years of Money in the Bank events have been run under the creative focus of Paul Levesque, who has focused on strong stars each year to win big.

The winners of the Money in the Bank ladder matches: Damian Priest and Iyo Sky (2023), Drew McIntyre and Tiffany Stratton (2024), Seth Rollins and Naomi (2025).

Other top names that picked up big wins at these events: Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Sami Zayn and Becky Lynch.

The booking was strong, and the winners were consistently stars that would go on to play big roles in the company for years to come.

However, the feeling come out of these shows was muted. Most of the cash-ins were completed within a month. The other results felt secondary to building hype toward Survivor Series.

Most importantly, even with fresh names like Sky and Stratton winning, it never felt like WWE had a plan to make the most of their status as Money in the Bank winners.

This Year's Line-Up

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Je'Von Evans and Bron Breakker

This year, WWE has presented a stacked line-up focused on the top stars of now and the future.

Roman Reigns is working a singles match at the show for the first time since 2021.

Stephanie Vaquer, Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan are competed in the most consequential women's non-ladder match since at least 2022.

Bronson Reed and Oba Femi are fighting for the right to be seen as the new top monster in WWE right now.

Most importantly, both ladder matches are stacked, not with top names but top prospects.

The women's ladder match especially is a fresh NXT-trained line-up including all first time potential winners except Tiffany Stratton, who is still only 27 years old and on the rise.

The possibility of fresh stars emerging is high, and the air of this show feels different.

Youth Over Experience

Money in the Bank should be the match that focuses most on the young up-and-coming stars of WWE.

Bron Breakker, Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans highlight a fresh line-up of rising stars. Even Penta (41) and Kevin Owens (42) may not be young anymore but are exciting new names near the top of the card.

Jacy Jayne, Roxanne Perez, Sol Ruca, Lola Vice and Lash Legend are all names that WWE has not seriously pushed yet with a decade of potential ahead of them that could be unlocked with a win.

The fact that Oba Femi is already established well enough to get a singles match on this card instead of throwing him into the ladder match speaks to WWE's new focus.

CM Punk and Roman Reigns are the main representatives of the old guard in WWE on the card, and that is only because they are the top two stars in WWE right now.

WWE has a chance to make lasting statements on the brand's direction with this show in a way Money in the Bank has not in recent years.

Long-Term Potential

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Oba Femi

The goal for Money in the Bank 2026 should be to make clear that multiple new stars are on the rise and taking the power from WWE's reliable veterans.

This is not the time to hold back. Bron Breakker, Roxanne Perez, Oba Femi, Stephanie Vaquer and more should be walking out with big wins.

Moreover, those not winning need clear direction that will carry them through the rest of the year.

With a strong foundation and massive potential, the right booking could show this night to be a true turning point in WWE's history.

Carry that momentum forward, and fans will be eagerly awaiting WrestleMania 43 for its potential to solidify a new fresh focus for all of WWE.