WWE Money in the Bank 2016: Full Predictions for Ladder Match

For the seventh consecutive year, WWE Money in the Bank 2016 will host the always-exciting ladder match to determine the new Mr. Money in the Bank. The winner of the match will earn the opportunity to contend for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at any time and place of his choosing.

This past week's episodes of Raw and SmackDown saw the matchup start to take shape. Six qualifying matches were held in total, with the seventh spot likely to be filled some time next week.

Anticipation is already at an all-time high for the ladder match due to the current crop of competitors and how almost all of them have a realistic chance of winning. It will be that unpredictability surrounding the outcome that should make this one of the greatest installments in years.

The first wrestler to punch his ticket to the event was Sami Zayn, who defeated last year's Money in the Bank winner, Sheamus. In a matter of months, he has already won over the WWE masses on the main roster and has cemented himself as one of the roster's most popular rookies on the rise.

He could come close to capturing the contract only to be thwarted by longtime rival Kevin Owens, who also earned entry into the matchup with an impressive win over AJ Styles on Raw. In fact, Owens is considered the strongest candidate to come out on top in the annual ladder match.

Credit: WWE.com

Owens has been on a massive roll since arriving on the WWE scene last spring, holding a victory over John Cena in addition to two reigns as intercontinental champion. He has been involved in a ruthless rivalry with Zayn since the start of the year, but it is only a matter of time before he sets his sights on the world title.

As such, he would be a fitting name to capture the briefcase this year, especially considering he has yet to contend for the prestigious prize, and this would be the best way to transition him into the main event scene, where he belongs.

But it isn't a guarantee that the former NXT champion will become Mr. Money in the Bank. Dean Ambrose will participate in his third Money in the Bank ladder match on June 19, and it is possible he walks out of Las Vegas with the briefcase in tow.

As JBL noted on commentary during Ambrose's match against Dolph Ziggler on Monday night, he could win the ladder match and go on to cash in against one of his former Shield stablemates in the main event.

A Shield Triple Threat match pitting Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns against each other has been in the works since their split. Not to mention that a Money in the Bank win for Ambrose could lead to him turning on Reigns and possibly picking up his first world title.

Ambrose's recent rival, Chris Jericho, will also be competing in the ladder match for the first time in four years. He constantly reminds members of the WWE Universe that he was the mastermind behind the creation of the contest back in 2005, along with how he has never once been in possession of the opportunistic briefcase.

Of course, the concept should be used to elevate the future stars of WWE, but Jericho winning wouldn't be the worst possible scenario. He has done an exceptional job of rejuvenating his previously stagnant character with his heel turn, and he should be in line for one more world title run before he eventually hangs up his boots for good.

Perhaps the dark horse of the bout will be Cesaro, who has a healthy chance of emerging victorious as well. He has long had the potential to be a breakout singles star in WWE, and him riding a wave of momentum going into the event should bode well for his success in the matchup.

The latest Superstar to qualify for the ladder match on SmackDown was Alberto Del Rio, and as it stands, he is least likely to win the contract. He reigned supreme in the match five years ago before securing his first WWE Championship one month later, but he has struggled to remain relevant since then.

Other than Del Rio, everyone else vying for the golden opportunity in the ladder match this year could feasibly capture the contract. While Owens is the odds-on favorite to become the next Mr. Money in the Bank as of right now, anything could happen in the weeks preceding the pay-per-view.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, is a journalism major at Endicott College. Visit his website, Next Era Wrestling and "like" his official Facebook page to continue the conversation on all things wrestling.

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