WWE Money in the Bank 2016: Greatest Matches in PPV's History

Given the nature of the show's marquee match, it's easy to assume WWE Money in the Bank's greatest matches often come when there's a briefcase hanging above the ring.

However, there have been plenty of bouts between just two men that stole the show. The 2011 event is the obvious example, with the match between CM Punk and John Cena still regarded as one of the greatest in WWE's recent history.

But scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find plenty of tussles that should be considered some of the best in Money in the Bank's history.

The ladder matches are also worthy of a mention, too. Although some have flattered to deceive, there have been ones featuring dramatic endings, incredible spots and pure drama that made them unmissable.

Ahead of the 2016 event on June 19, here are the greatest matches in Money in the Bank's history. 

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan (2012)

Credit: WWE.com

When CM Punk beat both Daniel Bryan and Kane in a Triple Threat match at No Way Out 2012 to retain his WWE Championship, fans were desperate to see Punk and Bryan form a rivalry in their own right at the pinnacle of the company's card.

So at Money in the Bank 2012, Punk and Bryan were booked in a No Disqualification match with Punk's title at stake once again, and it delivered on many levels.

This pay-per-view has a tendency to forget about some of its greatest singles matches, given the nature of the show's marquee match and the drama and excitement that often comes with it.

But Punk vs. Bryan was a mat classic that went on for almost 30 minutes. They wrestled their hearts out, and with AJ Lee involved, a fascinating story was told in a way that only Punk and Bryan could tell it.

Punk would eventually retain when he dropped Bryan through a table after a number of false finishes, and with Lee as the special referee, she would eventually count the winning pinfall to continue Punk's incredible reign as champion.

2013 Money in the Bank Match for WWE Championship Shot

Credit: WWE.com

The lineup for the 2013 Money in the Bank match to determine who would get a future WWE Championship shot hinted at a fantastic bout, which proved to be the case.

Superstars like Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Rob Van Dam and Randy Orton made for a great blend and produced a classic.

The immediate thing to notice when the match kicked off was how great RVD looked, six years after his last run with the company. He put on a fine performance throughout, taking some of the biggest bumps of the match.

It was a match filled with dramatic spots, including RVD hitting Bryan with a Rolling Thunder on top of a ladder, which arguably drew the biggest pop of the night.

But it was the ending that also made this match so great, as it provided a huge swerve involving Punk.

He looked destined to climb the ladder with everyone else absent from the ring, but Paul Heyman rolled in under the ropes and hit his ally with a steel chair, allowing Orton to clamber up the ladder and grab the briefcase that he would cash in at that year's SummerSlam.

2011 Money in the Bank Match for World Heavyweight Championship Shot

Credit: WWE.com

The 2011 Money in the Bank pay-per-view was arguably the company's best of that year, and it is the best MITB show WWE has put on to date.

The match to determine who would get a future World Heavyweight Championship shot would have ordinarily been the best of the night had it not been for a blockbuster main event, but it was still a fine match that is well worthy of a mention on this list.

It was a match that, at the time, offered fans a glimpse into what should have been a bright future for so many stars. Names like Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes were all involved, and all would eventually go on to achieve differing levels of success with the company.

There was an incredible spot where Sheamus threw Sin Cara from a ladder onto one lodged between the apron and the announcers' table, a spot that is still remembered as perhaps the most extreme in the show's history.

Barrett was initially the favorite in many people's eyes due to his run as leader of The Nexus, and he came desperately close to winning before WWE went for a feel-good moment, allowing Bryan to unlock the briefcase and claim the glory.

Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (2015)

Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose was WWE's hottest feud of 2015, and although they had equally impressive matches elsewhere, their bout at Money in the Bank was a real highlight in the show's history.

With their rich history as both teammates in The Shield and occasional opponents on the independent circuits, this feud was always going to be incredible.

So when it was set that the two would fight in a ladder match to close Money in the Bank 2015, fans rightly expected greatness, and they got it.

The back-and-forth match, which lasted over 35 minutes, was nothing short of sensational. The action would spill out of the ring, on top of announce tables and ladders, with fans rarely getting a chance to catch their breaths.

And with the ending coming via a dramatic finish, with Rollins and Ambrose crashing to the mat with the title before it settled in Rollins' grasp, a real classic was capped off with a fitting finale.

CM Punk vs. John Cena (2011)

Credit: WWE.com

There is little doubt in regard to the greatest match in Money in the Bank's history.

The 2011 main event between John Cena and CM Punk had been built up so effectively that fans genuinely weren't sure if Punk was leaving the company after the show.

With it taking place in Punk's hometown of Chicago, many expected that the reaction for both men would be thunderous. When Punk's music hit, the noise was almost deafening as fans cheered for their hero, with equally loud booing for Cena when he emerged.

Punk has so often brought the best out of many of WWE's top stars, and he did so with Cena. He pushed Cena to his limit inside the ring, and to give Cena credit, he did the same in retaliation. 

Had it just been a mat classic with a simple ending, it would have still made this list. But Cena's determination to do things the right way before being caught by a sucker punch from Punk only intensified the drama and made the finish even more unbelievable.

To top it all, Punk's escape through fans chanting his name with Vince McMahon watching on was a classic moment that will never be forgotten.

Forget Money in the Bank—this was arguably one of WWE's greatest matches in a generation.