Baron Corbin vs. Carmella: Which WWE MITB Winner Has Most Long-Term Potential?

Baron Corbin and Carmella wait in the grass with the WWE Money in the Bank briefcase in hand, waiting for the right opportunity to pounce on a wounded champion.

Both The Lone Wolf and The Princess of Staten Island are rising stars on the SmackDown brand. Both are in the midst of honing their craft as disdainful heels. 

Corbin is a big bruiser with a hell of a right hand. Carmella is a spark plug who has recently found her voice as a petulant peacock of a villain.

Thanks to the Money in the Bank briefcase each of them now holds, a championship reign is all but guaranteed ahead. As we've seen with previous Mr. Money in the Banks, though, that doesn't always translate to long-term success—see Damien Sandow and Jack Swagger.

Is Corbin a future centerpiece for the blue brand? Is Carmella destined for greatness? 

Breaking down Corbin and Carmella's ring work, mic skills, charisma and character, the following is a look at which of these Money in the Bank winners has the brightest future.

The Case for Corbin

The Lone Wolf has size on his side. In an era where there are so many 5'10" guys around, a 6'8", 275-pound frame gives him a leg up on the competition.

He's no lumbering big man, either. Corbin has excellent acceleration and moves well. His running clothesline where he slides in and out of the ring is a perfect example of that.

His boxing background has translated into him being a skilled striker in the squared circle.

He isn't an elite worker but has steadily progressed in-ring. In recent TV bouts against AJ Styles and others, he's looked quite good.

Considering the former NFL offensive lineman has only been wrestling for five years, he's likely to keep getting better in the next few years, too.

Corbin's mic work has been inconsistent, but he has a strong character to build on. He's at his best when he's dismissing the accomplishments of indy darlings, talking about how much better at the mat game he is than everyone else.  

The freer environment of Talking Smack has seen him flourish on that interview show, becoming one of its biggest stars. He's seemingly more comfortable. His character is more clearly defined, an egotist jerk hungry to fight everyone.

Former WWE referee Jimmy Korderas is among those who want to see that version of Corbin on SmackDown proper:

The pieces are in place for Corbin to have big-time success. If he continues to evolve and improve as he's done since signing a developmental deal, it looks like WWE has a homegrown star on its hands.

The Case for Carmella

Carmella's energy pops on the screen. Whether she's sauntering down to the ring or whining to the ref, she makes sure the audience takes notice.

She's no in-ring wizard but has shown herself to be athletic and speedy. Her strength, though, is personality, which goes a long way in the WWE world.

That was on full display when she gloated about winning the Money in the Bank ladder match in controversial fashion at the June pay-per-view.

Put in a tough spot thanks to there being so many fans unhappy with how WWE booked that historic bout, Carmella came through. She killed it that night. Carmella was compellingly despicable, gleeful and ruthless, suddenly comfortable in the heel role. 

This is not the same Carmella we saw earlier in her tenure on the main roster. She's clearly picked up the nuances of being a wrestling villain.

As WrestleView.com pointed out, her mic skills have progressed:

Carmella is ahead of Corbin on the mic right now. Her portrayal of her character is more consistent than his. Being Ms. Money in the Bank has apparently provided her with rocket fuel.

At 29 years old, Carmella has the advantage of being a few years younger than Corbin. She also works a less physical style than him. That could easily add up to a longer career.

Verdict

Corbin is the safer bet over Carmella in terms of who will take the company by storm.

The Lone Wolf is a prototypical Superstar from a size standpoint. He has put on far better matches than Carmella. Corbin has done well in clashes with Samoa Joe, Styles and in a variety of multi-wrestler contests. Carmella doesn't yet have a standout performance to her name.

That is sure to change with the added opportunities awaiting her, but her trajectory doesn't match Corbin's.

Carmella is bound to be an entertaining champion. Corbin will be a more well-rounded titleholder and remain in the championship scene for longer. The Princess of Staten Island is headed for stardom; Corbin will be a cornerstone of the SmackDown brand. 

The Money in the Bank briefcase will aid him in hitting his peak, assuring him airtime as he digs his claws into the SmackDown landscape.