WWE's Take It to the Bank: Who History Chooses As Money in The Bank Winners

At this point, the Money in the Bank ladder match has developed its own tendencies. As the first-ever pay-per-view dedicated to the match is set to take place, fifteen men are announced as participants in matches for their respective brand's World Championship.

The way that most things go is that there is an exception and a rule. More likely than not, you aren't the exception, just the rule. The rule is a safe bet and, in most scenarios, the status quo.

As we prepare for the sixth and seventh occurrences of the match in WWE history, let's look at the rules to finding the latest Money in the Bank winners.

Tall Superstars Won't Win

Of the five previous match winners, the tallest of them all was Jack Swagger, who won it months ago at Wrestlemania 26. Swagger stands at 6'6".

This fact brings in simple logic: how is it believable to see any of the taller wrestlers climb a ladder? Better yet, can anyone recall ever seeing a 7'0" superstar win a ladder match before?

Rule: Money in the Bank winners are not taller than 6'6".

This fact eliminates: The Big Show (7'0") and Kane (6'9", even though he is billed as 7'0").

It Pays To Be Young

Outside of Wrestlemania 22, when 36-year-old Rob Van Dam won the briefcase, no other winner has been older than 32 at the time of winning the briefcase.

Rule: Money in the Bank winners are not older than 32 years of age.

This eliminates: Matt Hardy (age 35), Christian (age 36), Chris Jericho (age 39), and Edge (age 36).

Climbing the Ladder

Besides CM Punk's second straight Money in the Bank victory at Wrestlemania 25, no other winner has been a former world champion at the time of grabbing the case.

Rule: Money in the Bank winners are not former world champions.

This eliminates: Randy Orton.

Experience Not Necessary

The common belief is that experience can make you better. With this match, however, it may not be the case (pun intended).

Of the previous winners, only CM Punk had competed in a Money in the Bank ladder match before winning the match.

So, while some can claim that they "helped invent" the match, "put it on the map", or "deserve their shot", history begs to differ.

Rule: Money in the Bank winners are competing in their first Money in the Bank ladder match.

This eliminates: Evan Bourne (WM 26), John Morrison (WM 24), Kofi Kingston (WM 25 and 26), Drew McIntyre (WM 26), and Dolph Ziggler (WM 26).

So who does that leave us?

In the RAW match, The Miz remains, along with Ted DiBiase and the open spot in the match. As for the Smackdown match, only "Dashing" Cody Rhodes is left.

Will these men end up being the victors on pay-per-view? Only time will tell. However, the facts don't lie, and while some of the rules may be broken, some things in WWE will never change.