WWE Money In The Bank: Handicapping The Field, Part Three

In just six short days, WWE's latest themed pay-per-view, Money in the Bank, will come to the WWE Universe live from Kansas City.

As the name indicates, the night will feature a pair of Money in the Bank ladder matches, one from each brand.

But who will win?

It's a question that will surely garner much speculation leading up to the event, but I've decided to get a jump start on the IWC and do a little handicapping for the big matches.

In this four-part series, I'll be grouping each match's combatants in one of four groups: The Favorites, The Dark Horses, The Wildcards, and The Fillers.

Part Two of the series brought us the night's four Wildcards: Ted DiBiase, John Morrison, Kane, and Matt Hardy. Each of these four men could end up winners, or could end up disappearing from the match altogether.

This time around, I'll highlight the four Dark Horses, four men that may not get initial favoritism Sunday night but definitely have a chance to come down with the coveted briefcase.

Raw's "Dark Horses"—The Miz and Evan Bourne

Awesome may not begin to explain the night The Miz might be shaping up to have Sunday.

The man many have tabbed as the next Chris Jericho may be headed down a road Jericho didn't travel until well into his career: the road to the world title.

The Miz has been on a roll since WrestleMania and has to be given serious consideration Sunday night. While I don't consider him the favorite, The Miz appears to be the most realistic choice to win it should WWE continue the trend of having future main-event stars winning MITB.

You'll want to keep an eye on Evan Bourne, as well. Since his unexpected allegiance with John Cena, Bourne has been on the precipice of an apparent push. There has been a sudden renaissance for smaller wrestlers—who better to lead the new surge than the increasingly popular Bourne?

If you believe the Internet reports, Bourne could be in line to fill the void as the "Ultimate Underdog" once Rey Mysterio hangs up his wrestling boots for good. Now may be the time Bourne begins his ascension to the top by winning Sunday night's Raw MITB match.

Smackdown's "Dark Horses"—Christian and Dolph Ziggler

As was the case at WrestleMania XXVI, the fan favorite to win Smackdown's MITB Sunday night will likely be Captain Charisma.

This time around, however, he has a real chance to win it.

Like The Miz, I don't consider Christian to be a favorite, but if anyone will provide surprise to the IWC, it will be Christian. He's immensely over with WWE Universe (both the kids and the 20-somethings), he's a strong in-ring worker, and he's due.

The Peep Show segment with Matt Hardy, and the subsequent tag match last Friday night, have really struck a chord with me. If Christian's time will ever come, it may come Sunday night.

Ziggler has traveled a much different road to Kansas City.

After struggling through constant shortcomings in the Intercontinental Title race, Ziggler stands a mere 10 vertical feet away from arriving in the world title race. And he has a real shot to come down with the blue briefcase Sunday night.

Ziggler is one of the young superstars ready to headline Friday nights. With a face as world champion, a heel winning Sunday night seems to be the better odds.

Now may be the time Ziggler rises to the challenge and grabs the ultimate opportunity at WWE Money in the Bank.