WWE Money in the Bank Participants: Breaking Down SmackDown's 8-Man Ladder Match

We are now just over a week away from WWE's second annual Money in the Bank pay-per-view.  What started as a single match at WrestleMania has now grown into a full blown event.

Headlined by two Money in the Bank ladder matches, the pay-per-view promises to be one of the most memorable events of the year.  With 16 superstars from both brands fighting for a contract that will guarantee them a shot at either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship, and so far a guarantee that the contract holder will win the title, the ladder matches are sure to include some great competition.

On the SmackDown side participants include former champions in Kane and Sheamus and rookies such as Sin Cara and Heath Slater.  It also features many superstars looking for their big breakout moment, as Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes and Daniel Bryan have all had relative success, but have yet to reach that main event status.

So what will SmackDown's Money in the Bank ladder match hold in store for us?  What chance do each of the competitors have at obtaining that sought after briefcase?  Here's a look at each superstar and possible scenarios for what is sure to be one of the best pay-per-views in months.

Heath Slater

Though he is a former WWE Tag Team Champion, I have no idea why Heath Slater is in this match.

Heath Slater is going to have a difficult time keeping his job once he splits with Justin Gabriel.  Though his in-ring skills are good enough, he lacks the mic skills and charisma that is a necessity for any superstar.

Slater is going to be that guy that everyone forgets was in the Money in the Bank ladder match six months from now.  Do you remember that Matt Hardy was in the 2006 Money in the Bank match?  No?  You won’t remember Slater either.

He might be good for a few spots, but don’t expect anything memorable from Slater.

ODDS:  40:1

Sin Cara

Sin Cara has been really hit or miss since arriving in WWE.  He was originally criticized for “botching” his entrance and several moves in his first few appearances, but has recently improved, and the criticism has seemingly stopped.

Though he receives a great response from the fans, especially the younger ones, Sin Cara is still a WWE rookie, and he is years from becoming a WWE superstar that will be headlining shows.

Sin Cara is in the Money in the Bank ladder match for one reason, and one reason only; to provide some high-flying, daredevil moves.

There is always at least one superstar who goes above and beyond to create the “what-the-****” moment of the ladder match.  This year the SmackDown match has Sin Cara as that superstar.

Though he could be very entertaining to watch, don’t take Sin Cara as a serious competitor.

ODDS:  27:1

Daniel Bryan

While he may be one of the most technically sound wrestlers in WWE, Daniel Bryan is far from a main event superstar.

Bryan is likely going to remain in WWE’s mid-card for most if not all of his career.  His appearance in the Money in the Bank ladder match will likely turn into the equivalent of former appearances by superstars like Shelton Benjamin.  He’ll be good for a few exciting spots throughout the match, but he won’t end up being a serious competitor.

While I don’t consider Bryan to be the longest shot to grab the briefcase, I just can’t see any reason for him to win.  He lacks the mic skills and charisma of a main event superstar like Randy Orton, Christian or Sheamus.

ODDS:  24:1

Kane

Last year’s SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match winner is back this year to try and become the second superstar to win back to back matches.

Kane shocked everyone last year when he grabbed the briefcase, winning the first ever SmackDown exclusive briefcase.  He then cashed in his contract later that night and became the new World Heavyweight Champion.  He then held onto the title for nearly six months.

While history could repeat itself this year, it seems rather unlikely that the creative team at WWE would want to push Kane again with another World Heavyweight Title run.  His last run gave him the recognition as a world champion that he deserved, but he has slowly been drifting back down the card, and will likely remain there until it is time for him to retire.

While it’s not out of the question, Kane probably won’t be your Money in the Bank winner.

ODDS:  20:1

Justin Gabriel

If there is going to be a surprise winner in this year’s SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match, it will be Justin Gabriel.

Gabriel has all the tools to become a future WWE Champion, but since the disintegration of the original Nexus, Gabriel has been stuck with the thorn in his side partner, Heath Slater, and has been placed in meaningless feuds that seem to come and go without warning.

Now that the pieces might finally be in place for Justin Gabriel to finally break out on his own, will the Money in the Bank contract be his ticket to stardom?

Remember what the Money in the Bank contract did for superstars like Edge and Jack Swagger, why could the same happen to Justin Gabriel?

ODDS:  16:1

Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes has gone from a superstar who lacked any memorable traits to one of the most refreshing and unique wrestlers in just over a year.  His growth as a superstar makes him one of the most obvious choices to win SmackDown’s Money in the Bank ladder match.  However, I don’t think he’s going to be the one to pull down the briefcase.

As much as I would love to see Cody Rhodes finally step into the spotlight and take on Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship, there just seems to be way too much hype surrounding him going into Money in the Bank.

Rhodes is nearly everyone’s favorite to win the Money in the Bank match, as many would love to see Rhodes go toe-to-toe with, or even take the title from, his former Legacy leader, Randy Orton.  If past Money in the Bank ladder matches are any indication as to what will happen, the favorite usually does not do very well in the match itself.

Jack Swagger surprised us all in the last WrestleMania installment, while Kane and The Miz shocked us at last year’s pay-per-view.  This year, we’ll get another small surprise.

Cody may be the favorite to many, but he’s not my pick.

ODDS:  7:1

Wade Barrett

Wade Barrett has flirted with WWE gold in the past, and this year’s Money in the Bank ladder match might be just the route he needs to get back into the title picture.

Wade Barrett had a successful feud with John Cena on Monday Night Raw back when he was the leader of the original Nexus.  When he forced John Cena to join Nexus, many fans thought that he would be able to use that as  leverage to win the WWE Title, but somehow the title eluded him.

After a run as the Intercontinental Champion, it seems like this is the perfect opportunity to push Wade back into the main event scene.  If he wins, he could become the SmackDown equivalent of The Miz, who would go from mid card champion to top heel in one year.

He’s not a guarantee, but there’s a good chance that Wade Barrett walks out of Chicago with the Money in the Bank contract.

ODDS:  6:1

Sheamus

This is Sheamus’ first Money in the Bank ladder match, but that won’t stop him from being one of, if not the biggest favorite to win.

Sheamus is already a two time WWE Champion on Monday Night Raw, but has yet to prove himself on Friday nights.  Since the draft, Christian and Randy Orton have hogged the spotlight but Sheamus has recently made his name known after attacking both the champion and challenger on last week’s edition of SmackDown.

Sheamus has already proven that he can compete with the biggest names in WWE, having defeated John Cena for his first WWE Championship.  With Randy Orton taking the role of the top guy on SmackDown, there is no doubt in my mind that Sheamus could effectively feud with The Viper.

Sheamus is my pick to win the Money in the Bank ladder match.  He’s not quite a sleeper, but he’d definitely flying far enough under the radar for me to think that he’s not the obvious choice, but the right choice nonetheless.

ODDS:  3:1