A look at the updated Money in the Bank card

Dolph Ziggler

After tonight’s RAW, the Money in the Bank card is taking shape, and we have the competitors for at least one of the PPV’s namesake matches as a result.

Right off the bat, Dolph Ziggler is getting his mandatory rematch with Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship. At Payback, ADR became a 2-time World Champion after defeating Ziggler with a kick to the head, playing off Ziggler’s recent concussion. WWE then did a brief storyline that had ADR’s kick re-aggravate the injury, resulting in Ziggler waiting for medical clearance once more.

Well, Ziggler has it, and looks to become a 3-time champion at the PPV. The most interesting part of this feud is how the two men have completely flip-flopped, with ADR turning heel and Ziggler turning face (well, at least ‘tweener’) in the same match. This hasn’t been done very often, and the last time I can really recall it being significant was during the 1988 Survivor Series when Demolition and The Powers of Pain simultaneously switched allegiances.

The next match announced was the WWE Championship contract Money in the Bank ladder match, and Stephanie McMahon was on-hand to announce the participants. It looks like seven men will be competing in the match this year, and they are as follows: CM Punk (who has won the case twice), Daniel Bryan (a one-time winner), Randy Orton, Sheamus, Christian, Kane and Rob Van Dam (another former winner).

Due to the rumours of Daniel Bryan facing John Cena at the PPV (obviously that has changed), the smart money is on him to win the match and become only the second two-time winner in history. I find it interesting that there are only seven men in this match however. Although the rules are not hard and steadfast, traditionally, the match features an even number of participants, and more often than not, that number is eight. The one empty spot shouldn’t make the match any less entertaining (this could be one of the better MITB matches).

Speaking of this match, another match was made in the fallout of the announcement. Ryback entered Vickie Guerrero’s office, demanding he get Mark Henry’s spot at MITB against Cena, blaming his loss on the weak roof of the ambulance at Payback. At the same time, Chris Jericho entered and said he should be added to the MITB match after being s*****d in two non-title matches against Alberto Del Rio, not to mention the fact he is credited with inventing MITB and has participated in more of them than anyone. This led to an argument between he and Ryback, which then led to Vickie making a match between the two. Although it’s not a number-0ne contender’s match, it could potentially have title implications in the aftermath.