Ranking the Chances for Each Men's Money in the Bank Participant

Much like the Women's Money in the Bank Match, the men's contest set to take place this Sunday is an unpredictable affair. It helps that two sides of the rosters are colliding over an opportunity to determine the next world champion.

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Where RAW has severely lacked its Universal champion, Smackdown is moving through the motions with a final leg of their lengthy world title rivalry. Both rosters main event are in a desperate need of a shakeup. The winner here could provide just that.

There are eight men with possibly four men with a realistic chance of truly changing the game in the world title scene. Whichever way this prediction cuts it, there's no doubt that like any given year Money in the Bank is where the entertainment is coming from.

So here goes.

#8 Braun Strowman

Braaaauuunnnn!!! — Braun Strowman has been on a roll recently

This one might come as a surprise and a risky prediction, but the truth is Braun Strowman doesn't need the Money in the Bank briefcase to return to the big time. All he needs to do is smash a few skulls before facing the beast Brock Lesnar, in a much-awaited rematch.

In all likeliness, the seven remaining competitors realize the threat Strowman poses and on the night will likely target him for a lengthy portion of the contest. While Strowman is likely to return from near death to a huge pop. He is just as likely to fail after a grand beatdown that puts him out for the count.

Strowman shouldn't come close to winning the briefcase because he doesn't need it, to weaken his aura as a challenger to the championship throne. Eventually, WWE will figure a way to pull the trigger on his much-delayed rise. The question is what if they don't?

Fantasy Prediction: Well then Strowman wins to cash in on Brock Lesnar on a scheduled date at Summerslam.

#7 Rusev

For all the Rusev Day chants in the world, there's absolutely no doubt that WWE wants nothing to do with Rusev for now.

While later on, his partnership with Aiden English and reunion with Lana, may lead to something. In the right now Rusev is merely a small cog in the WWE wheel.

His job here is to play big hoss, provide fascinating collisions with the likes of Strowman, Owens, and Joe; whom he had a great match with just this week.

His popularity soaring it might seem the best time for a win right now, but there's no doubt WWE doesn't see it that way.

Vince McMahon and co. are notorious for disregarding fan opinion (yet we still insist on pushing money into the product). If they wish to even be kind on fans though, there's no doubt WWE will test the limits of the fan's love for Rusev day.

Fantasy Prediction: After a tough win, Rusev cashes in on Daniel Bryan at Summerslam to huge cheers.

#6 Bobby Roode

Whether at the event, by winning the briefcase or otherwise, Bobby Roode is in desperate need of a heel turn. Not just any villainous turn, but he must embrace his glorious 'It Guy' persona to turn around his sinking fortunes.

He's a talented superstar floundering on RAW, much like the rest of the roster with a clear direction to take. Unfortunately needing a heel turn means that Roode is nowhere near ready for the main event push. The kind that comes with a victory in the Money in the Bank ladder match.

If he does win, he needs to do so by hook or by crook. It's difficult not to keep reiterating the point but WWE has messed up so much with this NXT graduate like many more, you can't help it. Roode needs to turn heel and fast.

Fantasy Prediction: Roode becomes the ultimate opportunist by cashing in on AJ Styles and transferring back to Smackdown.

#5 Kevin Owens

Owens seeks another chance at the big red strap!

Though always lingering in the periphery of the main event, for now, it seems like WWE is willing to let Kevin Owens cool down. They hold him out, in hopes that when needed they can feed another top class heel to their superstars.

While his partnership with Sami Zayn is on a bit of a hold, it's not difficult to imagine Zayn helping his friend especially to even the numbers with New Day or the strength of Braun Strowman. One way this could go is for Zayn to cost Owens the match, or help him actually win it.

If it's the former be prepared for another feud in this exciting never-ending rivalry. If the latter then expect Kevin Owens to hold the briefcase over the RAW roster like he is want to do.

Fantasy Prediction: Kevin Owens wins and cashes in on Braun Strowman, after his hard-fought victory over Brock Lesnar at Summerslam

#4 The New Day

It was done with a tag title, so why not a world title?

With the New Day, it isn't about predicting if they'll win or not, but rather who will represent the team, come the Money in the Bank PPV.

If the trio had their way it'd most likely be Kofi Kingston. Not only does he have the ladder match experience but Big E and Xavier Woods have been vocal about wanting Kingston to finally claim world title gold.

WWE, however, may see things differently, with Vince's penchant for big men there's no doubt they might just as well choose Big E.

This goes double if the company seeks to revitalize the New Day with either single glory or a breakup, by sending its potential main event player up the ladder.

Whether they choose the veteran Kofi or the prospect Big E or even the wildly improved Woods, WWE would be smart to let the trio stick together.

More importantly, it'd be just as fun to see them all hold the briefcase and eventually the world title under a Freebird rule.

Fantasy Prediction: Big E pulls a swerve as Kofi Kingston cashes in on Shinsuke Nakamura for his first WWE World Championship reign!

#3 Finn Balor

Demon Balor is calling, Finn must finally answer!

The weird thing about Finn Balor is that if he were to come out to the ring in full Demon garb, then it's quite obvious he is winning. If however he doesn't, he's bound to lose. The problem then is that it effectively makes Finn stupid to not be in Demon makeup all the time.

What this boils down to essentially is WWE's inability to grasp character on a fundamental level, something that has ruined countless NXT superstars.

Now in a Money in the Bank match, it might not matter. Yet in hindsight, it also makes these matches hollow and more importantly lessens the struggle and stakes.

Silly details make an even sillier match that much more interesting. Either way, Balor doesn't really have any momentum or character going in.

What he does have is the fact that in spite of their treatment of him, Balor is a hot commodity for WWE that will always linger somewhere at the edge of the top. This is a prime position for a Mr. Money in the Bank!

Fantasy Prediction: With the help of his Balor Club, Finn Balor cashes in to steal the title from the fallen AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura at Money in the Bank

#2 Samoa Joe

A killer ton of momentum going into the PPV rides with Samoa Joe. Rusev only defeated him this week thanks to the machinations of the Miz. He thrashed Daniel Bryan and Big Cass, while effectively putting the locker room on notice.

What Joe may lack in deteriorating in-ring skills, he more than makes up for on the mike and with showmanship. Though one would be wary of Joe suffering an injury in such a dangerous match. Just as wary should the competition be of his legit threat.

If there's anyone who can take out Strowman by their own it's Joe and after that, the rest of the hoss field wouldn't even touch him. Plus with age catching up yet WWE being pretty high on him, Joe winning the briefcase for one shot at glory seems plausible.

Fantasy Prediction: Samoa Joe breaks down and cashes in on a fallen AJ Styles, to reignite an iconic rivalry!

#1 The Miz

This deserves the best pay off and what better pay off then for Bryan to regain the title he never lost from the man he hates the most!

Already a former Money in the Bank winner, the Miz has the perfect story worth telling come this summer. As AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura put the final stop on their rivalry, it's highly likely that they pay off to Nakamura's heel turn is a world title win.

If that's the case, his next opponent can only be Daniel Bryan in another blockbuster dream match at Summerslam.

Just as Bryan celebrates his return to the top, regaining a title he never lost; the Miz's music hits. With a shocking turn, the Miz will steal away Bryan's hard-earned title.

In essence, building a feud three years in the making with Bryan chasing Miz all the way to next year's Wrestlemania.

It's the perfect story to tell and even one WWE just can't mess up. There's no other man who deserves the championship more and no one who can pull off the briefcase shenanigans like the Miz because he's awesome!

Fantasy Prediction: The Miz cashes in on Daniel Bryan, to build to a championship showdown at Wrestlemania 35!