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The WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view event is rapidly approaching as WWE begins its return to touring. It will be the first pay-per-view to feature live fans in attendance since WrestleMania 37 earlier this year.
Since its inception in 2010, the Money in the Bank pay-per-view has quickly become a staple of WWE's pay-per-view calendar.
The WWE Universe is constantly thrilled and excited at the prospect of seeing death-defying moments in spectacular ladder matches. WWE Superstars battle it out to retrieve a briefcase with a contract inside for a guaranteed World Championship match, good for the next twelve months.
But in addition to the Money in the Bank ladder matches, the Money in the Bank event has also featured its fair share of excellent main events throughout its history.
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With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the five best main events in Money in the Bank history.
#5 Seth Rollins def. Dean Ambrose - WWE World Heavyweight Championship (Money in the Bank 2015)
Seth Rollins captured the first WWE World Heavyweight Championship of his career in iconic fashion at WrestleMania 31 in 2015 by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.
One year after winning the briefcase in a ladder match at the Money in the Bank event, Rollins was forced to defend his World Heavyweight Championship once again in a ladder match at the Money in the Bank event.
Dean Ambrose challenged his former Shield teammate after he had already defeated Seth Rollins by disqualification at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view the prior month.
Despite Rollins retaining the title at Elimination Chamber, Ambrose decided to steal it. The Lunatic Fringe decided if Rollins wanted to retrieve it, he would have to do so in a ladder match at Money in the Bank.
The two WWE Superstars delivered a spectacular ladder match with some incredibly devastating bumps and spots. The closing moments of the match saw Ambrose and Rollins engage in a tug of war for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship that was suspended high above the ring.
This caused the title to accidentally be unhooked as Ambrose and Rollins came crashing down off the ladder set up in the ring. Seth Rollins was able to hold onto the title, thus winning the match and retaining the championship.
#4 Randy Orton def. Rob Van Dam, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Christian and Sheamus - WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match (Money in the Bank 2013)
WWE Money in the Bank 2013 saw a shocking betrayal in the main event between two incredibly close former friends and allies.
Prior to the pay-per-view, it was announced that the WWE Championship Money in the Bank contract ladder match would consist of WWE Superstars CM Punk, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, Christian and the returning Rob Van Dam.
RVD hadn't been seen on WWE television since departing the company six years prior. Nevertheless, he was greeted with a hero's welcome in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ECW's former stomping grounds.
The closing moments of the Money in the Bank ladder match saw Daniel Bryan climbing the ladder to attempt to retrieve the briefcase. He was suddenly attacked by Intercontinental Champion, and 'Paul Heyman Guy', Curtis Axel. CM Punk didn't stand for this and proceeded to hit Axel with the GTS before attempting to retrieve the briefcase himself.
CM Punk's former manager and best friend, Paul Heyman suddenly appeared, seemingly in an effort to cheer Punk on. However, Heyman shockingly then pushed a ladder into CM Punk several times, causing Punk to fall and legitimately cut his head open.
This gave Randy Orton the opportunity to climb the ladder, retrieve the briefcase and win Money in the Bank for the first time in his career.
#3 John Cena def. Alberto Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, Kane, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns and Sheamus - WWE World Heavyweight Championship (Money in the Bank 2014)
Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan's World Heavyweight Championship victory at WrestleMania XXX is one of the greatest moments in WWE history. Dubbed 'The Miracle on Bourbon Street', it is timeless in its majestical feel.
However, the miracle didn't last long for Daniel Bryan. Unfortunately for Bryan, after WrestleMania XXX he began to suffer from a serious neck injury. Despite optimism that Bryan could have surgery and return to the ring fairly quickly, it was later revealed that he was still having strength issues with his arm.
This meant that Bryan was forced to relinquish the World Heavyweight Championship on the June 19, 2014 edition of Monday Night RAW.
It was subsequently announced that a ladder match would now take place at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Bray Wyatt, Alberto Del Rio, Kane, John Cena, Cesaro, Sheamus, Randy Orton and Roman Reigns would all battle it out to become the next World Heavyweight Champion.
The ladder match was fiercely contested with all of the WWE Superstars involved desperate to cement their place in WWE history. The closing moments of the match saw Kane seemingly eliminate the field and allow fellow Authority teammate Randy Orton a clear path to climb the ladder and retrieve the championship.
However, John Cena quickly snuck into the ring and hit an Attitude Adjustment on Kane. This was then followed by an Attitude Adjustment on Randy Orton onto Kane's prone body on the canvas.
This allowed Cena to climb the ladder, retrieve the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion for the 15th time in his career.
#2 Seth Rollins def. Roman Reigns - WWE World Heavyweight Championship (Money in the Bank 2016)
WWE Money in the Bank 2016 holds the distinction of being the night in which every member of The Shield held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for a period of time.
Seth Rollins had recently returned to WWE after being out of action for several months with a knee injury. Rollins returned at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, attacking World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and staking his claim for the championship he never lost.
Rollins was announced to face off against Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event. The match between the former Shield brothers was spectacular. The closing moments saw Reigns attempt to hit a spear before it was countered by Seth Rollins into a Pedigree in mid-air for a close two count.
This was then followed by another Pedigree by Rollins for a three count, successfully defeating Roman Reigns and becoming the World Heavyweight Champion for the second time in his career.
Unfortunately, Seth Rollins' second WWE World Heavyweight Championship reign was shortlived. Just moments after capturing the title, Rollins was attacked by former Shield teammate Dean Ambrose with his newly won Money in the Bank briefcase.
Ambrose cashed in the Money in the Bank contract, hit Seth Rollins with Dirty Deeds and captured the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career.
#1 CM Punk def. John Cena - WWE Championship (Money in the Bank 2011)
The WWE Championship match between John Cena and CM Punk at Money in the Bank in 2011 is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in modern WWE history.
After becoming the number one contender for the title, CM Punk revealed that his WWE contract was set to expire on the night of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Punk revealed his desire to win the title, in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, and leave the WWE it's champion and a free agent.
The following week, CM Punk delivered the infamous "pipe bomb" promo in which he broke the fourth wall, called out WWE executives, Vince McMahon, The Rock, Triple H and mentioned rival promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling.
This led to Punk squaring off against Cena at Money in the Bank from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The partisan crowd was firmly behind Punk and booed every single piece of offense that Cena was able to manage.
The closing moments of the match saw John Cena lock in the STF on CM Punk. WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon and Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis suddenly appeared in the entrance way. McMahon instructed Laurinaitis to ring the bell, echoing the infamous Montreal Screwjob of 1997 with Bret 'Hitman' Hart in his departure from WWE.
However, John Cena refused to win the match that way. Cena exited the ring and punched out John Laurinaitis before the bell could be rung. After a staredown with McMahon, John Cena re-entered the ring only to be hit with CM Punk's GTS.
Punk was able to get the three count and become the WWE Champion for the first time, much to the delight of the Chicago crowd and the despair of the WWE Chairman.
Despite further attempts to get the championship away from Punk, the new WWE Champion escaped through the Chicago crowd with the WWE Championship after blowing Mr. McMahon a kiss goodbye.
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