5 Ladder Match veterans who surprisingly never won the Men's Money in the Bank

The Money in the Bank is one of the most intriguing concepts in pro wrestling. A unique contract, which can be cashed in any place or time, is present inside the briefcase that must be unhooked traditionally by climbing a ladder.

Considering the heavy involvement of ladders, the nature of the MITB suits hardcore and extreme wrestlers not afraid to take risks. After all, Edge, one of the pioneers of TLC, and CM Punk, one of the faces of the rebranded ECW, have won the coveted match.

However, on the contrary, some Ladder Match veterans have been unable to successfully unhook the briefcase and win the contract. On that note, let's look at five such veterans who surprisingly never won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

#5. Kofi Kingston has competed in 8 Money in the Bank Ladder Matches across several years

Over the years, Kofi Kingston has garnered a reputation as "The Human Highlight Reel." A naturally gifted athlete with undeniable charisma, Kingston has found unique ways of enthralling the WWE Universe, especially in Royal Rumbles and Money in the Bank Ladder Matches.

The Dreadlocked Dynamo first competed in the MITB Ladder Match at The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, and it immediately became clear that it was his type of match. A fast-paced melee with plenty of scope for acrobatics and incredible athletic feats.

Indeed, Kingston provided several memorable moments in the Ladder Match. At WrestleMania 26, he used a broken ladder as stilts to climb towards the dangling briefcase. The same year at the inaugural MITB PLE, he Boom-Dropped Drew McIntyre through the announcer's table from a ladder.

Despite the several memories he gave us, Kingston never won the MITB contract, which isn't much of a surprise today because WWE has historically viewed him as a solid mid-card talent with few prospects in the main event scene.

However, in 2010, coming off a feud with Randy Orton, the veteran of The New Day had some momentum and support from the fans. Jack Swagger won the briefcase at WrestleMania 26, but many felt it was Kingston's to win.

#4 and #3. The Hardys revolutionized the use of ladders in WWE

The Dudley Boyz, The Hardys, and the duo of Edge and Christian participated in the first-ever TLC Matches, and together, they revolutionized hardcore wrestling, especially within the tag team division.

Jeff Hardy was particularly beloved for jumping off the top of the ladder. Who could ever forget his Leg Drop on Edge at WrestleMania 23 that sent the crowd into a frenzy?

The Charismatic Enigma was on the cusp of breaking out as a top star in late 2008, and WWE should have considered him as a potential holder of the briefcase. Unfortunately, despite a couple of runs with the company, it never happened.

The same case could be made for Matt Hardy. Although his singles resume is not as impressive as his brother's, the Ladder Match specialist could have broken into the main event scene following his feud with Edge with a Money in the Bank win.

Both the brothers are at the tail-end of their wrestling careers, and even if they were to make a return, their chances of winning the Money in the Bank would be minimal.

#2. Christian is an underrated Ladder Match icon

While his real-life best friend, Edge, had tremendous success with the Money in the Bank, the same cannot be said for Christian. This is especially strange as the two men were strikingly similar.

However, WWE always saw Edge as the bigger singles star. As such, Captain Charisma never truly broke into the main event, which explains why he never won the MITB briefcase.

In truth, he should have been considered to win the contract at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania. Christian had recently returned to WWE and was sent to ECW. There was much fan interest to see him become World Champion at the time.

WWE could have made the path to the World Title much easier for him by booking him to win the briefcase. Fortunately, Christian won the World Heavyweight Championship soon after Edge's initial retirement.

#1. Chris Jericho is credited with developing the concept of Money in the Bank

Chris Jericho is universally credited as the creator of the Money in the Bank concept, but he also credits Brian Gerwitz for devising the name of one of WWE's most intriguing matches.

Despite being a co-creator, Jericho never won the MITB briefcase. For someone who knows the finest details of the concept, this is a major surprise, especially considering Jericho's caliber.

Y2J was part of the first-ever MITB Ladder Match at WrestleMania 21. The current AEW star would have been as good a pick as Edge to win the briefcase. But, 2012 was perhaps the best shot to make him Mr. Money in the Bank.

Jericho was up against The Miz, John Cena, Kane, and The Big Show. That particular Ladder Match is only known for Cena's hilarious expression as the briefcase was accidentally unhooked from its support.

As the concept suits heels more, Jericho would have been a better pick. Y2J had also recently come off a failed title pursuit and was firing on all cylinders as a heel.

Considering the cowardly and cunning nature of Jericho, the threat of a looming Y2J with the briefcase would have certainly added much intrigue to the main-event scene.

Edited by Sayantan Niyogi