What is next for the new Money in the Bank case holders?

This year’s Money in the Bank is now officially in the books, and two new, first-time Money in the Bank briefcase holders were crowned. Damien Sandow surprised a lot of people and picked up the World title case, while Randy Orton won his first MITB ladder match and nabbed a shot at the WWE Championship in the process.

Both men have a year to cash in their respective cases at a time and place of their choosing, and the odds are in their favours that they will win the two top championships with only one winner unsuccessfully cashing in thus far, that being John Cena. Will both men be successful in their quests for gold?

Damien Sandow was definitely a surprise winner, one not too many saw coming. Although Sandow has been on something of a losing streak lately, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad for his future. Two years ago, another man on a losing streak won the case and became the World Champion later that year. His name? Daniel Bryan.

While Bryan and Sandow are very different athletes, Sandow is in a similar position as Bryan two years ago. However, things may be more in Sandow’s favour. He is currently a pet project of Triple H, and despite his recent win-loss record, Sandow has been pegged for big things since debuting with the company, and yes, those big things included championship reigns.

While I don’t know when he will cash in or who the World Champion may be at the time, I fully expect Sandow to be successful when he eventually does hand that case over. Sandow has all of the tools to be a top champion, and I hope that him winning the case this year really builds to something major for the “intellectual savior of the masses”.

Randy Orton, on the other hand, is another story. There was really no reason for Orton to win the case tonight, as he’s been an established main eventer for years, not to mention the fact he’s already a multi-time former WWE and World Champion. I do not understand WWE’s decision with Orton winning the case, especially when Daniel Bryan seemed so poised to become a two-time case winner. Having said that, while Orton cashing in successfully would seem to be a lock, I’m not so sure.

Currently, the WWE Champion is John Cena, and he isn’t expected to lose the belt any time soon (or any other matches, for that matter). Orton has already feuded with Cena ad nauseum in the past, and I don’t think this is a feud too many want to relive. Even if Orton does turn heel (as is the rumour), the feud has been done to death. I am afraid we’ll see him try to cash in on Cena, reopening this feud, which is just a waste.

If the WWE Champion is someone else by the time Orton cashes in, it may not be as bad. That is a big “if”, however. Having said all of this, there is also a strong possibility Orton will become the second man to fail in his cash-in attempt. Much like Cena before him, Orton doesn’t need the case, and doesn’t need another title reign. Time will tell, but I wouldn’t be surprised if history somewhat repeats itself with Orton holding the case.