The WWE Universe has long celebrated its most iconic performers with prestigious monikers that personify their legendary status at specific events. Titles like Mr. WrestleMania and Mr. SummerSlam have become synonymous with Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, respectively, due to their unforgettable performances and consistent excellence on these grand stages. Similarly, Seth Rollins has etched his name into the history books of sports entertainment thanks to his unparalleled success at one of WWE’s premier events, Money in the Bank. With several pivotal moments and a legacy-defining cash-in at WrestleMania 31, Rollins has carved out a unique distinction that warrants his consideration as WWE’s undisputed Mr. Money in the Bank.
Statistical Greatness
Seth Rollins’ journey at Money in the Bank began in 2013. He debuted at the event by teaming with Roman Reigns to defend the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Usos during the pre-show. Since then, Rollins has won seven out of eleven matches at this annual event. His impressive 6-2 record in championship matches includes competing for or defending five different titles: the WWE Championship, the Universal Title, the World Heavyweight Championship, the Intercontinental Title, and the WWE Tag Team Championship.
In the eponymous ladder match for which the premium live event is centered, Rollins has just one win in three attempts at attaining the Money in the Bank briefcase. However, his one victory set the stage for one of the most iconic moments in WrestleMania history.
Memorable Moments
After WWE disbanded Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns, The Shield, in 2014, the company strapped the rocket to Rollins’ back, beginning at that year’s Money in the Bank. In the final moments of the ladder match to claim the coveted briefcase, Rollins had victory within reach when Ambrose, despite an injured shoulder, rushed from the locker room to stop him by battering him with a chair. It was a bitter moment of karma for Rollins, who betrayed Ambrose and Reigns with a violent chair attack on Raw weeks earlier. With Ambrose on the cusp of victory, Kane, at the behest of Triple H, intervened. That allowed Rollins time to recover and ascend the ladder to claim the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Over the next nine months, Rollins held onto the briefcase and its guaranteed title opportunity. Then, at WrestleMania 31, the man known as The Architect of The Shield designed arguably the greatest cash-in ever. In a bold move, Rollins cashed in his contract during an ongoing WWE Championship match between Roman Reigns and Champion Brock Lesnar, marking the first-ever WrestleMania cash-in. Seizing the opportunity, Rollins stormed the ring and informed the referee of his intent to redeem his guaranteed title shot immediately. In the climactic moment, Rollins delivered a decisive Curb Stomp to a vulnerable Reigns to secure the pin and claim his first WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Unfortunately, Rollins’ first WWE Title reign ended abruptly after suffering a knee injury in the fall of 2015. At Extreme Rules in May 2016, Rollins made a shocking return by attacking Roman Reigns, who had claimed the title in his absence. The following month at Money in the Bank, Rollins reclaimed his championship with a decisive victory over the Big Dog. However, Rollins’ triumph was short-lived. Dean Ambrose, who had earlier won the Money in the Bank briefcase that night, cashed in on Rollins to capture the WWE Championship and claim retribution against his former ally after a two-year pursuit. This moment marked a significant chapter in WWE history, as it was the first time members of a faction all held wrestling’s most coveted prize on the same night.
The Centerpiece of Judgment Day’s Collapse
As the 2024 Money in the Bank approaches, tensions within the gothic stable Judgment Day have reached a boiling point. Since last year’s event, Finn Bálor and Damian Priest have butted heads several times, with Seth Rollins caught in the middle. During Rollins’ defense of the World Heavyweight Championship against Bálor last July, Priest’s presence with the Money in the Bank briefcase proved disastrous. His distraction of Bálor allowed Rollins to secure victory with a decisive Stomp, sparking a rift between Bálor and Priest that fuels their ongoing issues.
After a post-WrestleMania hiatus, Rollins returned unexpectedly in June, sparking a heated confrontation with Priest, the current World Heavyweight Champion. Priest then challenged Rollins to a title match at Money in the Bank and later accepted a stipulation risking his position within Judgment Day. That led to a dressing down by Bálor, who confronted Priest about his behavior since claiming the title. Now, as anticipation mounts for Money in the Bank 2024, the focus is on whether Judgment Day will face its demise, with Seth Rollins potentially playing a vital role in concluding the stable’s storyline.
Closing Argument
Since its inception as a signature event in 2010, Seth Rollins has undeniably had an incredible impact on Money in the Bank. His accolades have created several memorable moments that have shaped WWE storylines for over a decade. From his intense rivalries with former Shield brethren to his current role in the tumultuous Judgment Day storyline, Rollins has significantly shaped WWE’s annual crash carnival. As a result, his influence places him at the forefront, synonymous with Money in the Bank’s history and its role in crowning champions and telling compelling stories, leaving an indelible impression on wrestling fans that will echo through the annals of WWE history.
