On October 10, Money in the Bank will crown new briefcase holders, guaranteeing one man and one woman a future championship opportunity of their choosing. While the women’s match features a roster of emerging talent—headlined by the consensus favorite Roxanne Perez—the men’s ladder match assembles a compelling mix of established veterans and the next generation. The participants: CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Penta, Trick Williams, Bron Breakker, and Je’Von Evans. WWE’s decision here carries significant weight; the right choice can mint a new main-event player, while the safe choice risks stagnation.
History underscores the briefcase’s power to elevate unexpected names. Past winners like Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Damien Sandow, and Otis demonstrate that Money in the Bank—unlike the Royal Rumble—often serves as a launchpad for stars not yet at the summit. The 2026 field is exceptionally deep. Veterans Punk, Owens, and Penta bring instant credibility, while Williams, Breakker, and Evans represent the future. For weeks, Williams appeared the frontrunner, his magnetic presence making him a natural fit. However, the narrative shifted following Penta’s show-stealing encounter with Roman Reigns in Mexico City, igniting fan demand for a rematch fueled by a ladder match victory.
Realistically, Evans may need more seasoning before carrying the briefcase, and Breakker’s dominant persona scarcely requires the prop. That leaves the veterans. While WWE has occasionally awarded the contract to established stars—Seth Rollins in 2023, or the ill-fated Brock Lesnar surprise win—recent reporting suggests a different direction. According to Fightful Select, Penta and Breakker lead the internal betting, with Williams also under strong consideration. Crucially, the report indicates Punk and Owens are currently viewed as unlikely winners, a strategic move to preserve the integrity of the SmackDown main-event scene centered on Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn.
That logic is sound. Neither Punk nor Owens requires the briefcase to remain relevant. However, the same report noted that adding the contract to the SmackDown title picture could “juice up the storyline.” That possibility is concerning. If Punk or Owens retrieves the briefcase, the inherent mystery and long-term storytelling potential of Money in the Bank evaporates. The winner becomes a plot device in an existing feud rather than the protagonist of a new one.
Currently, SmackDown’s title picture orbits Zayn, Punk, and Owens. While Gunther and Johnny Gargano loom, the emotional core remains the tangled history between Zayn and his two rivals. A Punk or Owens win would likely trigger an immediate cash-in, extending a storyline that has already run extensively. The probable outcome—a chaotic cash-in foiled by the third man—perpetuates a cycle rather than breaking new ground.
Money in the Bank is designed to manufacture hope and speculation: How long will they wait? Which champion will they target? Can they actually win? Handing the case to a veteran in their 40s answers those questions before they are asked. With Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Punk, and Owens dominating the main-event landscape for years, the transition to the next generation isn’t just preferable—it’s overdue. Choosing Penta, Williams, Breakker, or even Evans signals faith in the future. Choosing Punk or Owens signals that WWE still doesn’t trust its own youth movement. That would be the mistake.
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