In a recent episode of his “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast, wrestling veteran Matt Hardy, who has been a part of both WWE and AEW, provided thoughtful reflections on the initial WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match. First staged in 2005 at WrestleMania 21, the concept for this match was created by Chris Jericho.
Originally, the Money In The Bank Ladder Match was solely designed for RAW brand wrestlers, with Edge securing the victory in the inaugural event. Check out highlights from the podcast below:
Discussing Chris Jericho’s introduction of the MITB concept: “It struck me as a clever idea initially. On learning of it, I thought, ‘This is unique. You win a briefcase that provides you with the power to cash in anytime and claim a title. It seems somewhat unjust, but I like it, and it fits flawlessly into pro wrestling. It’s distinctly sports entertainment oriented. What’s great is that it allows new rising stars to be uplifted and they can secure a title, even if they haven’t properly earned it or gained credibility yet, by just grabbing the championship. It introduces a mechanism where new talent, who’s up and coming, can gain recognition by cashing in and winning it. Even a brief possession of the title can lend them credibility. It has evolved into a remarkable asset in uplifting people and keeping narratives fresh. More than anything, I love the element of unpredictability it brings to pro wrestling”
On his potential participation in the first match: “Regrettably, I was out injured during the first one. The date of my official return to work didn’t coincide with the time, so no, participation was out of the question.”
Reflecting on the significance of Edge’s initial MITB win: “Upon his victory in Money in the Bank, Edge established the importance of being the holder of the Money in the Bank briefcase. What kind of authority does it provide? He effectively showcased the implications. Being the first to do something so pivotal is always noteworthy, your name becomes synonymous with the concept if it gains popularity. Again, this allowed him to cash in his win and secure the World Title, thereby increasing his marketability and adding significantly to his value.”