WWE Money in the Bank: Ranking 5 Best Non-MITB Matches from PPV’s History
By Tim Sherry
5. Christian vs Randy Orton – Money In The Bank 2011
Christian’s first World title win was truly one of the best feel-good moments in the last 20 years of professional wrestling. The ultra-talented, Captain Charisma finally climbed the mountain and became world champion at the 2011 Extreme Rules pay-per-view, defeating Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match. After 13 years and numerous title opportunities, he was finally there. However, his new found glory was short-lived, dropping the belt just 5 days later to Randy Orton on Smackdown. Over the next few months, Christian tried relentlessly to regain the championship, even turning heel along the way, but continued to come up short.
More from Daily DDT
- It’s time for Adam Cole and MJF to drop the ROH tag team titles
- Tom Lawlor talks MLW return, AEW opportunity, CM Punk’s WWE return and more
- Eddie Kingston stands to gain the most from the AEW Continental Classic
- Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
- Randy Orton signs with SmackDown to go after The Bloodline
Christian maneuvered his way into another title shot at Money In The Bank with the stipulation that if Orton, at that time bordering on lunacy, was disqualified, would lose the belt. The match itself was a typical Orton/Christian battle, that is, a high-octane, back and forth war. And although this match is not quite on par with their previous bout at Over The Limit and their future No Holds Barred match at Summerslam of 2011, this was the most cerebral of all of them.
Christian was absolutely brilliant on this night. Making the most out his newest heel turn, he spent most of the match attempting to entice Orton into taking the DQ. He pushed him, slapped him, and eventually spat in the Viper’s face which finally prompted him to kick Christian in the groin which led to the title change. The two played the parts perfectly and the crowd was into it every step of the way. You could feel the WWE universe sensing what was going to happen and when it did they erupted for Christian’s second world title win. Orton was not so receptive. He viciously attacked Christian and left the new champ lying in a heap.
Christian’s title reign was once again a short one, ending just 28 days after it started when he dropped the belt back to Orton at the aforementioned Summerslam. They went on to wrestle one more match in a cage on the August 30th Smackdown ending one of the better and more underrated feuds in the company’s history.