2023 Money in the Bank briefcases must go to potential first-time champions

The Money in the Bank briefcases must go to individuals looking for their first championship.

The WWE is heading over to London, England for the 2023 edition of the Money of the Bank PLE. This is a major annual showcase where the company has an opportunity to build a new star. There are times when the company gets it right, see Edge. For times when the company botches the situation, see Otis, Baron Corbin, Nikki A.S.H, or Austin Theory for recent examples. 2023 is a big year because the company desperately needs to create new stars and the MITB briefcase can be a big step in doing so. This is why both the men’s and women’s briefcases need to go to an individual that has never been champion in the past.

The list of competitors for the 2023 Money in the Bank ladder match is taking shape. Zelina Vega is the only qualifier on the women’s side as of this piece’s production, while Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, and LA Knight booked their tickets for the men’s match. The men can be joined by Mustafa Ali, Santos Escobar, Butch, Baron Corbin, or Matt Riddle, depending on who wins their qualifying matches. Natalya, Zoey Stark, Becky Lynch, Sonya Deville, Mia Yim, Bayley, Shotzi, or IYO Sky are available on the women’s side.

Looking at this group, WWE is taking the right steps in building out these matches with individuals that are beloved by fans, with few that have reached the main event championship. In fact, only Bayley and Becky Lynch are former champions. Does either of the Four Horsewomen need to hold the MITB briefcase? No. They are made women that can immediately be vaulted into the main event picture because of their status and importance to the company. The briefcase is meant to push someone who is not of that level when it’s used in the right fashion. 2023 must be the year this happens.

Take IYO Sky as an example. She was an important women’s champion in NXT and one of the best wrestlers in the business today. WWE has what could be an amazing feud pitting her and Asuka against each other, but there are two many examples of WWE being willing to elevate multiple POC into the main event scene.

The men’s side is a bit more difficult. Outside of Matt Riddle, none of the other men listed so far have been presented as main event competitors. Riddle has gone toe-to-toe with champions multiple times, no one would be surprised if he carried the briefcase for an extended period. Do people want to see Riddle as a main event champion? That’s a whole other question that should be answered separately.

With two well-reviewed PLEs behind them, WWE has some momentum heading into Money in the Bank. Seeing who picks up the briefcases is a big part of this event being considered a success. Looking at the pool of performers eligible, WWE must make it a point to put the contract in the hands of someone that has never been champion in the past.