The Money in the Bank briefcase can be a valuable item when placed in the right hands. It has created huge moments and embarrassments along the way. There are hopes that things will be different in 2025, but there’s a growing concern about Triple H’s creative direction. The 2025 Money in the Bank PLE hasn’t created the most optimism, with just four matches and no major title defenses set for the show. However, there’s a major talking point about who will take the briefcases. In the women’s match, it should be anyone but Rhea Ripley.
Look, everyone gets it. “Mami always comes out on top.” But is the Money in the Bank match a show in which she needs to win again? Key word: needs. When looking at it from that angle, the answer is a firm “no.”
Rhea Ripley is one of those performers who it is nearly impossible to talk about online. Mention one thing that may be seen as “negative” and a swath of her fans will rain down upon you with snark, anger, and much more. Sure, she’s popular. One of the biggest stars in sports entertainment, but she doesn’t need to win everything. Especially when she is what could be considered a “made woman.” Ripley is always within title shot, and that’s understandable at this point in her run.
WWE is heading to her home country of Australia in a few months. Crown Jewel will take place in Perth. The focus should be building her up for that moment where she will most likely stand firm at the end of the show, holding the WWE Women’s World Championship. She doesn’t need to have the briefcase for that moment to happen. That victory should go to someone else.
If not Rhea Ripley, then who?
There are some capable options for who should win the women’s Money in the Bank. This is a stacked group of performers. Naomi and Stephanie Vaquer are perhaps the favorites. Naomi is presenting herself as an interesting heel, injecting her WWE tenure with some of her best work to date. Seeing her capture the briefcase and eventually the championship would be a huge career accolade. Plus, it would open the door to some interesting angles with Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill.
Then there’s Stephanie Vaquer. WWE has continued to build her up as a major name. She took over WWE NXT and the minute she stepped into WWE Monday Night Raw that momentum continued. Fans love her and she’s riding that wave to success in a way that has caught many off guard. If she takes the briefcase, it would be interesting to see if she would be poised to pick up a championship if and when WWE takes a trip south of the border.
Rhea Ripley does not need the Money in the Bank briefcase. She’s going to get a WWE championship back at some point before the year ends. With that in mind, the briefcase is best in the hands of one of the other women in the match. They need it more than “Mami.”