Why ‘KO' Should Win the 2026 Men’s Money in the Bank Match
During the final Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match on the October 2nd episode of Friday Night SmackDown between Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, and Johnny Gargano, Randy Orton appeared and attacked Rhodes, sparking a brawl outside the ring. ‘KO’ would capitalize on the situation, hitting Gargano with a Pop-Up Powerbomb, pinning him to earn the final spot in the 2026 Men’s Money in the Bank Match that will also feature Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Pénta, and longtime enemy CM Punk. Although Owens is a main event player in WWE, main eventing at WrestleMania and winning numerous championships, he hasn’t won a World Championship since winning the WWE Universal Championship back in 2016. Giving the briefcase to ‘KO’ could nearly guarantee a World Championship reign in the future.
Since debuting in WWE in 2014, Owens has done it all. He won the NXT Championship in 2015, and while still a member of the NXT roster, ‘KO’ made his main roster debut responding to John Cena’s United States Championship Open Challenge. Instead of competing, Owens would stomp out the 16-time World Champion, and the two would go on to have a great feud. Following his solid start on the main roster, ‘KO’ would become the WWE Universal Champion in 2016, in addition to holding the Intercontinental Championship twice and the United States Championship three times. At WrestleMania 39, Owens and Sami Zayn won the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship against Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso.
It’s been 10 years since Owens was a World Champion, and the thought of that is unbelievable, knowing how much talent ‘KO’ holds. The former Universal Champion was recently screwed by Zayn when Owens faced Punk for the WWE Championship during the August 21st edition of SmackDown. With Zayn as the new WWE Champion, it would be an interesting narrative to have Owens as the biggest threat to his former best friend. The history between the two former friends runs deep, and having the two feud for the biggest prize in the game will surely be worth watching.
‘KO’ has a ton of history with Zayn; however, he also has tons of history with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. Owens fought Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship on three separate occasions and lost all three due to the involvement of ‘Main Event’ Jey. The first was back at TLC 2020, then the December 25th, 2020 episode of SmackDown, and finally at the 2021 Royal Rumble. At Survivor Series: WarGames 2022, Owens teamed up with Sheamus, Ridge Holland, Butch, and Drew McIntyre against The Bloodline and Zayn. It was Zayn who betrayed ‘KO’ that day, showing his allegiance to The Bloodline. The former WWE Universal Champion would challenge Reigns one last time at the 2023 Royal Rumble and lose; The Bloodline would beat Owens down, but Zayn would attack Reigns and end his connection to The Bloodline. Getting revenge on the one person who beat you down time after time and had the numbers game on you could be bittersweet for ‘KO’.
Although the Money in the Bank briefcase is usually won by young talent looking to make their way into the main event scene, having this accolade on Owens resume could put him amongst the greats of WWE today. A second World Championship reign would be well justified considering how much time he’s spent with the company, and the fact he almost suffered a career-ending neck injury and bounced back as if nothing happened. ‘KO’ rightfully deserves another World Championship reign due to his dedication in a WWE ring. While he already is a main event player, having both Reigns and Zayn in a state of panic while Owens has complete leverage over them would have to feel personally rewarding. Even more rewarding if he can also surpass Punk in this match, someone who is looking to win Money in the Bank for a historic third time.
