Why ‘The Best in the World’ Should Win the 2026 Men’s Money in the Bank Match
On Friday, September 25th, the fifth Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier took place on Friday Night SmackDown between ‘The Prince’ Finn Bálor, ‘The Best in the World’ CM Punk, and ‘The Ring General’ Gunther. While Gunther had Punk in a Sleeper Hold, Bálor went to the top rope and hit the Coup de Grâce on ‘The Ring General’. However, when hitting his finisher, 'The Prince’ would be on the other side of the ring, too far to make the pin. This instantly allowed ‘The Best in the World’ to get the rollup pin on Gunther and qualify for Money in the Bank alongside Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, Pénta, and Bron Breakker.
Back on the September 11th episode of SmackDown, Sami Zayn defeated then WWE Champion Punk in Mexico City for the gold. ‘The Best in the World’ is an eight-time World Champion and is looking to get another world title under his belt before his career is said and done with. Punk is the only WWE superstar to win Money in the Bank twice, and the only person to win the briefcase back-to-back. Both Edge and The Miz won the Money in the Bank Match before, but also defeated the respective holders, Mr. Kennedy and Otis, for the briefcase.
Putting the Money in the Bank briefcase on Punk for a third time would put him in a category that quite possibly no other current or future WWE superstar will be able to achieve. The whole point of the briefcase is to help elevate a young rising star and put the briefcase holder in the main event scene, yet ‘The Best in the World’ has defied many things within his professional wrestling career. Just like Stone Cold Steve Austin’s three Royal Rumble wins, three Money in the Bank wins by Punk would put him in more of an upper echelon than he’s already seen. The eight-time World Champion would be a major threat to either champion on Raw or SmackDown.
Currently, Punk has had feuds with both World Champions on the main roster. He’s recently feuded with Zayn, plus before and at WrestleMania 42 with Roman Reigns. ‘The Best in the World’ could get his revenge on either superstar if he holds the briefcase for a third time. It also could be interesting to see a heel Punk with the briefcase.
Since returning to WWE at Survivor Series 2023, Punk has been a babyface. We have not seen him as a heel since 2012-2013. It would spark interest to see Punk turn heel and have the briefcase once again. Back in 2009, the eight-time World Champion cashed in on Jeff Hardy and turned heel for the first time. Nonetheless, a three-time Money in the Bank winner would be historic.
