Chris Jericho credited for Money in the Bank idea in WWE, but Edge’s creative enhancements turned the match into a phenomenon after its 2005 debut at WrestleMania 21, radically altering the path for aspiring superstars. Their collaborative vision not only sparked a revolutionary concept in the world of sports entertainment, but also shaped the way future WWE Champions would ascend to the main event scene.
A groundbreaking addition to WWE’s legacy
In 2005, WWE introduced the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21, establishing a new avenue for up-and-coming superstars to seize a championship match anytime, fundamentally shifting the landscape for talent seeking a shot at glory. This match swiftly became a symbol of opportunity and risk, standing out as a transformative fixture within the Sports Entertainment Juggernaut’s yearly calendar.
While Chris Jericho became synonymous with the creation of the match, credit for the spectacle as it exists today cannot be separated from Edge’s influence. The initial vision provided by Jericho—a ladder match rewarding the winner with a title opportunity—set the foundation for what would become a defining moment in the careers of many wrestlers.
The collaboration that revolutionized the contest
The story of how Money in the Bank took shape involves insight from multiple backstage figures and participants, many of whom spoke to ESPN about the match’s origins. Chris Jericho himself shared that, while traveling to a WWE event in New York, he conceived of a ladder match with a high-stakes contract on the line. Brian Gewirtz, a former WWE writer, contributed the idea that the contract could be “cashed in” at any time, amplifying the unpredictability and strategy involved. Vince McMahon, then WWE Chairman, suggested suspending the contract within a briefcase above the ring, adding a visually striking and dramatic element to the new contest.
Edge, known for his cunning persona, chose to elevate the match further by focusing not just on personal victory but also on creating standout moments for his fellow competitors. Working alongside Christian Cage and Jericho—both participants in the inaugural bout—Edge brainstormed intense sequences and high-risk spots that would leave a long-lasting impression on fans and participants alike at WrestleMania 21.
Edge underscored the depth of his involvement and strategy for the match and his character‘s demeanor as a villain, stating:
I was trying to come up with some really creative, innovative ways to highlight some people and I knew I was winning this thing so that was really the highlight for my character. And also my character was a bad guy, so I didn’t really need to try and do a whole lot, except just hang in there and survive like that cockroach that keeps climbing.
—Edge, WWE Superstar
Edge’s tactical thinking extended to the match’s most memorable moments. For example, he suggested that fellow competitor and current AEW star Shelton Benjamin execute the now-iconic running/climbing the ladder spot, creating one of the match’s signature highlights. Shelton Benjamin recognized the dual contributions behind the Money in the Bank’s success in his reflections for ESPN:
It was Jericho’s idea. But at the same time, Edge is a pro wrestling genius. Between the two of them, that’s what really made the match what it was. I would definitely credit Jericho with the invention, and Edge with the innovations.
—Shelton Benjamin, WWE Superstar
This blending of minds helped ensure that the debut Money in the Bank ladder match would be remembered as much for its innovative execution as for the concept itself. Ultimately, Edge emerged as the inaugural Money in the Bank winner, biding his time and carving out a reputation as an opportunist who could seize gold when rivals least expected it.
The aftermath of Edge’s victory and its ripple effect
Edge’s long-term strategy paid off months after his WrestleMania triumph. He waited a dramatic 280 days before choosing the 2006 New Year’s Revolution pay-per-view to unleash his title shot, securing his place in WWE history. That night, after John Cena endured a brutal Elimination Chamber to retain his championship—a match echoing the influences of both Stephanie McMahon and Cena’s signature heel persona—Edge saw his chance.
Vince McMahon’s entrance on the ramp announced a shocking development to the crowd: Cena’s grueling night wasn’t over, as Edge was set to cash in his contract immediately. Edge approached the referee, handed over his Money in the Bank briefcase, and entered the ring against an exhausted, bloodied champion. Cena, barely able to stand after surviving the Elimination Chamber, fended off Edge’s first spear but could not escape the second. Edge pinned him for a three-count, winning his first World Championship and permanently altering his place within WWE as the newly crowned main event star.
Legacy and significance of the match’s origins
The creation of the Money in the Bank ladder match, with Chris Jericho credited for Money in the Bank idea in WWE and Edge’s vision pushing it to new heights, delivered a lasting impact on both the talent involved and the greater landscape of professional wrestling. The event‘s format, driven by the ingenuity of its creator and its original participants, became a yearly showcase where careers can be made—or shattered—by a single act of daring or strategy.
Edge, Christian Cage, Shelton Benjamin, and other participants from that inaugural match each helped to enshrine Money in the Bank as a proven springboard into WWE’s elite tier. Jericho’s reputation as an inventive force was further solidified, while Edge’s tactical acumen and willingness to innovate set a precedent that other competitors would aspire to match in future editions of the event.
The match’s model, combining high physical stakes with an unpredictable outcome, influenced countless storylines and shaped the journeys of superstars for nearly two decades. The collaborative energy among Chris Jericho, Edge, Brian Gewirtz, Vince McMahon, and the other architects behind its debut continues to reverberate, underscoring the match’s ongoing status as a game changer in WWE and sports entertainment history.
