Brock Lesnar – Syndication Server

WWE Money in the Bank winners — Every briefcase winner and how they fared when cashing in

Check out the complete history of WWE Money in the Bank winners, including every briefcase winner and how they fared when cashing in.

Originally the brainchild of Chris Jericho, the Money in the Bank Ladder Match has gone from being an entertaining gimmick match to one of the most anticipated subplots of any WWE calendar year. It’s changed and expanded to multiple brands and the women’s division, and become the focus of its own event, joining the likes of WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and SummerSlam as one of the most important that WWE puts on.

At its core, however, is a simple and compelling idea: Whoever outfights and outwits a group of hungry competitors and grabs the namesake briefcase has a guaranteed title shot they can use any time, any place, for one year. It’s the WWE’s equivalent of a golden ticket, and the anticipation for when a briefcase might get cashed in has become drama in its own right.

As Money in the Bank has risen in prominence, its history has grown as well. Let’s take a look at a complete history of WWE Money in the Bank winners, including how the winners fared when they eventually cashed in their contracts.

Last updated on April 7, 2024.

Elimination Chamber winners: Every WWE wrestler to win an Elimination Chamber match

Check out our Elimination Chamber winners list, with details on every WWE wrestler to enter and win Elimination Chamber matches since 2002.

The Elimination Chamber is the answer to a question many wrestling fans probably never thought they’d ask: What’s more formidable than a match inside a steel cage?

WWE came up with it anyway in 2002. Said to be the brainchild of Triple H and Eric Bischoff, the Elimination Chamber combines the brutality of a steel cage match with the chaos and “who’s next” suspense of the Royal Rumble. And the structure itself is a key component, with its roofed cage and four pods — which have become central to some of the match’s most creative spots over the years.

Like the Royal Rumble, the Elimination Chamber has gone on to become the star of its own series of premium live events, with men’s and women’s versions of its namesake match. Not bad for a gimmick match that was originally a brand-only affair.

After the 2023 Elimination Chamber event in Montreal, WWE will be past 30 total Elimination Chamber matches, with no end in sight. Let’s take a look back at every winner since the first one was held in 1992.

Will Brock Lesnar ever wrestle in WWE again?

Given his potential involvement in the latest Vince McMahon sex trafficking allegations, Brock Lesnar might be gone from WWE for good.

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Prior to last week, it would have been surprising for Brock Lesnar not to appear either at Royal Rumble or somewhere leading up to WrestleMania. Now it wouldn’t be shocking if the 10-time world champion never competes in a WWE ring again.

The big thing that changed since last week at this time was the release of the bombshell Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit. Among the many disturbing allegations contained within was the idea that Vince McMahon used the possibility of sex with the plaintiff, a former WWE employee named Janel Grant, as an enticement for a former UFC heavyweight champion to re-sign with the company.

Though Lesnar wasn’t named explicitly in the lawsuit, The Wall Street Journal, which broke the news as it has throughout McMahon’s sexual abuse NDA scandals since the summer of 2022, confirmed with sources that he was the talent in question.

Depending on the time of year, that might not have been an issue since Lesnar hasn’t been around WWE since last August, when he lost to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. But that wasn’t the case with the lawsuit coming the week of Royal Rumble, in which he was reportedly set to participate.

Fightful Select (subscription required) confirmed earlier reports in multiple outlets that Lesnar was going to be part of the Men’s Royal Rumble until his name being brought up in the Grant lawsuit forced WWE to change its plans. His travel to Tampa was canceled, and his spot in the Rumble was essentially given over to Bron Breakker.

But that’s not all, as Lesnar’s removal had a ripple effect on the next WWE premium live event as well.

Wrestling Observer reported that Bron Breakker was effectively given Brock Lesnar’s spot, and eliminations, which Fightful has since learned was accurate. This surprised many, as Dominik Mysterio ended up eliminating Breakker, however POST Wrestling also accurately reported that Lesnar was scheduled to face Dominik at WWE Elimination Chamber.

It might not stop with Elimination Chamber next month. While Lesnar wasn’t confirmed to be on the WrestleMania 40 card in Philadelphia, WWE usually tries to ensure he has a match on its biggest show, and Fightful added that ” Lesnar was discussed as a potential opponent for Gunther at WrestleMania.”

It’s important to recognize that at the moment, Grant’s allegations are just that. That said, WWE will likely not want to use Lesnar until such time that he might be cleared of wrongdoing — and that’s only if he is.

Also per Fightful:

One WWE source said that it could be a long time before we see Lesnar again, unless something drastic changes.

Looking beyond that makes one wonder whether Lesnar will ever step foot inside a WWE ring again. He’ll turn 47 this summer, and while he’s a unique physical specimen who clearly keeps himself in top notch shape, he’s also never appeared all that deeply in love with the pro wrestling business. It wouldn’t be shocking if he simply decides it’s not worth the hassle and never returns.

If that turns out to be the case, the last memory WWE fans will have of the Beast Incarnate will be one of him paying an unscripted moment of respect to Rhodes after their SummerSlam match. That’s a high note to go out on as a wrestler, though any good will from it will be understandably washed away if he’s found to have been a willing participant in Grant’s alleged abuse.

Royal Rumble winners list: Every wrestler to win a WWE Royal Rumble

Check out a full list of WWE Royal Rumble winners over the years, plus fun stats on entry number, most eliminations and more.

There’s nothing in pro wrestling quite like the Royal Rumble. While there have been and always will be other battle royals, WWE has distilled the over-the-top extravaganza into something that has withstood the test of time.

Since 1988, the promotion has had at least one Royal Rumble a year, with one for men and women held annually since 2018. Not only have fans fallen in love with the core concept, to the point that they enthusiastically count down from 10 each time a new wrestler enters the fray, they’ve also come to expect legends and surprises — which WWE generally delivers.

Another great aspect that has become part of the Royal Rumble’s DNA over time is the prize: an opportunity to challenge for a world championship at WrestleMania, making the Rumble the official kickoff on the road to WWE’s biggest show of each calendar year.

Naturally, that means it’s quite an honor to win a Rumble match. Even with the event heading toward its 40th anniversary later this decade, the list of Royal Rumble winners is still a pretty exclusive club.

Let’s take a look at every Royal Rumble winner ever, year by year.

Will Brock Lesnar be at the 2024 Royal Rumble? That question just got a lot thornier

Would WWE really trot out Brock Lesnar after his implication in the new Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit?

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The Road to WrestleMania is also usually Brock Lesnar season. Even when WWE doesn’t have a specific program planned for him, which was the case last year when he reportedly wrestled Omos and bounced, it finds a way to work him into its biggest show of the year.

With that in mind, many expected an unannounced Lesnar appearance this weekend at the Royal Rumble in Florida. Though no one really thought he’d win the Rumble match, the idea was that he’d participate and get the crowd to pop, and perhaps his interactions during the match would point toward whatever his WrestleMania match was going to be.

No well-connected WWE insiders ever came right out and said Lesnar was going to be in the Men’s Royal Rumble, but it was clear they thought it was very possible. That thinking has done a complete 180 over the last 24 hours, however, after the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of the explosive new sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon.

Lesnar isn’t mentioned by name in the suit, but there are descriptions of McMahon offering sex with the plaintiff as an enticement to an ex-UFC heavyweight champion that he was hoping to re-sign with WWE. The Journal left no doubt about who that was, saying, “People familiar with the matter identified the wrestler as Brock Lesnar, one of WWE’s biggest names.”

That’s led to some rethinking about whether WWE would risk having Lesnar participate this weekend. Fightful Select (subscription required) said that “Royal Rumble was originally discussed as a potential target” for his return, “but it was noted that in light of Lesnar’s implied inclusion in the Vince McMahon lawsuit, that may change.”

Dave Meltzer echoed that thinking in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required) this week:

Outside talent has been told to keep quiet and the only surprise we knew of, who may not be there, is Brock Lesnar. Lesnar was part of the Janel Grant lawsuit, and while not sued directly, there were many passages related to him.

It’s well known that WWE tinkers with the Rumble matches often right up to the last minute, and with Lesnar not presumably in the mix to win this one, the risk vs. reward calculus simply doesn’t suggest his presence would be a positive. The guess here is that it would now be a surprise if Lesnar’s music did hit during the Men’s Royal Rumble match, but if it does, it will be one more question Triple H and company will likely have to answer after the show.

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New Vince McMahon sex trafficking allegations also include John Laurinaitis, Brock Lesnar

The most detailed sexual abuse allegations to date against Vince McMahon include the former WWE exec and a huge star.

WWE is under new leadership these days as part of TKO, with Vince McMahon in a less prominent day-to-day role. Yet it still might not be able to distance itself from his alleged misdeeds, as a new, highly detailed lawsuit has been filed that accuses McMahon of sex trafficking and names both a longtime former WWE executive and a star who is still currently active as participants.

The Wall Street Journal, which first broke the story in the summer of 2022 about McMahon making payments that ended up totaling nearly $20 million to cover up alleged sexual misconduct against multiple victims, today published an article explaining a new lawsuit (warning: article contains graphic sexual language and details throughout) filed by one of those accusers, a woman named Janel Grant.

According to the lawsuit, Grant claims that McMahon first hired her to WWE’s legal department in 2019, creating a job that was mostly for show but saying it “has to look legit.” She goes on to accuse McMahon of abusing her sexually for years, sharing explicit texts and videos of her with others, and arranging for her to have sex with other men.

One of those men is John Laurinaitis, who is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit and has been included in earlier accusations against McMahon. Another will come as a bigger shock to people who follow WWE: Brock Lesnar, who the Journal’s sources identified as the recipient of McMahon’s request for Grant to “create personalized sexual content for a WWE superstar that he was trying to re-sign.”

As with other alleged McMahon victims, Grant did sign an NDA two years ago to remain silent on her relationship with McMahon in exchange for a $3 million payment. However, her new lawsuit suggests she received only an initial $1 million installment, and thus looks to void the agreement in exchange for additional financial damages.

The WWE’s board of directors began an internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and McMahon’s payments to keep them quiet two years ago, which led to his brief retirement that summer. Yet even after additional payments came to light, he was able to successfully engineer a return to power in January 2023, replacing some board members to ensure there was little chance of further complications for him within the company.

WWE has since become part of TKO under the corporate oversight of Endeavor, and McMahon’s influence has in most important ways shrunken to its lowest level in decades. What the new lawsuit suggests, though, is that the full extent of his personal scandal may yet to be revealed, and that legal questions may continue to dog him — and WWE — despite his best efforts to evade them.

Brock Lesnar is expected back on WWE TV ahead of Royal Rumble or WrestleMania

Don’t be shocked to see Brock Lesnar on next week’s WWE Raw or shortly thereafter.

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If it’s almost WrestleMania season, does that mean it’s also Brock Lesnar SZN?

According to one prominent pro wrestling insider, yes. Yes it does.

Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer addressed the likely return of the Beast Incarnate ahead of WWE’s showcase event on the most recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. And the timetable for a Lesnar return is simple: Next Monday (Jan. 22) if he’s going to be in the Royal Rumble match, or in the next few weeks if he’s being aimed just for WrestleMania instead.

At any time. Yes, maybe next week. I would think that [last night] would not be the week to have Brock Lesnar return, given that this might be one of the lower-rated shows, considering they went against the football game and the Emmy Awards. So if he’s going to return for the Rumble, next week would be the week. If he’s going to return shortly after, then it could be a couple of weeks later. But he’s going to be back. It’ll be interesting to see who he’s back — I mean, I would presume he’s in the Rumble.

Lesnar was last seen in a WWE ring last year at SummerSlam, where he lost to Cody Rhodes. That match was notable for Lesnar’s post-match handshake, a rare sign of explicit respect that surprised even the American Nightmare.

While Lesnar wasn’t a major focal point of WrestleMania 39 last April, he was still involved, defeating Omos in the opening match of night 2. One possibility for the 46-year-old that wouldn’t involve a main event slot would be a showdown with Intercontinental Champion Gunther, who has spoken openly about his desire to face Lesnar to “validate” his current run.

With several good options for Royal Rumble winners on the men’s side this year, the Rumble match doesn’t feel like it needs Lesnar, but it could definitely still be used to set something up for him that would pay off at WrestleMania — and Gunther, for example, has already declared for the Rumble. Keep a close eye on the Jan. 22 episode of Raw and subsequent editions to see if that familiar entrance music brings the Beast Incarnate bounding back into a WWE ring.

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UFC Fight Night 234’s Jim Miller agrees with Anthony Smith: ‘I could kimura Brock Lesnar’

Jim Miller won’t entirely rule out his chances against Brock Lesnar.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] won’t entirely rule out his chances against [autotag]Brock Lesnar[/autotag].

Anthony Smith turned heads when he said a fight between Miller and former UFC heavyweight champion Lesnar would be 50-50, and that he’d definitely pick Miller on the street.

When Miller was asked about Smith’s remarks, the long-tenured UFC veteran laughed, but wasn’t completely dismissive of his chances – even though he knows it very well could go south for him.

“Years ago, Ronda (Rousey) said she thinks she could beat Cain (Velasquez), and that’s a difficult fight, right?, Miller told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday for UFC Fight Night 234. “But the mentality has to be there. When you start walking to the octagon, it is the loneliest place on the planet. I firmly believe in training like you’re an up-and-comer, training like the guy you’re fighting is better than you and they’re doing more than you and doing it better than you are. The moment that it’s fight day and you start – you have to be the most confident person on the planet. Yeah, it would be scary as sh*t, but I’m going to walk to that octagon, hopefully, knowing that my bank account is going to get a big bump.

“Like, ‘Hey, we’re going to take this.’ I’ve trained with plenty of heavyweights through the years. My team now is a little bit smaller than me. Training is training, and I’m not a fan of keeping score, but I’ve trained with plenty of heavyweight world champ grapplers and stuff like that and I’ve subbed ’em out. So I know that if I can isolate something, I could kimura Brock Lesnar. I know that I could because I can lift enough. I can deadlift over 500 pounds. I can straighten the guy’s arm. He can’t single-arm curl 500 pounds. So it’s about isolating and stuff like that. It’s going to suck. I don’t want to be underneath him, but I appreciate the push. We’ll take it: 50/50.”

Miller (36-17 MMA, 25-16 UFC) returns to action in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 234 main card against Gabriel Benitez (23-11 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 234.

Matt Riddle suggests Brock Lesnar said he was winning 2022 Royal Rumble and ‘nobody stood up to him’

If Brock Lesnar decides he’s winning the WWE Royal Rumble, is it possible no one tells him no?

The bygone days of pro wrestling are full of tales of wrestlers throwing their star power around to get creative changed in their favor. We’re talking the “that doesn’t work for me, brother” Hulk Hogan type stuff. Not so much in more recent times, but Matt Riddle wants us to believe it took place in WWE just two years ago and changed the finish to the 2022 Royal Rumble.

Riddle’s time with WWE is now over thanks to his September 2023 release, and he’s already popped up in MLW and NJPW. Perhaps that’s why he’s been willing to talk about things that happened while he was there, and his most talked about claim to date has to do with Brock Lesnar.

During a virtual signing session this week with Signed by Superstars, Riddle claimed he was told he’d be winning the Men’s Royal Rumble match two years ago, but Lesnar decided he was going to win and no one decided to argue the point with the Beast Incarnate (h/t Wrestling Observer for the transcription).

So, I believe … you know, it’s sports entertainment. But I was told at one point I was going to win the Rumble and everything else. And then what was it? Bobby Lashley beat Brock Lesnar because somebody came in and hit him with the belt or what have you. Then Brock came in, didn’t want to do business with everybody, said he was winning (The Royal Rumble), and then he won. None of the producers, nobody stood up to him and they let him do it. I didn’t either.

Was WWE planning on having Riddle win the Rumble? Insiders are split on that. PWI’s Mike Johnson reported at the time that it was the plan but things changed several times and landed on eventually landed on Lesnar.

Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer isn’t as sure, as he explained on Wrestling Observer Radio.

I never heard that one before and it doesn’t really make sense for him to win the Rumble because then he would have to be in the main event at Mania and they were never pushing him at that level.

The people who would know for sure, like Vince McMahon and Triple H, aren’t likely to discuss this topic any time soon. But whether Riddle is on target here or not, this feels like a story that will live on, just because fans will believe that Lesnar really could have said “nope, sorry, I’m winning the Rumble” and nobody felt like telling him no.

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Gunther on a Brock Lesnar showdown: ‘It’s definitely a match I want to have’

Gunther also told Under the Ring that chasing a world championship is the “next logical step” for him in WWE.

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As the longest reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion of all time, Gunther has successfully defended his title against challengers of all sizes and styles. But even the Ring General has potential opponents he might use as a measuring stick, and there’s one in particular he’d like to face.

That would be the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar. Though Gunther has been in hard-hitting, matches against Sheamus, Drew McIntyre and others, fans of straightforward, physical wrestling would salivate over a Gunther vs. Lesnar bout.

As Gunther told Under the Ring host Phil Strum, he agrees with them and would love to test himself against his own “Final Boss.”

“You never really know what you get with Brock, I would say, but it’s definitely a match I want to have, I want to do,” Gunther said. “I feel like Brock is somebody that I kind of like class as … It may be my personal End Boss. Maybe that’s the guy that at one point I have to step in the ring to validate myself, if that makes sense.”

Gunther talked about further challenges other than Lesnar as well, noting that even his Intercontinental Championship reign would someday end and that chasing one of WWE’s world titles would be the “next logical step.” He mentioned that while either Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns would present formidable challenges, he thought Rollins would be a better mesh of styles and that he is “more similar to Roman.”

Check out Strum’s full discussion with Gunther above to hear more on:

His upcoming Survivor Series: WarGames match against The Miz, and how their clash of styles and backgrounds will be compelling
What makes his Intercontinental Championship run so special
How he’s adjusted to living in the U.S. and wrestling for WWE
The best part about being raised in Austria, and what the people there get about work/life balance that he feels some cultures around the world haven’t grasped
Why he doesn’t stop to consider his accomplishments as he goes
Who he’s looked to for guidance or advice

Under the Ring releases new episodes every week, usually on Monday, with Strum utilizing contacts gleaned from years of pro wrestling fandom and coverage to have an in-depth conversation with a wrestler or other notable personality. Recent guests have included AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy, legendary former WCW champion Lex Luger, and PWInsider’s Mike Johnson.

To make sure you don’t miss an episode, subscribe to Under the Ring on Apple Podcasts or your podcast provider of choice, or check out the Under the Ring YouTube channel to see all of the interviews in video form.