5 WWE Money in the Bank 2026 Booking Decisions Raising Questions

Money in the Bank is one of WWE’s biggest annual events because its ladder matches can dramatically change the company’s championship picture. Winning the briefcase gives a superstar a future opportunity to challenge for a World Championship, making the qualification process almost as important as the match itself.

With the 2026 card beginning to take shape, Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams have already qualified for the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Sol Ruca, Lola Vice and Jacy Jayne have secured spots in the women’s match.

More qualifiers are scheduled, while Roman Reigns is currently set to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against LA Knight. However, some of WWE’s decisions surrounding the qualifiers have generated questions about how the company is building the event.

5. Using Stars From Other Brands in Money in the Bank Qualifiers

One of the most noticeable booking choices has been WWE’s decision to use wrestlers from different brands in Money in the Bank qualifying matches.

This has been particularly visible in the women’s division. Sol Ruca advanced after competing against Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri, while Lola Vice entered a qualifier featuring NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Raquel Rodriguez.

The upcoming RAW qualifier involving Roxanne Perez, IYO SKY and AAA’s La Catalina adds another example of WWE bringing talent from different parts of its wrestling ecosystem into the qualification process.

The criticism surrounding this approach is largely connected to the consequences of these matches. When a wrestler from another brand enters a qualifier, that performer may have little reason to advance because of existing commitments elsewhere.

The situation also becomes more complicated when WWE uses talent who are already connected to another major event. The final women’s qualifier is connected to the upcoming Worlds Collide show, which could have provided an opportunity to use another RAW name instead.

Cross-Brand Matches Can Create Unclear Booking

Cross-brand appearances can add variety to WWE programming, but they can also make the purpose of a qualifier less obvious. A Money in the Bank match is supposed to establish potential future World Championship contenders, so every participant ideally needs to feel like a realistic candidate.

When outside talent is included mainly to fill a spot or create a particular matchup, the audience may have less reason to believe that wrestler can ultimately win the briefcase.

That does not mean every cross-brand appearance is automatically a problem. However, with several qualifying matches already featuring wrestlers from NXT, AAA or another WWE brand, the qualification process has become less straightforward.

4. Too Many Newer Stars Have Already Qualified

Another discussion point is the experience level of the competitors who have already qualified for the ladder matches.

Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams have secured men’s Money in the Bank spots, while Sol Ruca, Lola Vice and Jacy Jayne have qualified for the women’s match.

Several of these wrestlers represent WWE’s newer generation. Breakker is the most established name among the men’s qualifiers, while Evans and Williams only moved to RAW and SmackDown earlier in 2026.

On the women’s side, Ruca and Jayne are also relatively recent additions to the main-roster scene, while Vice qualified in her first Money in the Bank qualifier.

The advantage of this approach is clear: WWE is giving younger talent meaningful exposure and allowing newer stars to compete in one of the company’s most recognizable matches.

The question is what happens if one of them wins the briefcase.

Money in the Bank Needs a Balance of Experience and Youth

The Money in the Bank concept works partly because the winner needs to feel credible as a future World Champion. Younger wrestlers can certainly reach that position, but established names can provide a different level of anticipation when they enter the match.

Veterans such as Finn Balor, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens or LA Knight could potentially bring a different dynamic to the field. Some have already experienced major championship programs, while others have spent significant periods without a World Championship.

A mixture of established stars and emerging talent can make the ladder match feel unpredictable without making the potential winners difficult to imagine.

With several newer wrestlers already qualified, WWE has placed considerable emphasis on its future stars. Whether that strategy pays off will depend heavily on the remaining qualifiers and the eventual winner.

3. Trick Williams Advances Over Randy Orton

Trick Williams’ qualification created another notable booking discussion because of the names involved in the triple-threat match.

Williams faced Randy Orton and AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix in the qualifier. Fenix was ultimately positioned as the wrestler who took the fall, allowing Williams to advance into the Money in the Bank field.

The decision leaves Orton outside the ladder match despite his long-running interest in capturing another World Championship.

Orton has repeatedly discussed the possibility of winning a 15th World Championship during the past several years. Giving him a Money in the Bank opportunity would have created an additional storyline around that ambition because the briefcase could provide a direct route to another championship reign.

Instead, WWE chose to move Williams forward while keeping Orton out of the match.

Trick Williams Has Another Storyline to Address

Williams’ current position also makes his qualification notable because he is the United States Champion and remains involved in a storyline with Baron Corbin.

The United States Championship has been part of Williams’ current run, meaning his Money in the Bank involvement adds another major responsibility to his character.

A possible alternative would have been to use Corbin’s involvement to influence the qualifier. Triple-threat matches allow interference without automatically ending the contest, which could have provided a storyline explanation for Williams’ elimination while giving Orton a path into the ladder match.

Instead, WWE has chosen to keep Williams in the Money in the Bank picture. The decision means the United States Champion will now be competing for an opportunity to challenge for an even bigger championship.

2. WWE Has Not Put Bayley in a Qualifier

Bayley’s absence from the women’s Money in the Bank qualifiers is another decision that stands out.

The former women’s champion returned to RAW during Lyra Valkyria’s Money in the Bank triple threat after missing six weeks following Valkyria’s attack on her at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July.

Bayley subsequently interfered in the qualifier and cost Valkyria an opportunity to advance.

Her return immediately placed her back into an important storyline, but WWE has not yet placed her into a Money in the Bank qualifying match.

Bayley’s Experience Could Have Added Another Layer

Bayley has considerable experience with major WWE matches and championship storylines. Her inclusion in the qualification process could have provided a veteran presence alongside the younger wrestlers already advancing.

Her history with Valkyria also offered an obvious storyline connection. Valkyria could have potentially played a role in Bayley’s qualifier, continuing their ongoing issues while giving the match a clear personal reason.

Instead, Bayley’s current involvement has focused on Valkyria rather than securing her own position in the ladder match.

There is still time for WWE to change direction. Bayley could potentially enter another qualifier or become involved in a different storyline before the Money in the Bank event. For now, however, her absence is one of the more noticeable omissions from the qualifying process.

1. Current Champions Are Being Used in Qualifying Matches

The most significant booking discussion involves WWE placing current champions into Money in the Bank qualifiers.

Several champions have already appeared in these matches, including Kelani Jordan, Raquel Rodriguez, Jacy Jayne, Trick Williams and Bron Breakker.

There is an obvious benefit to using champions in these contests: championship holders are established stars who can make qualifying matches feel important.

However, the downside is that a champion entering a triple threat must either win and potentially add another major responsibility or lose and become part of someone else’s qualification story.

That is exactly what happened when Lola Vice defeated Raquel Rodriguez to advance.

Champions Have Existing Responsibilities

A champion’s primary storyline is normally expected to revolve around defending and strengthening the value of their title. Adding a Money in the Bank qualification match can divide that focus.

The issue becomes even more visible when other established wrestlers are available for the qualification process. Names such as Carmelo Hayes, Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura or Baron Corbin could have been considered for some of the men’s qualifiers.

The same principle applies to the women’s division. WWE has a large roster of established performers who could compete for the briefcase without simultaneously holding another championship.

There is also a practical problem with putting multiple champions into the same triple-threat match. At least one champion has to lose unless that champion advances, and a loss can sometimes weaken the perception of the titleholder.

That becomes particularly relevant when the Money in the Bank qualification process is supposed to elevate potential future World Championship challengers.

How the Money in the Bank 2026 Field Looks So Far

The current qualification picture shows WWE mixing established championship names with several newer wrestlers.

The remaining qualifiers could significantly change the overall balance. Established names such as CM Punk, Gunther and Finn Balor still have opportunities to qualify for the men’s match, while Charlotte Flair, Lash Legend and Giulia are scheduled to compete for a women’s spot.

Roman Reigns vs LA Knight Also Set for Money in the Bank

Outside the ladder matches, Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against LA Knight is currently the only other announced match for the event.

The championship match adds another major storyline to the show because the winner of the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match could eventually target the World Heavyweight Championship.

That creates a direct connection between the two major concepts of the event. Reigns and Knight will compete for the championship, while the ladder-match competitors will fight for a future opportunity to challenge for a World Championship.

What the Remaining Qualifiers Could Change

The current criticism surrounding Money in the Bank 2026 is not necessarily final because WWE has not completed the qualifying process.

The remaining matches could introduce more established stars and create a different balance between veterans, champions and newer wrestlers.

CM Punk, Gunther and Finn Balor could add considerable experience to the men’s field, while Charlotte Flair and Giulia could bring additional championship-level experience to the women’s side.

The eventual composition of both ladder matches will therefore depend heavily on the remaining qualifying contests.

Final Verdict

WWE Money in the Bank 2026 has already generated discussion around its booking choices. The use of cross-brand talent, the number of newer wrestlers qualifying, Trick Williams advancing over Randy Orton, Bayley’s absence from the qualifiers and the involvement of current champions are the five biggest points of debate so far.

At the same time, the qualification process is not finished. Several established stars still have opportunities to enter the ladder matches, which means the final fields could look very different from the current lineup.

For now, WWE has clearly emphasized newer talent while also placing several champions into the qualification process. The remaining qualifiers will determine how that strategy shapes the final Money in the Bank 2026 card.