Gunther Stark won the 2024 Men's Money in the Bank ladder match at WWE SummerSlam

Gunther, the Austrian wrestler who held the Intercontinental Championship at the time, climbed the ladder and retrieved the briefcase at SummerSlam 2024 on August 3 in Cleveland, Ohio. The briefcase contained a contract guaranteeing him a main-event championship match at any WWE pay-per-view event of his choosing within one year. Gunther later cashed in the contract against Cody Rhodes at Bash in Berlin on August 31, 2024, but lost that match.

Tiffany Stratton won the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match at the same event. She defeated five other competitors to claim her briefcase, which gave her the same may provide championship opportunity. Stratton cashed in her contract against Liv Morgan on November 2, 2024, at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, winning the women's world championship.

Key Takeaways

  • Gunther won the Men's Money in the Bank match at SummerSlam 2024 on August 3 in Cleveland.
  • Tiffany Stratton won the Women's Money in the Bank match at the same event.
  • Both winners received a briefcase containing a contract for a may provide championship match within one year.
  • Gunther cashed in his contract against Cody Rhodes and lost; Stratton cashed in hers against Liv Morgan and won the championship.

How the Money in the Bank match works

Money in the Bank is a ladder match where competitors climb a ladder suspended above the ring to retrieve a briefcase hanging from the ceiling. The match typically involves six wrestlers competing at the same time, though the exact number can vary. The first person to grab the briefcase wins, and the match ends immediately once someone retrieves it.

The briefcase is not filled with cash despite the match's name. Instead, it contains a signed contract that grants the winner a championship match at any WWE pay-per-view event they choose within the next year. This gives the winner significant power to decide when and where they will challenge for a title, which is why the match is considered one of the most valuable opportunities in WWE.

Gunther's path to winning and his cash-in attempt

Gunther entered the 2024 Men's Money in the Bank match as the Intercontinental Champion. He competed against five other wrestlers: Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Carmelo Hayes, and Logan Paul. Gunther successfully climbed the ladder and retrieved the briefcase to win the match.

On August 31, 2024, at Bash in Berlin, Gunther cashed in his Money in the Bank contract against Cody Rhodes, who was the Undisputed WWE Champion at the time. Despite having the advantage of choosing when and where to challenge, Gunther lost the match and did not win the championship. This meant his Money in the Bank opportunity was spent without a successful title change.

Tiffany Stratton's victory and successful championship cash-in

Tiffany Stratton won the Women's Money in the Bank match at SummerSlam 2024 by defeating Rhea Ripley, Zoey Stark, IYO SKY, Liv Morgan, and Chelsea Green. Stratton had been positioned as a rising star in WWE, and winning Money in the Bank elevated her status significantly within the company.

Stratton cashed in her contract on November 2, 2024, at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia against Liv Morgan, who held the women's world championship. Unlike Gunther, Stratton's cash-in was successful—she defeated Morgan and won the championship. This made her one of the successful Money in the Bank winners for 2024, as not every cash-in attempt results in a title victory.

Other Money in the Bank winners from previous years

Money in the Bank has been held annually since 2010, and the match has produced many notable champions over the years. Some past winners went on to become major WWE stars, while others had less successful reigns. The unpredictability of who will successfully cash in their contract is part of what makes Money in the Bank significant in WWE storylines.

The match format has remained largely the same since its creation, though WWE has occasionally adjusted the number of competitors or added stipulations. The briefcase itself has become an iconic symbol in WWE, and winning it is considered a major accomplishment even before a wrestler attempts to cash it in for a championship.

Why Money in the Bank matters in WWE

Money in the Bank is one of WWE's premium annual events, typically held in the summer. The match draws significant viewership because the outcome is unpredictable and the prize is genuinely valuable within WWE's storyline structure. Winners gain leverage in negotiations with other wrestlers and can use their contract as a bargaining chip in storylines.

The match also serves as a launching pad for wrestlers who are being positioned for a push toward the main event. Winning Money in the Bank signals to fans that WWE sees potential in that wrestler and is investing in their future. For some wrestlers, it marks the beginning of their rise to championship status; for others, it represents a peak moment in their career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Money in the Bank winner cash in their contract anytime they want?

Yes, the winner can cash in at any WWE pay-per-view event of their choosing within one year of winning. They do not need permission from WWE management or the current champion. This flexibility is what makes the briefcase valuable—the winner controls the timing and location of their championship opportunity.

What happens if a Money in the Bank winner loses their cash-in match?

The contract is spent and the winner no longer has a may provide championship match. They must pursue other opportunities to earn a title shot. This is what happened to Gunther in 2024—his loss to Cody Rhodes meant his Money in the Bank opportunity was over.

Has anyone ever won Money in the Bank twice?

Yes, several wrestlers have won the match more than once. The most notable is The Miz, who won the Men's Money in the Bank match twice. Winning it twice is rare and considered a significant achievement in WWE history.

Do Money in the Bank winners always cash in for the world championship?

No, some winners have cashed in for mid-card titles like the Intercontinental or United States Championship instead of the world title. However, most winners target the world championship because it is the highest prize in WWE.