The WWE Money in the Bank 2026 premium live event is only days away. The card for the upcoming PLE has been shaping up perfectly. The latest episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown saw major developments for the show this month.
Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, and Johnny Gargano locked horns in a triple-threat main event match to secure the final spot in the traditional men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
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All three men engaged in a perfect back-and-forth battle, and each had a calculated game plan. Cody Rhodes gained momentum in the final moments of the match.
However, things took an unexpected turn with multi-time WWE Champion Randy Orton interfering in the match, trying to cost the American Nightmare the contest.
The Prodigal Son countered Orton’s offense and was ready to take him out with a Punt Kick. This distracted Rhodes from his triple threat match, allowing Johnny Gargano to take him out. When Johnny Wrestling turned his attention to Kevin Owens, he ate a pop-up powerbomb as KO was preparing to strike.
The Prizefighter pinned Gargano to grab a win. Rhodes even tried to slide inside the ring to break the pinfall, but Orton screwed him by holding his leg. As a result, Kevin Owens won the match and earned the final spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank match.
In this article, we take a look at three reasons why Kevin Owens qualified for WWE Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
#3. Potential cash-in on Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn
Owens and Sami Zayn share a personal history. They are childhood friends and have had a long love-hate relationship in professional wrestling.
They have stood against each other multiple times. Sami Zayn recently defeated Kevin Owens in an Undisputed WWE Championship bout. The finish wasn’t clean as CM Punk interfered in the match, which played a vital part in the Last Real Good Guy retaining his championship.
WWE may have long-term plans for the feud between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. In a surprising turn of events, Owens could win the Men’s Money in the Bank briefcase and later cash it in on Sami Zayn, creating a compelling chapter in their ongoing rivalry.
#2. To add star power
This year’s 2026 Men’s Money in the Bank match is stacked, and most contenders are rising stars like Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Penta.
Last week, former Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk earned his spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, and recently, Kevin Owens was added to the bout.
The company may have added star power to the match, with two former fan-favorite champions in the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Fans will tune in to watch the match, giving them a perfect chance to get used to seeing the other four rising superstars at the top.
#1. Continue his feud with CM Punk
Kevin Owens and CM Punk have both qualified for the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. The two have been feuding for weeks and have cost each other title matches.
That said, WWE may be building a rivalry between the Best in the World and The Prizefighter. The Stamford-based promotion may have handed Kevin Owens a spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match to further build on the tension between him and the Second City Saint.
Punk and Owens could prevent each other from winning the 2026 Money in the Bank briefcase, and they could build their singles rivalry in New Orleans.
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Edited by Riya Peter
