Money in the Bank is one of WWE's most anticipated events, as the briefcase winners can dramatically shape the company's direction at any point over the next year. For the first time, this event was held in October, which could set up some new challengers for our beleaguered champions.
Smoothie King Center in New Orleans provided a first-time men's winner (Penta), a second-time women's winner (Tiffany Stratton), and a new Women's World champion as Liv Morgan beat Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch in a triple-threat match. Elsewhere on the card, Oba Femi overcame interference by The Vision to defeat Bronson Reed in a singles match.
Let's start with the red-hot opening World Heavyweight title match between Roman Reigns and LA Knight.
Reigns has no shortage of future challengers
There has been a theme in Reigns' title matches this year: He has been winning them by himself. Unlike during his 1,316-day title reign that ended in 2024, there has been no constant interference from The Bloodline. With the many days Reigns has spent as champion over the past six years, we've gotten a different look at the Tribal Chief in 2026. That continued at Money in the Bank as Reigns defeated LA Knight without any weapons or outside help.
Knight has been in title contention for a few years but once again failed to win the big one. He hit Reigns with a Burning Hammer, a BFT and a powerbomb through the announcer's table, but it wasn't enough. The crowd was invested in Knight's challenge as evidenced by the long cheers for him before the match began. Knight and Reigns are good rivals, but once again, the "Yeah's!" turned to "No's!"
The postmatch angle hints that both men might remain in each other's orbit as the conflict between The 946 and The Bloodline spilled into an arena-wide brawl. Knight's dealings with Solo Sikoa and the other men have been complicated, and Reigns will likely get pulled into the faction warfare.
Coincidentally, the Survivor Series: War Games premium live event is coming up in November. We'll learn more about what's to come for Reigns, Knight, The Bloodline and The 946 on "Raw" on Monday night.
One unforeseen challenger presented himself on the Money in the Bank postshow as Oba Femi called out Reigns. And that doesn't include a potential rematch with Saturday's Money in the Bank winner.
Penta could be eyeing another shot at Reigns
The men's Money in the Bank winner is the same man who challenged Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship weeks ago in a thriller on "Raw" -- Penta. He had some big spots in his interactions with Kevin Owens, CM Punk and Bron Breakker before eventually unhooking the briefcase for the biggest win thus far in his WWE run.
Penta is a dangerous man to have lurking, and it adds some excitement to the title scene on "Raw." After Reigns had a multiyear run with the top championships just a few years ago, there are several fresh rivals for The Tribal Chief.
One other superstar really stood out in this match -- Breakker. His power was on display all match, with numerous impressive moves against the other competitors. The biggest spot of the night might have been Breakker sending Je'Von Evans through the roof of a ringside ambulance.
In recent weeks, Breakker has looked to regain his momentum as one of "Raw's" rising stars and the clear top guy in his faction, The Vision. Breakker is one half of the World Tag Team champions, but he could benefit from gaining singles momentum to end the year, especially if he picks up his rivalry with Oba Femi.
Stratton and Green's partnership could be short-lived
It's Tiffy Time in New Orleans following Stratton's win in the women's Money in the Bank ladder match. This is Stratton's second victory in this match in three years.
The match was chaotic, as each woman attempted bold moves to knock out the other competitors. In fact, Stratton took the worst bump of the match when her head hit the ground during a ladder senton at ringside.
Stratton was the only woman in this match to previously hold the WWE Women's Championship. Suddenly, current WWE Women's champion Chelsea Green has a target on her back on "SmackDown."
The women's Money in the Bank winner has a long history of cashing in quickly. However, Stratton was the exception after her first victory, waiting 181 days to cash in. Green's emotional storyline to become -- and stay -- a champion captured fans' hearts, but if she's not fully healthy, Stratton will take advantage.
The other women in the match had strong showings, but Roxanne Perez and Jacy Jayne were very impressive. Perez was the youngest woman in the match but showed her experience. She has been under the umbrella of the Judgment Day for a year and a half and is someone to watch. Judgment Day has weathered most tensions, but as the men's side of the faction has shown, cracks will start to form, especially after Liv Morgan reclaimed the Women's World Championship later in the show.
