The WWE has announced some exciting news for wrestling fans today (5 January). The biggest show in sports entertainment is bringing Money in the Bank to the O2 Arena in London this year.
First reported by Daily Mail, WWE have confirmed that Money in the Bank will take place on 1 July 2023 at the O2 Arena.
After the record-setting Clash at the Castle in September, Chief of Creative Triple H is looking to build on that potential with further events outside the US. Last year’s huge night in Cardiff was the Federation’s highest-ever gate at a European show, per Inside the Ropes.
Additionally, Clash at the Castle was a social media sensation. It also became the most-watched international premium WWE live event ever, further adding to its success.
As a result, London gets to hold Money in the Bank – a massive event, never before held outside the USA. It also marks England’s first major WWE Live event in twenty years. Insurrextion 2003, in Newcastle, was the last premium showcase in the country.
So, what can fans expect at a Money in the Bank event?
Money in the bank comes to London in 2023
An idea that Chris Jericho originally dreamed up, Money in the Bank (MITB) suspends a briefcase twenty feet above the ring. Inside said briefcase is a contract, which the holder can “cash in” to set up a title fight for a WWE championship belt.
The holder can demand a title shot using their contract at any point in the next year. But they can also do so as soon as they win the briefcase.
This is a ladder match where a host of competitors line up to try and claim the prize. They must fight off one another as they look to scale a ladder to reach the case. Since 2017, there have been separate Money in the Bank matches for the male and female categories.
Previous winners of Money in the Bank matches read as an illustrious list of legends. Edge won the inaugural match when it was still a part of WrestleMania, in 2005. At the first Money in the Bank event, in 2010, Kane managed to snag the contract on Smackdown. Meanwhile, The Miz claimed the prize in the Raw battle.
MITB 2022
Most recently, at the 2022 edition, Austin Theory secured the briefcase. He beat the likes of Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, Omos, and Sheamus to take the victory.
When he cashed in his contract, Theory became the first person to use it on a challenge for a secondary championship – the WWE United States championship. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful at earning the WWE US champion belt. Theory lost to Seth Rollins on a November episode of Raw.
At last year’s women’s match, Liv Morgan held her contract for just an hour before using it to defeat Ronda Rousey. In doing so, she became the Women’s Smackdown Champion that same night.
For 2023, UK wrestling fans can expect another thrilling night of drama when MITB comes to the O2. It promises to be one of WWE’s biggest international events ever.
Featured image credit: WWE