CM Punk. Image via: Ethan Miller/ Getty Image
Kevin Owens has been regaining momentum since returning to WWE at SummerSlam 2026 from a career-ending neck injury. Tiffany Stratton walks into the 2026 Money in the Bank PLE with a huge advantage, i.e., being a former Money in the Bank ladder match winner in 2024. He won it back-to-back in 2008 and 2009. However, as a veteran heading into the 2026 ladder match, he doesn’t need a third Money in the Bank win, since WWE might want to elevate another rising star instead of booking Punk to win.
Therefore, it is likely that the Prize Fighter will win the ladder match this year. WWE may want to push younger stars over Owens, believing he would still draw interest without the briefcase While KO has been part of the main event picture on SmackDown. WWE might want to give the significant MITB contract to another rising star instead of going with Stratton again in order to push them While Stratton has experience and an edge over other competitors. CM Punk has extensive experience winning the Money in the Bank ladder match.
Therefore, WWE might want to build her more before feeling she is ready for a big win like the Money in the Bank briefcase, and they may not book her for a win this year. As a result, WWE might take more time to build him up and not book him for the MITB ladder match win right now. Lash Legend has been a regular fixture on SmackDown, as part of her alliance with Nia Jax and even as a one-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Despite that, Legend hasn’t garnered much attention from fans compared with other rising names. Je’Von Evans will be the youngest WWE superstar to compete in this year’s Money in the Bank ladder match at the PLE. However, Evans hasn’t been part of any significant storylines or had any mid-card title runs so far.
He has been one of the fastest-rising stars and got called up from NXT to RAW earlier this year.