20 Best WWE Matches Of 2014 - 8

8. Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Jack Swagger – Money In The Bank Ladder Match (Money In The Bank)

It has taken a lot of hindsight, as well as considerable effort, to find a silver lining in Daniel Bryan going down with a serious injury, cutting his long-awaited title reign short.  If there is one, it is probably that it allowed arguably the best Money in the Bank Ladder match in history to take place.  When he had to forfeit the title, WWE had to go in a different direction for the signature gimmick of June’s second PPV.  They wound up having two MITB matches, one for the title and one for the traditional briefcase.  The former was full of established stars, for the most part, while the second surrounded budding blood rivals, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, with a cast of characters perfectly suited for a multi-man spotfest.

All six men worked their tails off, with Ziggler and Kingston, in particular, complimenting the Rollins and Ambrose story so well that it seemed like they might actually have a chance to pull off the upset and retrieve the briefcase.  Looking back, it might well have been the beginning of the Show Off’s resurgence.  Kingston continued to prove that he has a knack for performing in big moments.  All the while, the Ambrose vs. Rollins feud took center stage right from the start and right at the end.  Ambrose was knocked out of the match with a storyline shoulder injury, but was able to fend off doctor’s orders to return to the fray and nearly win.  Rollins, with a little help from his corporate mates, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

The overall presentation was stellar.  It featured psychology not often found throughout the gimmick’s history, with several dramatic near finishes and the usual series of “wow” spots that the stipulation has become known for.