Jim Ross has offered his view on the field heading into this weekend’s men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, placing CM Punk at the front of his list while also highlighting Kevin Owens and Bron Breakker as major contenders for the briefcase.
The WWE Hall of Famer discussed the looming match on Grilling JR and approached the field from two different angles: the proven value of performers who are already established at the highest level and the enormous potential of a younger wrestler positioned to make a defining leap. In Ross’ estimation, Punk represents the clearest combination of credibility, profile and immediate main-event relevance.
“I’m going to hang that honor on CM Punk [to win the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match],” Ross said. “It’s hard to make a star. He’s already made, and Kevin Owens is already made.”
Punk enters the match looking to win Money in the Bank for the first time. It will also mark his first appearance in the ladder match since 2013, giving the bout added significance for a wrestler whose return to WWE has restored him to a prominent role around the company’s biggest championship stories.
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Money in the Bank has long been built around the possibility that one major victory can reshape a wrestler’s career. The winner leaves with a contract for a world title opportunity, usually creating an unpredictable factor around whichever champion is holding a top prize. Ross’ comments suggest that Punk would be a natural choice because he does not need a lengthy rebuilding process to be viewed as a legitimate threat to a world championship.
That is the central appeal of a Punk victory. The briefcase would not have to manufacture his status; it would simply give an already accomplished and recognizable star a direct path to a title match. Ross stressed the difficulty of creating genuine stars in wrestling, and his view is that Punk has already passed that test.
Owens, another of Ross’ top choices, brings a different but similarly credible case. “The Prizefighter” will be back in the Money in the Bank ladder match for the first time since 2021. Ross praised Owens not only for his ability to deliver physical, logical matches, but also for the value he brings beyond the ring.
“Kevin Owens’ return has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Ross said. “And he’s one of my favorite talents in the ring.”
Ross also spoke warmly about a personal detail from Owens’ background, recalling that the Canadian star learned English in Montreal in part by listening to Ross call wrestling on commentary. For Ross, that connection added another layer to his appreciation for Owens’ career and body of work.
“You know, I kind of got closer to him when I found out that he learned to speak English in Montreal by listening to me do commentary,” Ross said. “I thought that was kind of cool. But he’s a hell of a hand.”
The phrase is a strong endorsement coming from Ross, who has spent decades evaluating wrestlers and calling the biggest matches in the industry. His praise for Owens extends to the practical elements Ross values most: ring work that feels forceful, matches that follow a clear internal logic, and a performer who contributes positively to the locker-room environment.
Ross additionally said he believes Owens could be a world champion if he were part of AEW. The comment was not a dismissal of Owens’ current standing in WWE. Rather, it underlined Ross’ belief that Owens possesses the skill set, reliability and overall stature necessary to carry championship responsibilities in any major environment.
For Owens, a Money in the Bank win would offer a fresh route back toward the world-title picture. His reputation has long been rooted in resilience, hard-hitting offense and a willingness to thrive in high-pressure settings. Ladder matches reward toughness and timing as much as athleticism, and the format gives Owens an opportunity to turn his experience into an advantage.
Ross’ third leading candidate is Breakker, who stands apart from Punk and Owens as the pick centered most clearly on future upside. Breakker will be making his Money in the Bank ladder match debut, but Ross sees him as the obvious selection for anyone looking at the match through the lens of a rising talent ready to move closer to the top.
“I guess if you’re looking at it from somebody new, who would you pick? I’d say Bron Breakker because he’s got an unlimited upside,” Ross said. “Going to be great, no doubt about it.”
That assessment captures why Breakker’s presence is so compelling. A victory in his first Money in the Bank match would be a major statement and would immediately give him leverage in the world championship landscape. Even without the experience of Punk or Owens in this specific type of multi-person ladder bout, Breakker enters with the athletic profile and upward momentum that can make a first-time participant especially dangerous.
The match field will also include Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams and Penta. Evans and Williams are both set for their Money in the Bank ladder match debuts, meaning half the announced field will be entering the stipulation for the first time. Their inclusion creates an intriguing contrast with the veterans and more established names Ross singled out.
Evans and Williams have an opportunity to make the kind of immediate impression that Money in the Bank can provide. The match’s format creates room for breakout performances even when the briefcase ultimately goes to a more experienced competitor. For first-time entrants, simply navigating the physical demands and chaotic pace of a ladder match on such a prominent stage can be a major test.
Penta rounds out a field with a wide range of styles and career stages. The lineup includes former world champions, emerging prospects, a decorated international standout and performers with substantial personal history. Ross noted that Punk has history with both Owens and Breakker, adding another dynamic to an already volatile match. In a contest where alliances can change quickly and every participant is pursuing the same prize, those prior connections may be impossible to ignore.
Ross’ selections also reflect two familiar schools of thought for Money in the Bank. One approach is to put the briefcase on a wrestler who has already demonstrated he can headline major events, immediately making the contract feel important. Punk and Owens fit that description. The other is to use the win as a signal that a rapidly ascending performer is ready to be treated as a future centerpiece. Breakker is the name Ross believes best represents that possibility.
There is no single formula for a successful Money in the Bank winner, and the composition of this year’s match illustrates that point. Punk has not competed in the match since 2013. Owens is returning for the first time since 2021. Breakker, Evans and Williams are making their debuts. Each competitor therefore carries a distinct level of familiarity with the stipulation, but all share the opportunity to leave the weekend with a guaranteed championship opening.
Ross made his preference clear by placing Punk first, yet his comments left room for two very different alternatives. Owens has the experience and ring instincts Ross so strongly admires, while Breakker has the seemingly limitless ceiling that could turn a Money in the Bank victory into a launchpad. With Evans, Williams and Penta also seeking the same career-altering prize, the men’s ladder match brings together established names and potential new stars in one of WWE’s most consequential annual contests.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.