Wrestling fans love to argue. It is basically the lifeblood of the industry. We argue about who should have won, who’s getting "buried," and especially, what score a match deserves. When it comes to money in the bank grades, the debate hits a fever pitch because these aren't just normal matches. They are chaotic, ladder-climbing demolition derbies where the grade isn't just about technical wrestling. It’s about the "holy sh*t" moments.
Honestly, grading a Money in the Bank (MITB) match is a nightmare for most analysts. You’ve got six, seven, maybe eight people flying around. Someone is usually doing a 450-splash off a twenty-foot ladder. Another person is getting sandwiched between steel rungs. How do you quantify that? Most critics, from the legendary Dave Meltzer to the writers at CBS Sports, look for a mix of storytelling, safety (ironically), and crowd investment.
But here’s the thing: a "B" grade for a ladder match might be an "A+" for entertainment value if you're just watching with friends and a pizza.
What Actually Goes Into Money in the Bank Grades?
When you see a site like CBS Sports or WrestleRant drop their money in the bank grades after a Premium Live Event, they aren't just throwing darts at a board. Most of the time, they are looking at three specific pillars. First, there’s the "Spot Efficiency." If a wrestler tries a springboard into a sunset flip powerbomb off a ladder and it looks clunky, the grade drops instantly.
Second is the "Story Within the Chaos." Look at the 2025 Men’s MITB match. Seth Rollins won, which some fans hated because, well, he’s Seth Rollins—he doesn't "need" the briefcase. But the story of Jacob Fatu finally snapping and turning on Solo Sikoa during that match? That drama added layers. It turned a standard ladder match into a pivotal narrative beat. That’s why that match pulled high marks despite the predictable winner.
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Third? The "Pop Factor." Wrestling is a reactionary sport. If the crowd in the arena is dead, the match feels dead on TV. If the fans are screaming "This is Awesome" before the first ladder is even touched, the grader is already leaning toward a B+ or better.
The Breakdown of the 2025 Grades
The most recent event in June 2025 gave us a weird spread of results. If you were looking for technical masterpieces, you probably felt a bit short-changed. But if you wanted high-stakes drama, it delivered.
- Women's Money in the Bank Match: B+
This was the opener and, man, it was a mess in the best way possible. You had Rhea Ripley basically playing the final boss, tossing people like lawn furniture. The highlight was definitely Stephanie Vaquer smashing Ripley’s head into a ladder with a Devil’s Kiss. Naomi winning was a bit of a shocker for some, but it made sense for her heel turn. The grade stayed high because the flow was relentless. - Dominik Mysterio vs. Octagon Jr.: B-
This was a last-minute addition. "Dirty" Dom is a heat magnet, and Octagon Jr. brought that AAA flair, but the crowd didn't really know who the challenger was. It felt like a TV match that accidentally ended up on a PLE. Hard to give it more than a "solid" grade. - Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria: A-
This was the dark horse. People forget that money in the bank grades apply to the whole card, not just the ladder matches. Becky and Lyra had incredible chemistry. It was a "Last Chance" match with a stipulation that Becky couldn't challenge again if she lost. Becky winning by holding the tights was a classic veteran move that kept the story moving. - Men's Money in the Bank Match: B+
Seth Rollins becoming a two-time winner was the headline, but the match was defined by the Bloodline drama. When Jacob Fatu screamed "I hate you" at Solo Sikoa, the roof nearly blew off the arena. - Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso vs. John Cena & Logan Paul: B
Star power was at an 11 here. Cena’s final MITB appearance before his retirement at the end of 2025 felt heavy. But the match itself was mostly a "greatest hits" reel until R-Truth made his surprise return to screw over Cena. The interference actually lowered the "workrate" grade for some purists, but for the average fan, it was the moment of the night.
The "Star Rating" Trap
We need to talk about the Dave Meltzer effect. For decades, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has been the gold standard for match ratings. But money in the bank grades often clash with Meltzer’s star system. Meltzer loves "workrate"—long, athletic sequences with minimal interference.
MITB is the opposite. It’s built on interference. It’s built on "car crash" wrestling.
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Take the 2024 Women’s match. Tiffany Stratton won in a match that was widely praised for its creativity. Chelsea Green falling through two tables outside the ring was a visual that went viral instantly. Yet, a technical purist might give that a lower grade because it relied on "stunt" spots rather than wrestling holds.
Is one right and the other wrong? Not really. It’s just a different lens. If you’re a fan who grew up on the Attitude Era, you probably care more about the shock ending than whether someone’s toe was pointed during a dropkick.
Why Some Winners "Fail" the Grade
A winner can actually ruin a match grade. It sounds unfair, but it’s true. Look at 2024 when Drew McIntyre won the briefcase. The match was an A- on its own—great pacing, everyone (like Chad Gable and Andrade) looked like stars. But then Drew cashed in later that same night and lost because of CM Punk.
Suddenly, the "value" of that ladder match felt diminished to some. It felt like a plot device rather than a career-defining win.
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Compare that to Edge in 2005. That original MITB match at WrestleMania 21 has one of the highest money in the bank grades in history (nearly a 4.5 or 5-star rating depending on who you ask). Why? Because it felt like the birth of a superstar. The grade reflected the long-term impact of the moment.
How to Grade Like a Pro (Or at Least Look Like One)
If you’re sitting on social media trying to defend your take on a match, don't just say "it was good." You’ve got to break it down.
- Look for the "Lulls": A great ladder match shouldn't have people standing around in the corners waiting for their turn to get hit. The best ones have overlapping action.
- The "High Spot" Safety: Did the big jump look like it actually hurt the opponent, or did it look like they were catching a friend?
- The Briefcase Use: Does the wrestler actually try to win? There’s nothing more annoying than a wrestler spending five minutes setting up a ladder when they could have just climbed it.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fans
If you're following the road to SummerSlam or looking back at historical tapes, keep these things in mind:
- Don't take grades as gospel. A "C" match can still be your favorite match of the night if you love the characters involved.
- Watch for the "NXT Factor." Since 2024, more NXT call-ups like Giulia and Roxanne Perez have been integrated into MITB. Their styles are often faster and more "indie-influenced," which usually bumps up the technical grade.
- Check multiple sources. Compare CBS Sports, Cagematch (which is fan-voted), and the Wrestling Observer. The average of those three is usually where the "truth" lies.
At the end of the day, money in the bank grades are subjective. They are a snapshot of a moment in time. Whether Seth Rollins "deserved" it in 2025 or John Cena "wasted" it in 2012 is a conversation that keeps wrestling alive. The best thing you can do is ignore the "perfection" of the numbers and look at the story the wrestlers are trying to tell with their bodies and those unforgiving steel ladders.
Next time you see a grade you disagree with, look at the transition points between the big moves. Often, the grade is won or lost in the small moments where the wrestlers are just trying to keep the chaos from falling apart. That is the real art of the ladder match.