WWE star Penta walked out of New Orleans as the 2026 Mr. Money in the Bank. The former Intercontinental Champion outlasted CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Bron Breakker.
A recent report claims that current World Tag Team Champion Bron Breakker was the original choice to be Mr. Money in the Bank. After his match with Roman Reigns in Mexico City, however, officials changed their minds and chose Penta.
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While Penta wasn’t the worst choice to win the contract, other stars had strong cases. Kevin Owens hasn’t had a major title run in nearly a decade and has momentum.
CM Punk didn’t need another title opportunity but is one of WWE’s biggest stars. Bron Breakker was on his way to the main event, but has been pushed back down the card in 2026. It’s part of the reason behind his angle with Oba Femi.
The luchador certainly deserved to win the World Heavyweight Championship. However, since WWE officials balked at that option in September, the original plan for Bron Breakker as Mr. Money in the Bank was a better idea for the next four reasons.
#4. He hasn’t had a major title shot since January vs. CM Punk
Bron Breakker earned the right to face CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship on the first anniversary of RAW on Netflix earlier this year. He fell to The Best in the World and back down the ladder.
Most feuds last for three cycles, unless Roman Reigns is champion. His title programs are shortened because of his extreme part-time schedule.
Breakker only had one opportunity, whereas Gunther had a few shots at Cody Rhodes when Rhodes was still WWE Champion. Breakker’s injury came after the Royal Rumble, so that stalled some momentum.
Injuries to Bronson Reed and Logan Paul thrust him into the tag team division instead of staying in the main event. Breakker is clearly a main-event level talent. Giving him Money in the Bank would have put him back on track as the future of the company.
#3. It was WWE’s original plan
Changing things up now and then can be the right call, but WWE has played it safe in 2026. Having Jacob Fatu beat Roman Reigns would have created an instant new megastar, but he was buried in two matches instead.
Cody Rhodes’ constant presence as Undisputed Champion didn’t move anything forward on SmackDown. When WWE changes its original plan, it’s often to cater to the same handful of stars.
The main reason Penta won Money in the Bank was that his match with The Tribal Chief showed backstage officials he was a huge star and draw. Anyone who followed his career already knew this.
If Breakker got injured or did something stupid off camera, the pivot would make sense. Since they strayed from the original plan, it feels like they got cold feet with him again, and mainly because of something that happened with Reigns.
#2. It would give The Vision credibility instead of getting lost in the faction shuffle
The Vision may be featured on RAW most weeks, but a lot has changed on the red brand in 2026. Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, Royce Keys, Carmelo Hayes, and others have joined RAW.
The Vision already had to fight against the Bloodline and Judgment Day for faction supremacy. Adding 946 makes things even more difficult. The fact that Breakker and his allies are getting tossed around by Oba Femi only shows that they aren’t high on the totem pole.
If Bron had won Money in the Bank, the group would have more credibility and pull on RAW. They’d have a title shot in their pocket and could use their numbers advantage to secure it. Penta teams up with other stars from time to time, but it makes more sense for a heel to have the case, especially with backup.
#1. WWE already took a Rumble win away from him
One easy reason the original plan of Bron Breakker as Mr. Money in the Bank was better than what happened involves the 2026 Royal Rumble. Breakker gained traction as a force in the main event by challenging Punk in a big title match.
He lost, but shouldn’t have gone to the back of the line. That loss made him a favorite to win the 2026 Royal Rumble. What happened instead felt like WWE pulling the rug out from under both Breakker and people hoping for a change.
He entered second but was attacked before he could enter the match. Oba Femi then tossed him out with ease, ending his tenure in less than a minute. Part of the reason for the unceremonious treatment was that Triple H didn’t want to force Breakker down fans’ throats.
Picking the guy who’s enjoyed that treatment instead, Roman Reigns, contradicts that statement. Having Breakker win Money in the Bank would have rectified that contradiction instead of changing the plan on him again.
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Edited by Matthew Serocki
