Welcome to WrestleSeek. Today, we’re going to take a look at WWE Money in the Bank 2016, covering the match results, workrate ratings, and the overall impact of the event.
WWE Money in the Bank 2016 took place on June 19, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Widely regarded as one of the most historic Money in the Bank events in WWE history, the night was headlined by a dream match between John Cena and AJ Styles, an chaotic ladder match, and a main event angle where all three former Shield members held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the exact same evening.
This retrospective WWE Money in the Bank 2016 review evaluates every match on the card, analyzing the ring work, story execution, and long-term historical impact of the event.
WWE Money in the Bank 2016 Review
WWE Money in the Bank 2016 Overview
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | June 19, 2016 |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena (Paradise, Nevada) |
| Attendance | 14,150 |
| Main Event | Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins / Dean Ambrose Cash-in |
| Top Highlight | All three Shield members holding the WWE Championship in one night |
WWE Money in the Bank 2016: Kickoff Pre-Show Matches
The Golden Truth vs. Breezango
- Stipulation: Tag Team Match
- Match Analysis: A lightweight comedy match designed to warm up the Las Vegas crowd. Both teams leaned heavily into their comedic gimmicks, with Breeze and Fandango suffering from “burns” suffered in previous comedy skits. The work was basic, but Goldust’s veteran timing kept it smooth enough for a pre-show opener.
- Result: The Golden Truth (Goldust and R-Truth) defeated Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) via pinfall (5:06).
- Rating: 1.5 / 5 Stars
The Lucha Dragons vs. The Dudley Boyz
- Stipulation: Tag Team Match
- Match Analysis: A standard speed-versus-size dynamic. The Dudley Boyz grounded the high-flying duo with classic heel isolation tactics, but Kalisto and Sin Cara picked up the pace toward the end. Kalisto sealed the win following a Solida Del Sol combined with a Salida del Sol/Swanton Bomb combo. Solid execution with no major botches, though it played like a typical Raw tag encounter.
- Result: The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) via pinfall (8:48).
- Rating: 2.25 / 5 Stars
Main Card Matches: WWE Money in the Bank 2016
Fatal 4-Way WWE Tag Team Championship: The New Day (c) vs. Enzo & Big Cass vs. Gallows & Anderson vs. The Vaudevillains
- Stipulation: Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match
- Match Analysis: Opening the main card with high energy, all four teams delivered rapid-fire action. Enzo Amore brought massive crowd heat upon his entrance, while Gallows and Anderson brought physical intensity. The match contained several chaotic multi-man sequences, including a tower of doom spot. Big E pinned Aiden English after a Big Ending/Frog Splash combination to keep New Day’s record title reign alive. A fun, fast-paced opener.
- Result: The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods) defeated Enzo Amore & Big Cass, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, and The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) via pinfall (11:43).
- Rating: 2.75 / 5 Stars
Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler
- Stipulation: Singles Match
- Match Analysis: This was the continuation of a long-running feud following Corbin’s André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal win at WrestleMania 32. Ziggler did his usual outstanding job bumping to make Corbin’s power moves look devastating. The match dragged in the middle act, but picked up when Corbin hit the End of Days for the decisive pin. Effective for building Corbin as a mid-card heel, though the feud felt overexposed by this point.
- Result: Baron Corbin defeated Dolph Ziggler via pinfall (12:25).
- Rating: 3.00 / 5 Stars
Charlotte & Dana Brooke vs. Becky Lynch & Natalya
- Stipulation: Tag Team Match
- Match Analysis: Designed to advance Charlotte’s momentum as Women’s Champion while setting up tension between the babyfaces. Miscommunication between Natalya and Becky led to Dana Brooke shoving Natalya into Becky, allowing Charlotte to hit Natural Selection on Natalya for the win. The post-match angle was the main takeaway, as Natalya turned heel by attacking Becky Lynch. The match itself was short and clunky.
- Result: Charlotte and Dana Brooke defeated Becky Lynch and Natalya via pinfall (7:00).
- Rating: 2.0 / 5 Stars
Apollo Crews vs. Sheamus
- Stipulation: Singles Match
- Match Analysis: Built around Sheamus attempting to bully the newcomer Crews. Sheamus dominated most of the offense, using heavy strikes and chinlocks. Crews showcased his athleticism with counter moves, ultimately catching Sheamus off-guard with a crucifix pin after Sheamus argued with the referee. The finish protected Sheamus while giving Crews a big pay-per-view victory, though it lacked heat.
- Result: Apollo Crews defeated Sheamus via pinfall (8:36).
- Rating: 2.5 / 5 Stars
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
- Stipulation: Singles Match (“15 Years in the Making”)
- Match Analysis: The first match in their legendary trilogy. The Las Vegas crowd was electric from the bell, splitting chants evenly between both men. Styles out-wrestled Cena early with crisp counters, forcing Cena to adapt his power style. The sequence of near-falls—including Styles reversing an AA into a Calf Crusher and kicking out of an Attitude Adjustment—kept the audience fully invested. The referee was knocked out late, allowing Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to hit the Magic Killer on Cena and drag Styles over him for the win. While the dirty finish slightly protected Cena, the match proved their elite chemistry.
- Result: AJ Styles defeated John Cena via pinfall (24:10).
- Rating: 4.25 / 5 Stars
Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Dean Ambrose vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
- Stipulation: 6-Man Money in the Bank Ladder Match
- Match Analysis: An extraordinary ladder match packed with creative spots and intense personal rivalries. Cesaro delivered an impressive European uppercut train, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn took dangerous bumps on ladders, and Chris Jericho provided veteran structure. A key highlight featured six ladders set up in the ring simultaneously as all six men fought at the top. In the end, Ambrose fought off Owens at the top of the ladder and unhooked the briefcase to a thunderous pop from the crowd.
- Result: Dean Ambrose retrieved the briefcase to win (21:38).
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
WWE United States Championship: Rusev (c) vs. Titus O’Neil
- Stipulation: Singles Match
- Match Analysis: Placed in the “cool-down” slot between the ladder match and the main event. Titus O’Neil fought with aggression on Father’s Day, but Rusev controlled the tempo with heavy knees and grounded submissions. Rusev locked in the Accolade for a decisive submission victory, then taunted O’Neil’s children at ringside post-match.Adequate physical match, but mostly unforgettable in ring work.
- Result: Rusev (w/ Lana) defeated Titus O’Neil via submission (8:30).
- Rating: 2.0 / 5 Stars
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins
- Stipulation: Singles Match
- Match Analysis: Rollins’ first official match back after suffering a severe knee injury in late 2015. The match was structured masterfully: Reigns played the heavy-hitting bully, while Rollins countered with agility and technical precision. Highlight spots included Rollins reversing a Spear mid-air into a Pedigree for a massive near-fall. Rollins hit a second Pedigree shortly after to cleanly pin Reigns. Excellent storytelling, smooth transitions, and high drama throughout.
- Result: Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns via pinfall to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship (26:00).
- Rating: 4.25 / 5 Stars
WWE World Heavyweight Championship (Cash-in): Seth Rollins (c) vs. Dean Ambrose
- Stipulation: Money in the Bank Cash-in Match
- Match Analysis: Immediately following Rollins’ victory, Dean Ambrose’s music hit. Ambrose attacked Rollins from behind with the briefcase, officially cashed in, hit the Dirty Deeds, and pinned Rollins in nine seconds. This completed an iconic angle where all three former Shield members held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the exact same night.
- Result: Dean Ambrose defeated Seth Rollins via pinfall to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion (0:09).
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 Stars (Execution / Angle Rating)
Post-Show Editorial Breakdown
- Best Match of the Night: Money in the Bank Ladder Match (4.5 / 5 Stars)
- Biggest Disappointment: Charlotte & Dana Brooke vs. Becky Lynch & Natalya
- Best Performance: Seth Rollins (Workrate, story execution, returning from injury)
- Most Important Moment: Dean Ambrose cashing in to ensure all 3 Shield members held the WWE title in one night
- Best Booking Decision: Giving Dean Ambrose the MITB win and instant cash-in
- Worst Booking Decision: Giving John Cena vs. AJ Styles a dirty interference finish instead of a clean pin
- Overall Show Rating: 4.0 / 5 Stars
WWE Money in the Bank 2016 Review: Final Verdict
WWE Money in the Bank 2016 stands out as one of the best thematic pay-per-views WWE produced in the 2010s. While the undercard contained average tv-quality filler, the three major marquee matches—Cena vs. Styles, the MITB Ladder Match, and Reigns vs. Rollins—delivered at the highest level. The poetic ending involving The Shield remains a timeless moment in modern professional wrestling history.
