Penta the ‘heavy favorite’ to win Money in the Bank: Where does a future cash-in fit into WWE’s plans?

WWE

With WWE Money in the Bank now just two weeks away, an interesting new report has emerged revealing that Penta is considered the “heavy favorite” to take home the briefcase.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, this was not WWE’s plan as of SummerSlam, however the reaction to the luchador in his match with Roman Reigns on the September 14 episode of Raw may have changed things.

With WWE’s plans seemingly not accounting for a Penta World Heavyweight Title push, it begs the question of where a possible cash-in even fits in.

Let’s take a look at how and when WWE could have Penta cash-in Money in the Bank.

Announces rematch with Roman Reigns ahead of time for WWE Survivor Series 2026

After losing to Roman Reigns on the September 14 WWE Raw, Penta was clear in his promo the following week that he wanted a rematch with ‘The OTC.’

Reigns will firstly have to make it through LA Knight at Money in the Bank, and while fans are hoping that ‘The Megastar’ gets his crowning moment in New Orleans, it’s hard to see it happening.

The reason Knight winning was considered improbable was due to the likelihood of Oba Femi waiting to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania 43, and the argument that Reigns losing the title before that match could diminish The Ruler’s big moment – even if he was to win it straight back.

That argument would certainly still be made if Penta were to dethrone Reigns, but at the same time, if WWE are intent on Penta becoming World Heavyweight Champion, he’s going to have to do it before the belt gets to Oba Femi.

Femi will likely have the gold for a while when he finally wins it, and Penta would only have until October 2027 to cash-in his opportunity. It feels like the best option for WWE, if they want Penta to win Reigns’ title is have him challenge ‘The OTC’ to a match at Survivor Series in Houston.

Penta can win, hold the belt until WrestleMania season, and then drop it back to Reigns in time for his match with Femi. In doing this however, Reigns would look weaker, Femi’s win would mean less and Penta’s run with the title would be a disappointment.

Moves to SmackDown to cash in on Sami Zayn

The better option, albeit one that would make Penta look like he’s somewhat afraid of ‘The OTC’ is him heading over to SmackDown to cash-in on Sami Zayn and the Undisputed WWE Championship instead.

The Undisputed WWE Title doesn’t have that clear and obvious path forward that the World Heavyweight Title does, so there’s way more flexibility for Penta to cash-in and actually get a decent run with the belt.

Granted, the SmackDown main event scene is packed right now. CM Punk, GUNTHER, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Johnny Gargano and Finn Balor are all currently vying for Zayn’s title, with Trick Williams also joining the hunt on last week’s SmackDown.

However, given the booking mess WWE would have to get into to facilitate a Penta World Heavyweight Title win pre-WrestleMania 43, a move to SmackDown seems the better option.

Waits until after WrestleMania 42

The final option has been touched upon, but Penta could always just play the long game and ride out his contract until after WrestleMania 43.

Sure, his momentum may not be what it is now by then, but it’s also not worth shoehorning Penta into the title picture unless it’s going to result in him getting a proper chance to hold the title for a decent amount of time.

That chance may not come if WWE have their creative plans in place until WrestleMania like Nick Khan recently claimed, so waiting it out and having Penta cash-in his briefcase on whoever holds the Undisputed WWE Title post-WrestleMania may be the way to go.

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• Penta
• wwe
• Money in the Bank

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