Tony Chimel introduced the first of two MITB ladder matches tonight, starting with the Smackdown ladder match. Sin Cara’s music played first and he did his trampoline entrance into the ring. Wade Barrett was out second. Some new music played to bring out Justin Gabriel, who Cole noted is “jazzed” after spending time in South Africa last week on the Smackdown tour. Out fourth was Sheamus, who Cole said is competing in his first MITB ladder match.
For the second-half of the intros, Cody Rhodes came out fifth. Rhodes slowly walked past a ladder on-stage and the announcers joked about Rhodes’s face never healing. Some new generic rock music then brought out Heath Slater. Daniel Bryan was out next to a solid reaction compared to the previous six. Booker noted Bryan’s in his Fave Five this week. Rounding out the field, Kane came out for his fifth MITB ladder match.
SIN CARA vs. WADE BARRETT vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. SHEAMUS vs. CODY RHODES vs. HEATH SLATER vs. DANIEL BRYAN vs. KANE – Smackdown MITB ladder match
After a battle royal-style beginning with men trying to club each other to clear out space, they started setting up some one-on-one and three-way spots in the ring. One ladder found itself in the middle of the ring to be used as a prop early on. At 4:00, Bryan and Gabriel pulled off back-to-back flying moves on the outside. Slater then executed a twisting corkscrew plancha before Sin Cara tried to top them all with a leaping splash on Sheamus ringside. Early on, they seemed to be going for that “ooooh” reaction from the crowd rather than trying to win the match.
Sin Cara executed his top-rope finisher on Bryan to a reaction, then pointed to the briefcase, but didn’t have a ladder. Sin Cara went to the outside looking for a ladder, but Barrett kicked him in the face. Barrett then took himself out when Cara ducked a clothesline and Barrett ate the ringpost. Sheamus followed with a Brogue Kick on Sin Cara before powerbombing him off the ring apron through a ladder propped up ringside. Sin Cara sold with trembling fingers as the crowd popped. Refs and medics checked on Cara to sell the move as Booker noted he tried to avoid these matches at all costs.
At 9:00, the match reset with Kane and Sheamus battling in the ring. Meanwhile, Sin Cara was stretchered away from the ringside area. So, they’re down to seven. Kane teased a climb for the briefcase, but a Corre reunion dragged down Kane. Suddenly, Rhodes scaled the ladder behind everyone’s backs, but Corre cut him off. Corre then cut off Bryan. All three then surveyed the scene and Barrett tried to take the lead, but Slater and Gabriel decided to yank him down and deliver a beating. Gabriel and Slater then raced up the ladder looking for the case, but Rhodes shoved both of them off the ladder.
Rhodes set up for a climb to the case, but Barrett yanked him down. More up and downs before Rhodes dropped Barrett with Cross Rhodes. Rhodes went back up the case, but Sheamus cut him off and delivered the Irish Curse backbreaker. Bryan and Sheamus then battled on the ladder, giving the pro-Bryan crowd a little tease. Kane proceeded to clean house and build some momentum before the crowd chanted, “Daniel Bryan,” when Bryan re-entered the action. Slater began climbing in the background, though, and then cut off Bryan with a neckbreaker off the ladder.
At 18:00, they hit a bit of a lull with some weak false finishes and teased ladder spots that didn’t materialize. Sheamus then cleaned house to breathe life back into the match. Sheamus pointed to the case and started climbing, but Kane met him up top when Sheamus had one hand on the case. Kane then goozled Kane and chokeslammed off the ladder onto another ladder below. Big splat and Sheamus fell to the floor. For the next chapter, the rest of the Smackdown competitors entered the ring for a mid-ring battle. Gabriel suddenly stood atop a ladder on the top turnbuckle, balanced himself, and landed a 450 splash on Kane. Big-move spots ensued in the ring before Barrett was the last man standing. Barrett went climbing, but Rhodes yanked him down and clotheslined him over the top rope.
In the background at 23:00, Bryan tried sneaking up the ladder, but Rhodes cut him off. Bryan and Rhodes founds themselves at the top of the ladder, then Barrett climbed up behind them. Barrett fought off Rhodes, then knocked Barrett down the ladder. Barrett came back, though, with a Wasteland attempt, only to have Bryan land multiple elbow strikes to the neck. Bryan then kicked Barrett off the top and Bryan was alone on the ladder. The crowd came to their feet as Bryan reached up, grabbed the case, struggled to unhook it, and finally unhooked it to win the match.
Post-match: Bryan dropped down to the mat and clutched the briefcase as the announcers noted this could be a career-changing moment for Bryan. The vocal males chanted, “Daniel Bryan,” as Bryan continued to sell shock and Cole ate crow on commentary after knocking Bryan throughout the match. After a replay of high points in the match, they showed Bryan celebrating with the case again.
WINNER: Bryan at 24:27.