WWE originally planned for Roxanne Perez and Bron Breakker to win this year’s Money in the Bank Ladder Matches before changing course, according to False Finish. The briefcases instead went to Tiffany Stratton and Penta at Saturday’s premium live event in New Orleans.
The switch in the women’s match was reportedly driven by WWE’s desire to surprise the audience. TC of WrestleVotes said Perez had become one of the top picks among fans, which led the creative team to look for a less predictable outcome.
TC added that Stratton’s win will let WWE build on her current storyline with WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green. The two are friends on screen, though speculation has started about Stratton eventually cashing in on Green.
In Penta’s case, the change in plans reportedly began to gain momentum after he challenged Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship on the Sept. 14 episode of RAW in Mexico City.
The creative team came to view Penta as one of the top favorites to win the men’s ladder match, as previously reported. The reaction to his performance against Reigns also reportedly led to internal discussions about a possible title rematch.
Despite missing out on the briefcase, Perez is still jockeying for position in the women’s division. On Monday’s RAW, she defeated Green in a non-title match with help from Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan won the Women’s World Championship at Money in the Bank.
Breakker also appeared on Monday’s RAW, attacking Je’Von Evans during Penta’s celebration of his Money in the Bank win. The attack came after Evans congratulated Penta.