First two SmackDown wrestlers set for WWE Money in the Bank

WWE has revealed the first two SmackDown participants for Money in the Bank.

On tonight’s SmackDown, Big E defeated Apollo Crews to qualify for this year’s men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. It was also announced that Carmella will be taking part in this year’s women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

This will be the first Money in the Bank ladder match that Big E has participated in during his career.

Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, and Big E are the first four wrestlers to qualify for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

A triple threat last chance qualifying match between AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre on Monday’s Raw will determine Raw’s final participant for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. SmackDown has three more spots left to be filled. One of them will be determined when Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn face off in a Last Man Standing qualifying match on SmackDown next Friday.

Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, and Carmella are the first five wrestlers to qualify for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. 

Carmella didn’t have a qualifying match to get her Money in the Bank spot. WWE authority figure Sonya Deville instead announced her as SmackDown’s first participant for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Deville cited the previous success that Carmella has had in Money in the Bank.

Liv Morgan interrupted Carmella tonight and pointed out that she defeated Carmella two weeks ago. Deville made a match between Carmella and Morgan for tonight’s SmackDown and gave Morgan the chance to prove herself. Morgan defeated Carmella, but it wasn’t announced if Morgan will be getting a Money in the Bank spot.

Money in the Bank is taking place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday, July 18. It will be the first pay-per-view in WWE’s return to touring.