WWE has confirmed that the World Heavyweight Championship match between Roman Reigns and LA Knight will open Money in the Bank 2026. The Premium Live Event will take place this Saturday, October 10th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, starting at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (12:00 AM Sunday in peninsular Spain) and will be broadcast live on the ESPN app in the United States and on Netflix in the rest of the world.
The decision represents a significant change from the information published in recent days. Roman Reigns and LA Knight were initially considered the top candidates to close the show, but WWE has ultimately chosen to place their match at the beginning of the card.
The announcement comes just two days after WrestleVotes Radio, through Fightful Select, reported that WWE was planning to book the main event of Money in the Bank for Roman Reigns and LA Knight.
According to that report, the company had briefly considered the possibility of the men's ladder match closing the night, but ultimately decided on the defense of the World Heavyweight Championship.
However, the confirmation of the card order shows that plans have changed before the event takes place. The title match will be the one to kick off the show, a position that WWE usually reserves for matches capable of generating a significant reaction from the get-go.
The rivalry between Reigns and Knight has intensified in recent weeks after the latter attacked the champion following a title defense against Penta in Mexico.
That incident led to WWE officially announcing the World Heavyweight Championship match, giving Knight a new opportunity to capture the brand's top title.
One of the main consequences of the announcement is related to the traditional men's ladder match, where the winner earns a contract that allows them to challenge for a world championship at a time of their choosing within the established timeframe.
Having Roman Reigns defend his title at the beginning of the show reduces the chances of an immediate cash-in on the champion after the men's ladder match, at least following the usual Money in the Bank structure.
If the briefcase match takes place after the Reigns vs. Knight showdown, the winner cannot intervene immediately after the title defense, as has happened in other editions of the event.
However, this doesn't mean a same-night cash-in is impossible. WWE could develop a special situation later on or save the contract for future weeks.
The men's Money in the Bank match will feature six participants:
Among them, CM Punk stands out, as he already knows what it means to win the Money in the Bank briefcase. The wrestler qualified for this edition after defeating Finn Bálor and Gunther in a triple threat match on SmackDown.
As of now, WWE has not officially confirmed which match will headline Money in the Bank 2026.
The most likely scenario is that the men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match will be the one to close the night, especially considering it had already been considered as an alternative during previous creative discussions.
The presence of Bron Breakker, CM Punk, Kevin Owens, and Penta provides enough appeal to position the match in a prominent spot, while Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans will have the opportunity to achieve one of the biggest victories of their respective careers.
Furthermore, the outcome could immediately alter the landscape of the World Heavyweight Championship or the WWE Undisputed Championship.
In the latter case, Sami Zayn has not announced any defense of the WWE Undisputed Championship at Money in the Bank, so his situation could also become relevant depending on who secures the contract.
However, any possibility of a cash-in or surprise appearance should be considered speculation until WWE announces new details.
WWE Money in the Bank 2026 will take place this Saturday, October 10th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The show will start at 6:00 PM ET, which is midnight on Sunday, October 11th in peninsular Spain.
ES
US
