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7 WWE Superstars Who Should Win Money in the Bank

7 WWE Superstars Who Should Win Money in the Bank

Newsweek15-05-2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Money in the Bank is WWE's next major Premium Live Event (PLE), and its flagship match offers massive opportunities for two lucky Superstars.
Not only does this give them an opportunity to win a world title, it could also mean that they become the person who dethrones Cena's record-breaking 17th championship reign.
More Pro Wrestling: Recently Released Superstar Working With WWE Again
So let's take a look at the wrestlers who should be the ones to raise the briefcase over their heads in June.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 07: Damian Priest cashes in the Money in the Bank briefcase during Night Two at Lincoln Financial Field on April 07, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 07: Damian Priest cashes in the Money in the Bank briefcase during Night Two at Lincoln Financial Field on April 07, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Chelsea Green
Sadly, Chelsea Green no longer has the Women's United States Championship, having recently dropped it to Zelina Vega. While this could be seen as a negative, there is actually massive upside for Green: she can now go for a world title.
Given her persona and the likely assistance of the Secret Hervice, there is no doubt that Green could make a meal of having the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn will always be wildly over with the crowd due to his constant underdog status and his unbelievable likability. Despite this, one thing has always eluded Zayn: a world championship.
With the briefcase, Zayn can immediately put himself in the main event scene and give himself the major boost he needs to overcome that final milestone.
Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez remains one of the most exciting new talents on the main roster. And she more than proved that she is ready for the main event with her performance at the Royal Rumble.
Perez firmly established herself as a star in NXT, having won the NXT Women's Championship twice. Now, she could do the same by winning Women's Money in the Bank.
Drew McIntyre
Even though Drew McIntyre won the Men's Money in the Bank match last year, he was unable to cash in and lost the briefcase in a single day.
Since he is on a redemption tour this year, attacking everyone who has wronged him, it would only make sense for McIntyre to win the ladder match again, but this time be more patient and successful with his cash-in. Plus, this could give him a more satisfying title run than his previous two.
Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley remains one of the most dominant WWE Superstars on the roster, having won multiple world titles as well as the Women's Royal Rumble. It seems that all is missing is the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Ripley would be excellent with the briefcase, likely utilizing it in menacing fashion rather than being sneaky. Nothing would be scarier to a champion than when she showed up ringside and cashed in with pomp and circumstance.
Dominik Mysterio
Dominik Mysterio may be a heel right now, but the massive reaction he received at WrestleMania 41 when he won the Intercontinental Championship shows that this may not be the case for long.
Even if he were to make a face turn, his character likely wouldn't change, meaning he could still perform a sneaky cash-in. Plus, if Ripley were to also win, the photos of them together would be hilarious.
Naomi
Naomi has been on a tear, proving why she is one of the most underrated and valuable members of the WWE roster. She more than deserves her flowers for her excellent work recently, and the Money in the Bank briefcase is the way to get there.
Additionally, this would be a great way to introduce Jade Cargill to the main event scene given the two's history.
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For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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Golden Retriever Puppy Forgets How To Use Stairs, His Response Goes Viral
Golden Retriever Puppy Forgets How To Use Stairs, His Response Goes Viral

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Golden Retriever Puppy Forgets How To Use Stairs, His Response Goes Viral

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A golden retriever puppy's hesitation to walk down a set of stairs has left internet viewers in stitches. Savanna Evans (@savvyevans), 34, from Lakeway, Texas, shared a video of her puppy, Steve, lying halfway down the staircase and refusing to make his way to the bottom, despite her gentle words of encouragement. The clip has since gone viral, garnering more than 455,300 views and over 51,000 likes on TikTok. "The big stairs were no problem, but those last little ones? His ultimate nemesis," Evans told Newsweek. The video shows Steve facing his biggest "nemesis"—a small set of stairs inside the family's home. A split image of Steve the golden retriever sulking at the stairs. A split image of Steve the golden retriever sulking at the stairs. @savvyevans/@savvyevans She said that, while the puppy had no problem with the larger staircase, the smaller final steps completely stumped him. Normally, she added, Steve would attempt them only if bribed with treats, but in a follow-up clip, he managed it all on his own. Evans described Steve as goofy, silly, and full of charm, with a love for food and people alike. Evans said the sweetest part is the close bond Steve has formed with her 5-year-old son, calling them inseparable best friends. The family brought Steve home on the Fourth of July when he was just 8 weeks old. He had been the runt of the litter and the very last puppy left without any interest from others. To Evans, though, Steve was perfect, and her son's request for a puppy made the timing ideal. From the start, Steve fit seamlessly into the family. Evans reflected on how special the pup has become, noting that he went from being "the last pick" of his litter to the star of their household—and, now, a viral sensation. TikTok users couldn't get enough of Steve's antics. "This Golden is smart, because he knows walking the stairs at his age will be bad for his joints," posted Bart. "You got to walk with them," added Rich. "I feel he tumbled down the previous stairs and at this point he's like no thanks im good here," wrote Honey. "Sources say he is still there waiting …" commented Isabelle. "Those little legs are tired after all those stairs," one user shared. "Start of his manipulation! He's no fool," another viewer commented. "I want to land so many kisses on this floofy baby," added a third. Ashley shared a similar memory, writing: "My boy did something similar when he was about baby. I took him for a walk and as soon as we got in front of our driveway he plops down and refused to walk on the very short driveway to the house, I had to carry him." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

Luigi Mangione Musical Creators 'Glad' for Backlash: 'Humbling Experience'
Luigi Mangione Musical Creators 'Glad' for Backlash: 'Humbling Experience'

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Luigi Mangione Musical Creators 'Glad' for Backlash: 'Humbling Experience'

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Curtain call for Luigi: the Musical. The fringe production about the alleged killer, Luigi Mangione, has become one of the most talked-about theatre productions of the year. Before the show had even debuted, tickets had sold out, and there had been headline after headline about its mere existence. The subject matter is polarizing, as while some took no issue with a musical exploring one of the most covered and contentious criminal cases in recent history, some felt it was too soon, and others thought it risked glamorizing Mangione. In December of 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside of a hotel in Manhattan. What followed was a highly publicized nationwide manhunt, which culminated in Mangione's arrest in a Pennsylvania McDonald's. Mangione is charged with 11 counts, including first-degree murder "in furtherance of an act of terrorism"; two counts of second-degree murder; two counts of stalking; and a firearms offense. Federal prosecutors have announced their intent to seek the death penalty in Mangione's case. He has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges as well as terrorism charges. Since his arrest, the 27-year-old has been at the center of frenzied discourse both on and offline. The case and his arrest have reignited a debate about healthcare in America, and Mangione himself has been upheld as everything from a folk hero to a martyr and a sex symbol. Merchandise, including pint glasses carrying the phrase, "Deny, Defend, Depose," the words reportedly carved into ammunition casings near where Thompson was shot, has been sold. There have been Mangione t-shirts and multiple murals painted of him, not to mention the crowds of supporters at his court dates. Mangione is now incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, alongside Sean Diddy Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried. Bankman-Fried is the co-founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence. Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in his sex-trafficking trial, but not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. He remains detained at MDC, Brooklyn. The trio of these three high-profile incarcerated men is where the Mangione musical gets its inspiration. A surreal prison satire, the musical was written by Nova Bradford, Caleb Zeringue, Arielle Johnson and Andre Margatini. So far, it has starred Jonny Stein as Luigi, but actor Matthew Solomon is taking over for the next run of shows. Margatini plays Bankman-Fried, Zeringue plays the role of Sargeant De Larosa, and Janée Lucas plays the role of Combs. Photo-Illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Mariana Garcia/SharkPartyMedia The show is now headed to the Edinburgh Fringe for a limited run. Ahead of opening night, Newsweek spoke to Margatini and Zeringue for an exclusive interview on making the Mangione musical. 'A Humbling Experience' The response to the musical has perhaps not been surprising. Headlines have billed it as "Pro-Luigi," asked if it is "too soon," and said it is "pushing the boundaries of musical theatre." The court of public opinion is split, too. A post on X from the account @MAGAResource describing the musical as a "brazen display of left-wing depravity," and "trivializing a heinous murder," has been viewed over 300,000 times. A TikTok video from the account @thefatsycline, describing the musical as "brilliant," the cast as "fantastic," and the social commentary as "divine," has been viewed over 150,000 times. Left to Right: Andre Margatini as Sam Bankman Fried, Janée Lucas as Sean Diddy Combs and Jonny Stein as Luigi Mangione in Luigi: the Musical. Left to Right: Andre Margatini as Sam Bankman Fried, Janée Lucas as Sean Diddy Combs and Jonny Stein as Luigi Mangione in Luigi: the Musical. Mariana Garcia, Luigi: the Musical Asked about the criticism that the musical has received, Margatini told Newsweek "We're quite glad to see that kind of feedback." Pointing to the response to the Mangione case, Margatini said, "People are right to be wondering whether it's too soon for this kind of narrative, but we should also be asking that about how we consumed it and distributed it with social media in the immediate aftermath." "It feels too soon, but we're living in an age of too soon," Margatini said. The musical itself hit the internet like a supernova, instantly going viral. "We did one interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, and then my face was on Laura Ingraham," Zeringue told Newsweek. "It was a very surreal moment," Zeringue said, before describing it as "a humbling experience." Following the press attention, the team took a purposeful step back from the media. "We realised the most important thing to us is to make sure that the art is working and that we create the best piece of art that we can for the world," Zeringue said, adding that he is "very proud," of the team for "taking that step back to try to maintain the integrity of the art." In the face of the intense attention the musical received, Zeringue said they had to "grow up very fast." "I had a suspicion that this might strike a chord with certain outlets," Zeringue said, but likened the real-life experience of it to a kind of "twisted reality." For Margatini, the most shocking thing was that when they went viral, "No one, not even our friends of family, had seen the musical. No one had read it. No one had seen it." "It was quite shocking just to see how quickly one article telephoned into another article," Maragatini said. "It was quite telling and eye-opening to really be at the middle of that because it was so fabricated." 'A Disturbing and Fascinating Moment in our American Culture' The response to the Mangione case has been both endless and multifaceted. Across all spheres of the internet, you'll find takes on both sides of the political spectrum that are either vehemently against or in support of Mangione. What they have in common is their loud and impassioned nature. Andre Margatini as Sam Bankman Fried in Luigi the Musical. Andre Margatini as Sam Bankman Fried in Luigi the Musical. Mariana Garcia, Luigi: the Musical For Margatini, the thing that was the most interesting about the case was the cultural conversation immediately after. They described this to Newsweek as a "Disturbing and fascinating moment in our American culture." "We're inundated with gun violence all of the time," Margatini said. "Very few shootings get massive attention because there's just so many of them." For Margatini, irrespective of how a person may feel about Mangione himself, "The fact that there were so many conversations warranted attention." As for why they believe the case resonated in the way that it did, Margatini attributes this to the intersection of discourse about gun violence and the healthcare system. "We're at this moment in time where virality is part of how we communicate," they said. Margatini said that the image of Mangione was "rapidly moving around the Internet in such a hugely uncontrollable way that we were intentionally slowing down that conversation." The fact that the musical is about Mangione has led to many assuming that it is pro-Mangione, a narrative that assumes guilt by association. The truth, though, is much more complex. Part of the about section of the Mangione musical website reads: "Luigi: the Musical doesn't glorify violence, it interrogates it. Beneath the absurdity and punchlines lies a serious critique of how violence is packaged, sold, and consumed in American media." "The majority of the musical is telling this narrative story of a potentially motivating backstory for Luigi," Margatini said. But the musical pivots. "Our last song is an alarming portrayal of what it means for us to hold up some sort of vigilantism as a solution to systemic violence," Margatini said. "The musical takes a turn in the very last number that is eerie and it's uncomfortable... it asks the question, what kind of world are we living that we have turned someone into a vigilante to solve this systemic issue." The musical was inspired by the fact that Mangione, Combs, and Bankman-Fried were all incarcerated in the same facility, a setup so strange that you couldn't write it. While the show explores ideas around violence and vigilantism, it also explores ideas around fame and celebrity. Caleb Zeringue as the Guard in Luigi, the Musical Caleb Zeringue as the Guard in Luigi, the Musical Mariana Garcia, Luigi the Musical "Celebrities can kind of sometimes stand in for something that feels like, deity light or some sort of untouchable figure," Zeringue told Newsweek. "We are sometimes drawn to packaged narratives that can help us have a clear-cut understanding of what's going on in the world, because we're all trying to create a sense of meaning, especially in an age where we're kind of inundated with information all of the time." "There's one lyric that I think illustrates this pretty well in the final song, 'Our institutions are too complex to understand how things connect,'" Zeringue said. 'Just because we're making a comedy doesn't mean we don't take it seriously' Pointing to the response that the Mangione case has had, Zeringue told Newsweek, "One thing we're proud of right now is using art to help the world process these emotions." But there is one element of the musical he is firm on: "Just because we're making a comedy doesn't mean we don't take it seriously," he told Newsweek, adding, "We really try to interrogate the sides of all of what people feel towards Luigi," Zeringue said. Jonny Stein as Luigi Mangione and Caleb Zeringue as the Guard on stage in Luigi: the Musical. Jonny Stein as Luigi Mangione and Caleb Zeringue as the Guard on stage in Luigi: the Musical. Mariana Garcia, Luigi: The Musical Zeringue said that his character in the musical, the guard, has "complex emotions that we think is a mirror to what the world is going through around the circumstances with the case." "I am very grateful that I think we were lucky enough as artists to create a mirror, to society," Zeringue said. "We don't want to give answers. We just want people to feel kind of confused and ask themselves more questions whenever they leave when they came in." And for the team, this is only the beginning. Zeringue told Newsweek that beyond exploring venues in New York and Los Angeles to stage the show, they're looking at creating their own production company to potentially make a second half of this musical, or other projects entirely. "We have so many amazingly talented people on this team and now that we've found each other, I can only imagine we're going to have plenty of art to be making and sharing," Margatini told Newsweeek. Luigi: The Musical will be showing at Just The Tonic, Just The Club at the Edinburgh Fringe from Tuesday, August 19 to Saturday, August 23.

'Bursting With Joy': 100-Year-Old Woman Reflects on Her WWII Love Story
'Bursting With Joy': 100-Year-Old Woman Reflects on Her WWII Love Story

Newsweek

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'Bursting With Joy': 100-Year-Old Woman Reflects on Her WWII Love Story

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Toni Cilberti was "bursting with joy" on October 5, 1947, the day of her wedding to Nicholas Cilberti. She wore a wedding dress that, today, may seem a bit unusual. Instead of satin or silk, her dress was made out of a nylon parachute used by her new husband from his time in the U.S. military. During World War II, when silk was in short supply, this was a common practice for brides. "I was so proud, I remember the day walking down the aisle, holding on to my father's arm. I was so proud," Toni Cilberti, now 100, said in an interview with Newsweek. "I was bursting with joy because I was wearing the nylon parachute wedding gown." Toni Cilberti stands with her wedding dress, made from a nylon parachute, at the National WWII Museum. Toni Cilberti stands with her wedding dress, made from a nylon parachute, at the National WWII Museum. Courtesy of The National WWII Museum. The couple's love story, however, began with a different feeling—annoyance, she said. The Cilbertis met when they were children. Nicholas, or Nick, Cilberti was the brother of her best friend Carmel and would frequently "agonize" her. "He was like my worst person I wanted to be near," she said. "They stood on the corner and they tackled you when you went by from school." But years later, the childhood teasing would eventually turn into a blossoming romance after he went off to fight in World War II, she said. Carmel, who began dating Toni Cilberti's brother, suggested she should write to Nick Cilberti while he was abroad. She was reluctant, however. "I said, 'Absolutely not'," Toni Cilberti said. "'You know we can't stand each other.' And so she said, 'Well, if you don't write to my brother, I'm going to stop writing to your brother.' Well, I didn't want to break up that relationship, so I did begin writing. But I said, 'You ask him to send me the letter first, and then I'll respond.' So that's the way it went." Relationship Turning Point Those letters became a turning point in their relationship. Toni Cilberti described them as "the nicest letters you'd ever want to receive"—lovely and fun, but nothing "gooey or gushy." After months of writing, Nick Cilberti said he would be returning home on break and looked forward to dating her. Toni Cilberti wasn't sure how to react—writing letters was one thing, after all, but dating was different. But she decided she couldn't say no and accepted a date. It ended up being the "nicest time" she'd had in awhile, she said. "Before, he was like the teenage terror. But now he was a gentleman in the service, and he must have learned a lot because he was a perfect gentleman. I had such a good time I couldn't believe. I got home, and I couldn't just believe it. Ever since then, we got along just perfectly," she said. Dancing became a favorite date for the couple, she said, noting that he was an "excellent dancer." Nick Cilberti eventually had to return to the service, but they continued communicating through letters. "He would tell me about all his thoughts while he was away from his family and his home," Toni Cilberti said. "He told me about some of his experiences during the war and some of it was censored and blocked out." Letters were a frequent means of communication for couples separated by the war, Kimberly Guise, senior curator and director for curatorial affairs at The National WWII Museum, told Newsweek. "The most concrete evidence of these relationships is in correspondence," she said. "So written accounts of the time. Most of the letters at the time talk about that longing, wanting to be with someone, wanting to be being able to wait till they can be reunited." While Nick Cilberti was in service, Toni Cilberti would frequent the movies, where news reels showed the latest on the war, she said. Everyone in the community seemed affected by the conflict but tried to make the best of the situation, she said, adding that there were very few of her male classmates at her senior ball as many were sent abroad. "I don't remember running into anyone that was not conscious of the war and was trying to do everything for the war effort," she said. "We all seemed to blend together and work together." One day, the letters from Nick Cilberti stopped. He had been flying in a B-29 over Tokyo on his 16th mission when he and his fellow soldiers were "hit so bad that they didn't think they could get back to their formation," Tony Cilberti said. They tried to make it back to their landing field but lost a few of their engines on the way. They decided they either had to land on a remote island in the Philippines or jump into the ocean. They crash landed on an uncharted island in the Philippines chain. "It was stifling hot," she said. "They had nothing to eat but some vegetation." They were hesitant to drink the water due to concerns about pollution and had to watch a baby monkey drink from it first to determine it was safe for them, she said. Upon exploring the remote island, they encountered a group of Japanese soldiers and had to engage in hand-to-hand combat, she said. Eventually, they came across some friendly natives who helped them make a canoe from a tree trunk and sent them off to the next island. The group continued traveling from island to island until they reached their base—29 days after the crash. Had they been lost for just one more day, the soldiers would have been declared missing in action, she said. From Near Tragedy to Nuptials Nick Cilberti was treated in a local hospital, as the soldiers became infected with dysentery and other diseases contracted in the hot, humid region, and was discharged a few months later. The military offered him a trip back home on a plane but he was not quite ready to fly again, Toni Cilberti said. After a few months, a steamer arrived that could bring him back to the U.S. He was discharged from the military in 1946. "He brought home with him a parachute, a nylon parachute," she said. "Now, that parachute was fascinating to him and to his family, so they kept it. Then we began visiting each other. We began going out on dates, and then it became kind of personal for both of us, so we decided that I was to be his girlfriend, and he was to be my boyfriend." They got married about a year later, she said. A wedding photo of Toni and Nick Cilberti. A wedding photo of Toni and Nick Cilberti. Courtesy of The National WWII Museum. When it came to the dress, Japanese-produced silk was hard to get due to the war, she said. But her future mother-in-law was a seamstress and suggested they repurpose the parachute. "I remember we sat in a big sewing circle fashioned in her living room, opened up the parachute, and close friends of the family and related people in the family, we all sat around the parachute and each of us had a stitch ripper, and we took the panels apart, stitch by stitch by stitch," she said. "She put it all together and made this beautiful wedding gown." In the years after the war, the couple "did a lot of dancing and a lot of traveling," to areas like Cape Cod, and began their family seven years later. They had two daughters and settled in Glenville in New York's Capital region. Nick Cilberti became involved in the community, serving as a volunteer firefighter and beginning a career in electroplating, while Toni Cilberti became involved in volunteering. They lived happily together for decades, until Nick Cilberti passed away in 1992 at the age of 69. Toni Cilberti celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year and remains active in her community, going dancing, clogging bowling and volunteering at a local children's hospital, she said. "My dear husband is always at the back in my mind. We had such a beautiful relationship," she said. "He was such a tremendous dancer. He was, as I said, an elegant dancer." Now, her wedding dress, which she kept on the top shelf of her closet for decades, rests in the National WWII Museum in New Orleans as part of the Malcolm S. Forbes Rare and Iconic Artifacts Gallery.

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