The Surprising WWE Superstar Holding Back Trick Williams

This weekend, on October 10 in New Orleans, WWE will crown two more Money in the Bank winners at the annual Premium Live Event. Whoever takes down the briefcases will then have a year to challenge for the title of their choosing. On the men’s side, it’s a stacked lineup of both veterans and rising stars made up of CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Penta, Trick Williams, Bron Breakker, and Je’Von Evans. While any man could realistically win this year, just a few weeks ago Trick Williams felt like a lock to win Money in the Bank as he continues his rise to the top. However, the sudden rise of another superstar means Trick Willy is going to have to wait and find the route to a world title opportunity a different way.

Fans Quickly Got Behind Trick Williams When He Debuted on SmackDown

• Trick Williams went from being Carmelo Hayes’ sidekick to an NXT and TNA Champion.
• Fans refused to boo Trick, even though he was booked as a heel.
• Williams is a two-time United States Champion.

Trick Williams’ success in WWE feels like it came out of nowhere. When he signed with WWE in 2021, he had very little wrestling experience and was made the sidekick to Carmelo Hayes in NXT. Due to his impressive look and off-the-charts charisma, Trick eventually broke out on his own, becoming both an NXT and TNA World Champion during his developmental days. He even got to work with none other than the Undertaker.

When Williams made his main roster debut on SmackDown, he was booked as a cocky heel. Fans wouldn’t have it. From the moment his infectious theme music hit, thousands of fans chanted “Whoop that trick” and cheered everything he said and did. This eventually led to Sami Zayn having to turn heel, and in no time, Williams became a two-time United States Champion on the cusp of rising to the main event.

Penta Is Now the Favorite to Win Money in the Bank

• Trick Williams was the perfect choice to win the 2026 men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
• Penta thrilled fans in his match with Roman Reigns at Raw in Mexico City.
• Penta wasn’t WWE’s original choice to win the Money in the Bank briefcase.

At the beginning of last month, the men’s Money in the Bank lineup would have led most fans to believe that Trick Williams was going to win the briefcase. CM Punk and Kevin Owens don’t need it, Bron Breakker can find another path, and Je’Von Evans isn’t quite ready. Trick, at the age of 32, is not too young for the responsibility, and he has all the tools to be a top sports entertainer. But then along came Penta. The lucha libre legend has thrilled everywhere he’s gone, but outside of a time as the Impact World Champion, he’s mostly been a midcarder. Even his run in AEW was badly booked at times.

Although he became a multi-time Intercontinental Champion in WWE, Triple H often didn’t book Penta the best either. That changed in September 2026. After winning a tournament to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Title, he delivered a jaw-dropping performance in Mexico City, coming up short but showing that he belonged under the brightest spotlight. That match has made him even more popular, and WWE can now say they have found the true successor to Rey Mysterio, even if he is 41.

According to a report from WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, Penta, who was not WWE’s original choice to win Money in the Bank, is now the “heavy favorite” to win. While the report doesn’t say what WWE’s original plans were, they had to revolve around Trick Williams.

Trick Williams Will Still Become a World Champion Sooner Rather Than Later

• Veterans like Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Cody Rhodes are the main event of WWE.
• The Undertaker thinks very highly of Trick Williams.
• Trick will take a different path to becoming a world champion.

WWE is currently ruled by older veterans like Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Randy Orton. The passage of time means this can’t continue much longer. Sometime soon, a new generation will take over, and WWE has a great lineup waiting in the wings. Oba Femi is going to be the next face of WWE, most likely after he beats Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 43. He won’t be unchallenged though. Bron Breakker has been booked much better lately and Je’Von Evans has energy like few others. Just as good as any of them, if not better, is Trick Williams. Ask the Undertaker and he’ll tell you the same thing.

Trick Williams isn’t winning Money in the Bank. That’s a shame. Just imagine how decked out his briefcase would have been. And with Sami Zayn as the current WWE Champion, it would have given him the perfect opportunity to cash in on his former foe as soon as possible. That’s now out the window, and Trick will have to find a different path. This doesn’t mean Williams is being demoted and pushed down the card. He’ll just have to wait a little while longer. He’s not going to hold the briefcase which guarantees him a title shot. That’s okay. With his tremendously fast rise and popularity, he’s already earned one. By 2027 he will be a world champion, no matter the route he takes to get there.