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{{short description|Recurring professional wrestling tournament by WWE}} {{short description|Recurring professional wrestling tournament by WWE}}
{{about|the tournament|the event series|King of the Ring}}] won the 1996 King of the Ring tournament.]]
'''King of the Ring tournament''' is a ] ] held by ]. The tournament was held annually from 1985 to 2002, with the exception of 1990 and 1992. From 1993 to 2002, the tournament was produced as a ] event.
The '''King of the Ring tournament''' is a men's ] ] held periodically by ], a ]-based ]. Established in 1985, the winner of the inaugural tournament was ].<ref name="KotR1985tournament" /> The prize for winning the tournament is being crowned the "King of the Ring"; some wrestlers have incorporated this into their character, such as adorning king's attire and acting and speaking with a regal attitude. On two occasions, the tournament has awarded an additional reward, that being for a ] match (first in 2002<ref name="KotR2002tournament" /> and then in 2024).<ref name="profightdbKingOfRing" /><ref name="K&Q2024announced" /> The tournament is also notable for beginning ]'s rise to stardom after he won the ].<ref name="profightdbKingOfRing" /> The most recent ] was won by ].<ref name="K&Q2024announced" />


The tournament was established when the promotion was still called the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, renamed to WWE in 2002).<ref name="GetFOut" /> It was held annually from 1985 to 2002, with the exception of 1990 and 1992. The tournaments from 1985 to 1989 and in 1991 were held as special non-televised ]s.<ref name="KotR1985tournament" /><ref name="KotR2002tournament" /> A ] (PPV) event titled ] then began airing as the annual June PPV from 1993<ref name="KotR1993tournament" /> until the final PPV in 2002; these titular PPVs featured the final few matches of that year's tournament as well as other matches not part of the tournament. After a four-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2006<ref name="KotR2006tournament" /> and has since been held periodically with the most recent occurring in 2021. These tournaments' matches aired across episodes of '']'' and '']'' with the finals occurring at a different PPV, such as ] for 2006,<ref name="KotR2006tournament" /> or on an episode of ''Raw''. The semifinals and final of the 2015 tournament aired exclusively as a ] event. The PPV event will return in 2024, rebranded as ], incorporating the ], a women's version that was established in 2021 and originally called Queen's Crown.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
The tournament endured a four-year hiatus until its return in 2006 as an exclusive event of the ] ]. The tournament returned as an inter-brand event for both SmackDown and ] in 2008, 2010, and 2015. WWE released a best of King of the Ring DVD in late 2011. It returned in 2019 for both brands.

WWE introduced the ] in early 2002 and the tournament that year was held for wrestlers from both the ] and ] brands. When the tournament returned in 2006,<ref name="KotR2006tournament" /> it was held exclusively for wrestlers from SmackDown.<ref name="KotR2006tournament" /> The tournaments in 2008 and 2010 were held as interbrand tournaments, with the one in 2008 also featuring wrestlers from Raw and ], while the one in 2010 just featured those from Raw and SmackDown after ECW was disbanded earlier that same year. The 2015 tournament occurred when the brand split was not in effect. The brand split was reinstated in 2016, and tournaments held since have featured two brackets, one each for Raw and SmackDown, with the bracket winners then facing each other in the tournament final.


== History == == History ==

===Prior to pay-per-view===
=== Early tournaments ===
Although the King of the Ring tournament was not made into a pay-per-view event until 1993, the original King of the Ring tournament was held in 1985. ] won the tournament last defeating ].
The ] was held by the ] (WWF) on July 8, 1985, at the ] in ]. The inaugural tournament was won by ], who defeated ] in the final. In addition to the tournament, there was only one other match during the night, in which ] defeated ] to retain the ].<ref name="KotR1985tournament">{{Cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/wwf/king-of-the-ring-3985-3569.html|title=WWF King of the Ring '85 at Sullivan Stadium wrestling results – Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.profightdb.com|access-date=2019-10-08}}</ref> Further King of the Ring tournaments were held from 1986 to 1989 and in 1991.<ref name="profightdbKingOfRing">{{Cite web |title=WWF King of the Ring '91 at Providence Civic Center wrestling results – Internet Wrestling Database |url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/wwf/king-of-the-ring-3991-3574.html |access-date=2019-10-08 |website=www.profightdb.com}}</ref> These early tournaments were held as special non-televised ]s in an effort to boost attendance at these events. The reward for winning the tournament was the title "King of the Ring", although ] ] was the only one to carry this gimmick onto television during these early years of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaston |first1=Erik |title=WWE King of the Ring: Everything You Need to Know About Historical Tournament |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2850084-wwe-ring-of-the-ring-everything-you-need-to-know-about-historical-tournament |website=] |access-date=April 9, 2021 |date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>


=== Pay-per-view === === Pay-per-view ===
{{Main|King of the Ring}}
The ] was an event in which typically sixteen wrestlers wrestled in a one-on-one ]. When a wrestler wins a match in the bracket, he advances to take on another wrestler who has also won. The final few matches would then take place at that year's King of the Ring event. The winner of the final match is officially crowned the King of the Ring. There were also other matches that took place at the King of the Ring event since it was a traditional three-hour pay-per-view. The King of the Ring pay-per-view was considered one of the WWE's "Big Five" events of the year, along with the ], ], ] and ], up until its disestablishment after the ].
In 1993, the WWF began to produce an annual June ] (PPV) titled ]. The ] took place on June 13, 1993, at the ] in ]. Unlike the previous non-televised events, the PPV did not feature all of the tournament's matches. Instead, several of the qualifying matches preceded the event with the final few matches then taking place at the pay-per-view. There were also other matches that took place at the event as it was a traditional three-hour pay-per-view.<ref name="KotR1993tournament">{{cite web|title=King of the Ring 1993|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/kingring.html#93|access-date=2008-10-02}}</ref> The King of the Ring pay-per-view was considered one of the promotion's "Big Five" PPVs of the year, along with the ], ], ], and ], up until its disestablishment as a PPV event after the ]—the 2002 tournament was the first tournament (and the only until 2024) to award the winner a reward other than the title of "King of the Ring"; winner ] received a match for the ] at that year's ].<ref name="KotR2002tournament">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering02/ |title=King of the Ring 2002 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date=June 23, 2002 |access-date=2010-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524213757/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering02/ |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}</ref> Also in early 2002, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE),<ref name=GetFOut>{{cite web| title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment| publisher=WWE| url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| access-date=August 28, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119180317/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| archive-date=January 19, 2009| df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the promotion introduced the ], in which the roster was divided between brands where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform.<ref name="BrandExtensionPressRelease">{{cite press release|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp |title=WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands |publisher=] |date=March 27, 1993 |access-date=April 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417115226/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp |archive-date=April 17, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> The 2002 tournament was in turn held for wrestlers from both brands.<ref name="KotR2002tournament" />


=== Revivals === === Revivals ===
], king of the ring 2010.]]After a four-year hiatus, the tournament ] and was held exclusively for wrestlers from the SmackDown! brand. Unlike the previous years, however, there was not an associated pay-per-view. Instead, tournament matches took place across episodes of '']''. The final of the 2006 tournament did occur at a PPV, but it was at ] where ] defeated ] in the tournament final.<ref name="KotR2006tournament">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/judgment.html#2006|title=Judgment Day 2006 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=2007-12-16}}</ref> The tournament then ], and was held as a special episode of '']'' on April 21. This tournament was held for wrestlers from all three of WWE's brands at the time—Raw, SmackDown, and ], the latter of which was established as a third brand in 2006. The 2008 tournament was won by Raw's ], who defeated ECW's ] in the final.<ref name="KotR2008tournament">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/080421.html|title=WWE Raw Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=2010-08-28}}</ref> The ] was then held in November that year. Qualifying matches occurred on the November 22 episode of ''Raw'' with the tournament itself being held on the November 29 episode. The 2010 tournament only featured wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown, as ECW had been disbanded in February that year. It was won by Raw's ], who defeated ], also from Raw, in the final.<ref name="KotR2010tournament">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/29/16367731.html|title=Raw: King of the Ring crowned|date=29 November 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=30 November 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]|archive-date=30 June 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630092759/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/29/16367731.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
After a four-year hiatus, the tournament would return in 2006, the first since the 1991 edition that was not on pay-per-view, which was won by ], who faced ] in the final at ]. The tournament would return in 2008 on the April 23 episode of ''Raw'', which was won by ], who faced ] in the finale, and in 2010 on the November 29 episode of ''Raw'', which was won by ], who faced ] in the finale. After a five-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2015 on the April 27 episode of ''Raw'', with the final taking place the next night on the ]. Bad News Barrett defeated ] in the final round. After a four-year hiatus, WWE announced the return of the tournament in 2019. On the August 12, 2019 episode of ''Raw'', it was announced the 2019 King of The Ring tournament would begin on the August 19, 2019 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>https://heelbynature.com/wrestling-news/wwe-news/wwe-king-of-the-ring-tournament-announced/</ref>

After a five-year hiatus, the tournament ]. Quarterfinal matches were held on the April 27 episode of ''Raw'', with the semifinals and final airing the following night exclusively as an event on WWE's online streaming service, the ], which launched in February 2014. ] defeated ] in the final. At this time, the brand split was not in effect as the brand extension had been dissolved in August 2011; also in April 2011, the promotion ceased using its full name with "WWE" becoming an ].<ref name="KotR2015tournament">{{Cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwsuperstarsreport/article_84725.shtml#.VUBW9tLBzGc|title=PWTorch.com – CALDWELL'S WWE KOTR SPECIAL REPORT 4/28: Complete "virtual-time coverage" of King of the Ring finals on WWE Network|website=pwtorch.com|access-date=2017-11-27}}</ref> After another four-year hiatus and after the brand extension had been reinstated in 2016, the tournament ] and featured wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown. In this tournament, there was a Raw bracket and a SmackDown bracket and the winners of each faced off in the King of the Ring tournament final, becoming the standard for future tournaments. Tournament matches began on the August 19 episode of ''Raw'' and were held across episodes of ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' over the next month.<ref>{{cite web |author1=HBN Staff |title=WWE King Of The Ring Tournament Announced |url=https://heelbynature.com/wrestling-news/wwe-news/wwe-king-of-the-ring-tournament-announced/ |website=Heel By Nature |date=August 12, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2021}}</ref> The final was originally scheduled to occur at that year's ] event, but was rescheduled to occur on the following night's episode of ''Raw'' on September 16.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Casey |first1=Connor |title=King of the Ring Tournament Finals Scrapped From Clash of Champions, Pushed to WWE Raw |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-king-of-the-ring-tournament-finals-moved-wwe-raw-clash-of-champions-baron-corbin-chad-gable/ |website=ComicBook |access-date=July 9, 2021 |date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> The tournament was won by Raw's ], who defeated SmackDown's ] in the final.<ref name="KotR2019tournament">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2019-wwe-king-of-the-ring-bracket-winners-tournament-matches-results-dates-schedule/|title=2019 WWE King of the Ring bracket, winners, tournament matches, results, dates, schedule|date=September 10, 2019|last1=Silverstein|first1=Adam|last2=Crosby|first2=Jack|work=]|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>

The tournament ] and was again between wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown. It began on the October 8 episode of ''SmackDown'' and continued across episodes of ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'', with the final held at the ] event on October 21, 2021. Additionally, a women's version of the tournament was introduced, called ], and was held simultaneously alongside the men's tournament.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1444099692867031042|user=WWE|title=HERE WE GO!! #SmackDown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-02|title=WWE announces Queen's Crown and King of the Ring tournaments|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/10/01/wwe-announces-queens-crown-and-king-of-the-ring-tournaments/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE Announces 2021 King of the Ring and Queen's Crown Tournaments|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-king-of-the-ring-queens-crown-tournaments-2021-wwe-smackdown-season-premiere/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Currier |first1=Joseph |title=KOTR, QUEEN'S CROWN TOURNAMENT MATCHES SET FOR WWE SMACKDOWN |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/kotr-queens-crown-tournament-matches-set-wwe-smackdown-355651 |website=] |access-date=October 9, 2021 |date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> Raw's ] defeated SmackDown's ] to win the 2021 tournament.<ref name="CrownJewel2021">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Big E vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, Edge vs. Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match, Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley in a No Holds Barred match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/21/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-brock-lesnar-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-becky-lynch-vs-sasha-banks-vs-bianca-belair-for-the-smackdown-womens-championshi/ |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=October 21, 2021|access-date=October 21, 2021}}</ref>


===Return to pay-per-view and livestreaming===
== Using as a gimmick==
In March 2023, it was announced that the tournament would return to having its own PPV and livestreaming event, but rebranded as "King and Queen of the Ring" to also incorporate the Queen's Crown tournament, and it would be held in ] as part of WWE's partnership with the country.<ref name="2023confirmed">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-king-and-queen-of-the-ring-2023|title=WWE to return to Jeddah for WWE King and Queen of the Ring at the Jeddah Superdome on Sat. May 27|date=March 6, 2023|author=WWE.com Staff|work=]|access-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref> However, on April 13, it was announced that these plans were scrapped, with WWE opting to instead hold ].<ref name="2023NoC-announced">{{cite news |last1=Lambert |first1=Jeremy |title=WWE Changes 'WWE King & Queen Of The Ring' PLE To 'WWE Night Of Champions' |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-changes-wwe-king-queen-ring-ple-wwe-night-champions |access-date=April 13, 2023 |work=Fightful |date=April 13, 2023}}</ref> According to Mike Johnson of '']'', the decision to change the event to Night of Champions was a creative choice to revive and bring that event to an international market.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/170143/wwe-ppv-name-change.html?p=1|title=WWE PPV NAME CHANGE|date=April 13, 2023|last=Johnson|first=Mike|work=]|access-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415233004/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/170143/wwe-ppv-name-change.html?p=1|archive-date=April 15, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Fightful'' later reported that WWE did not have plans to reschedule King and Queen of the Ring for later that year, but the event could possibly be used for a future ].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bodyslam.net/2023/06/10/wwe-keeping-king-and-queen-of-the-ring-for-a-future-saudi-arabia-show/|title=WWE Keeping King And Queen Of The Ring For A Future Saudi Arabia Show|date=June 10, 2023|last=Brennan|first=Corey|work=BodySlam.net|access-date=June 10, 2023}}</ref> In April 2024, WWE announced that they would hold the ] event in Saudi Arabia in May 2024, with the Queen's Crown renamed as Queen of the Ring. Tournament matches began on the May 6 episode of ''Raw'', and were held across episodes of ''Raw'', ''SmackDown'', and at ] events.<ref name="K&Q2024announced">{{cite web|last=Tessier|first=Colin|title=WWE To Hold 5/24 SmackDown And WWE King And Queen Of The Ring PLE In Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-hold-524-smackdown-and-wwe-king-and-queen-ring-ple-saudi-arabia|work=Fightful|date=April 7, 2024|access-date=April 7, 2024}}</ref> On May 23, WWE Chief Content Officer ] announced that the winner of the 2024 King of the Ring tournament would receive a ] match of their respective brand at ], marking only the second time that the King of the Ring winner would receive an award other than the title of "King of the Ring".<ref>{{cite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|title=Winners Of WWE King And Queen Of The Ring Tournaments Will Get World Title Bouts At WWE SummerSlam|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/winners-wwe-king-and-queen-ring-tournaments-will-get-world-title-bouts-wwe-summerslam|date=May 23, 2024|work=Fightful|access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref> The 2024 tournament was won by Raw's ], who defeated SmackDown's ] with Gunther receiving a match for the ].<ref name="KAQOTR">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/25/wwe-king-and-queen-of-the-ring-results-powells-live-review-of-cody-rhodes-vs-logan-paul-for-the-wwe-title-gunther-vs-randy-orton-in-the-kotr-finals-nia-jax-vs-lyra-valkyria-in-the-qotr-finals/|title=WWE King and Queen of the Ring results: Powell’s live review of Cody Rhodes vs. Logan Paul for the WWE Title, Gunther vs. Randy Orton in the KOTR finals, Nia Jax vs. Lyra Valkyria in the QOTR finals|date=May 25, 2024|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=May 25, 2024}}</ref>
In 1986, the second King of the Ring winner, ], parlayed his victory into an arrogant King of Wrestling ], featuring a regal cape and crown. This gimmick led to several notable feuds for Race with ], ], ], and others, even after new winners had been crowned in the annual tournament. In 1988, Race suffered an abdominal injury and during his absence his manager ] awarded the crown to ] in July, rechristening him King Haku, even though ] had won the tournament by that point and ] would also win the tournament during this storyline. Race eventually returned from his injury and briefly feuded with King Haku, but was unable to regain the crown at the ]. King Haku then lost the crown to "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in May 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/hacksaw.html|title=Accelerator profile|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|accessdate=August 30, 2017}}</ref> "King Hacksaw" then lost it on August 30, 1989 to "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who rebranded himself "Macho King".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/89.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1989|work=Angelfire|accessdate=May 3, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304205649/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/89.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=March 4, 2008}}</ref> Savage abandoned the "Macho King" gimmick upon his loss of a "Career ending match" to ] at ] in 1991, following which only wrestlers who had won the most recent tournament, as well ] (who had used a King Of Wrestling image regionally in the Memphis area since the early 1970s) would use the gimmick.


== King gimmicks ==
Randy Savage ("Macho King"), ] ("King of Harts"),<ref>{{cite book|last=Conner|first=Floyd|title=Wrestling's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Pro Wrestling's Outrageous Performers, Punishing Piledrivers, and Other Oddities|publisher=Brassey's|year=2001|pages=175|isbn= 1-57488-308-9}}</ref> ] ("King Mabel" ),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/irresistibleforce/irresistibleforce3|quote=Viscera used to be known as Mabel. He started as a friendly rapping giant Then Mabel shocks everyone by winning King of the Ring, loses the rapping and becomes KING Mabel.|accessdate=2007-07-03|publisher=WWE.|title=The Irresistible Force|last=Schrader |first=Bob}}</ref> ] ("King Kurt") ] ("King Edge the Awesome"), ] ("King Booker"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/bookert.html|title=Booker T's bio|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|author=John M. Milner, Andy McNamara and Greg Oliver|accessdate=April 18, 2008|date=June 2, 2005}}</ref> ] ("King Sheamus")<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/29/16367731.html|title=Raw: King of the Ring crowned|date=29 November 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|accessdate=30 November 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=WWE TLC PPV Results 12/19: In-person "virtual-time" coverage of TLC PPV – off-air PPV notes, Miz vs. Orton, Cena vs. Barrett|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_46178.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=25 March 2011|date=19 December 2011}}</ref> and ] ("King Barrett") are all wrestlers that also took on "King" nicknames after winning King of the Ring tournaments, with varying amounts of indulgence in the regal gimmick. ] won the tournament while serving as General Manager of ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14209447.html|title=IGN: William Regal|accessdate=19 May 2008|publisher=IGN|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025204548/http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14209447.html|archivedate=25 October 2008|df=}}</ref> and began displaying ] signs of tyranny and delusion. ] alluded to his King of the Ring victory as part of his integrated gimmick starting 2006 as the "King of Kings".<ref>{{cite video|date=2008|title=Triple H: The King of Kings|medium=DVD|publisher=WWE Home Video}}</ref> In addition to the King's crown, various female wrestlers were portrayed as Queen while they were aligned with Kings, including "Queen of the Ring" ] (aligned with King Harley Race at ]), ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2005/01/04/sports/doc41db726977cba832153482.txt|title=Women's wrestlers today are tougher, better|author=Spears, Jim|publisher=The Times and Democrat|accessdate=2009-05-23|date=January 4, 2005}}</ref> (manager of "Macho King" Randy Savage), and ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/10/16/4580811.html|title=Booker and Sharmell released by WWE|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=October 16, 2007}}</ref> (manager of King Booker). ], Mabel's tag team partner in ], was "knighted" as Sir Mo by his partner after the latter's 1995 victory.
], the second King of the Ring winner, was the first to incorporate the victory into his ]]]
In 1986, the second King of the Ring winner, Harley Race, parlayed his victory into an arrogant King of Wrestling ], featuring a regal cape and crown. This gimmick led to several notable feuds for Race with ], Hulk Hogan, ], and others, even after new winners had been crowned in the annual tournament. In 1988, Race suffered an abdominal injury and during his absence, his manager ] awarded the crown to ] in July, rechristening him King Haku, even though ] had won the tournament by that point and ] would also win the tournament during this storyline. Race eventually returned from his injury and briefly feuded with King Haku, but was unable to regain the crown at the ]. King Haku then lost the crown to "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in May 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/hacksaw.html|title=Accelerator profile|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> "King Hacksaw" then lost it on August 30, 1989, to "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who rebranded himself "Macho King".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/89.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1989|work=Angelfire|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304205649/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/89.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=March 4, 2008}}</ref> Savage abandoned the "Macho King" gimmick upon his loss in a "Career ending match" to ] at ] in 1991, declaring afterwards that "the Kingdom of the Madness has been cracked in half". Following this, only wrestlers who had won the most recent tournament, as well as ] (who had used a King of Wrestling image regionally in the Memphis area since the early 1970s), would use the gimmick.


] ("King of Harts"),<ref>{{cite book|last=Conner|first=Floyd|title=Wrestling's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Pro Wrestling's Outrageous Performers, Punishing Piledrivers, and Other Oddities|publisher=Brassey's|year=2001|pages=175|isbn= 1-57488-308-9}}</ref> ] ("King Mabel"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/irresistibleforce/irresistibleforce3|quote=Viscera used to be known as Mabel. He started as a friendly rapping giant Then Mabel shocks everyone by winning King of the Ring, loses the rapping and becomes KING Mabel.|access-date=2007-07-03|publisher=WWE.|title=The Irresistible Force|last=Schrader |first=Bob}}</ref> ] ("King Kurt"), ] ("King Edge the Awesome"), Booker T ("King Booker"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/bookert.html|title=Booker T's bio|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|author=John M. Milner, Andy McNamara and Greg Oliver|access-date=April 18, 2008|date=June 2, 2005|archive-date=July 18, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718104327/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/bookert.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Sheamus ("King Sheamus"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/29/16367731.html|title=Raw: King of the Ring crowned|date=November 29, 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=30 November 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]|archive-date=30 June 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630092759/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/29/16367731.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=WWE TLC PPV Results 12/19: In-person "virtual-time" coverage of TLC PPV – off-air PPV notes, Miz vs. Orton, Cena vs. Barrett|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_46178.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=25 March 2011|date=19 December 2011}}</ref> Bad News Barrett ("King Barrett"), Baron Corbin ("King Corbin"), and Xavier Woods ("King Woods") are all wrestlers that also took on "King" nicknames after winning King of the Ring tournaments, with varying amounts of indulgence in their respective gimmick. William Regal won the tournament while serving as General Manager of Raw<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14209447.html|title=IGN: William Regal|access-date=19 May 2008|publisher=IGN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025204548/http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14209447.html|archive-date=25 October 2008}}</ref> and began displaying ] signs of tyranny and delusion. ] alluded to his King of the Ring victory as part of his integrated gimmick starting in 2006 as the "King of Kings".<ref>{{cite video|date=2008|title=Triple H: The King of Kings|medium=DVD|publisher=WWE Home Video}}</ref>
== List of King of the Ring winners ==

{| class="wikitable"
In addition to the King's crown, various female wrestlers were portrayed as Queen while they were aligned with Kings, including "Queen of the Ring" ] (aligned with King Harley Race at ]), ] (manager of "Macho King" Randy Savage),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2005/01/04/sports/doc41db726977cba832153482.txt|title=Women's wrestlers today are tougher, better|author=Spears, Jim|publisher=The Times and Democrat|access-date=May 23, 2009|date=January 4, 2005}}</ref> and ] (manager of King Booker).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/10/16/4580811.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101024717/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/10/16/4580811.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 1, 2013|title=Booker and Sharmell released by WWE|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=April 17, 2008|date=October 16, 2007}}</ref> ], Mabel's tag team partner in ], was "knighted" as Sir Mo by his partner after the latter's 1995 victory. ] and Regal were "knighted" as Sir Finlay and Sir Regal when they were part of ]. In December 2020, King Corbin started a faction with Steve Cutler and ], knighting them as the "Knights of the Lone Wolf" (with lone wolf a reference to his previous nickname), although this would be short-lived as Cutler was released by WWE in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |author1=HBN Staff |title=WWE Announces Release Of Steve Cutler |url=https://heelbynature.com/wrestling-news/wwe-news/steve-cutler-released-by-wwe/ |website=Heel By Nature |access-date=April 9, 2021 |date=February 4, 2021}}</ref> Corbin's king gimmick ended in June 2021 after he lost his King of the Ring crown in a match to ], who then took on a king persona, being called King Nakamura.<ref name="SmackDown06182021">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=6/18 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. Rey Mysterio in a Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Universal Championship, Big E and Kevin Owens vs. Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. King Corbin in a battle for the crown, Angelo Dawkins vs. Otis|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/06/18/6-18-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-rey-mysterio-in-a-hell-in-a-cell-match-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-big-e-and-kevin-owens-vs-apollo-crews-and-comm/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=June 18, 2021|access-date=June 19, 2021}}</ref> On October 8, 2021, just prior to the start of the 2021 tournament that night, Nakamura respectfully relinquished the crown.<ref name="SmackDown10082021">{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jason |title=10/08 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Rey Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn in a King of the Ring tournament match, Liv Morgan vs. Carmella in a Queens Crown tournament match, contract signing for Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks at WWE Crown Jewel |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/08/10-08-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-rey-mysterio-vs-sami-zayn-in-a-king-of-the-ring-tournament-match-liv-morgan-vs-carmella-in-a-queens-crown-tournament-match-contract-si/ |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |access-date=October 9, 2021 |date=October 8, 2021}}</ref> After Xavier Woods won the 2021 tournament and became King Woods, he knighted his ] tag team partner ] as "Sir Kofi Kingston", and appointed him the Hand of the King. After Woods took time off due to injury, his king gimmick was dropped upon his return.<ref name="SmackDown10292021">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/29/10-29-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-shinsuke-nakamura-and-rick-boogs-vs-happy-corbin-and-madcap-moss-in-a-trick-or-street-fight-and-more/|title=10/29 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs vs. Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss in a Trick or Street Fight, and more|date=October 29, 2021|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=5%|Year

!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Winner
== List of winners ==
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=10%|Times won
{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 auto"
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=15%|Finals date
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Runner-up |style="background:#BBF; width:2em" align=center|{{doubledagger}}
|]-branded tournament
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=30%|Finals Location
|}
{|class="sortable wikitable succession-box" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center;" width="100%"
|-
!
! Year
! Winner
! Runner-up
! Finals date
! Finals location
|- |-
|<small>1</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|1
|{{dts|1985|7|8}}
|] |]
|<small>{{dts|1985|7|8}}</small>
|rowspan="2"|] |rowspan="2"|]
|- |-
|<small>2</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|1
|{{dts|1986|7|14}}
|] |]
|<small>{{dts|1986|7|14}}</small>
|- |-
|<small>3</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|1
|{{dts|1987|9|4}}
|] |]
|<small>{{dts|1987|9|4}}</small>
|rowspan="4"|] |rowspan="4"|]
|- |-
|<small>4</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1988|10|16}} |<small>{{dts|1988|10|16}}</small>
|]
|- |-
|<small>5</small>
|] |]
|] |]
| ]
|1
|{{dts|1989|10|14}} |<small>{{dts|1989|10|14}}</small>
|]
|- |-
|<small>6</small>
|] |]
|rowspan="2"|] | rowspan="2" | ]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1991|9|7}} |<small>{{dts|1991|9|7}}</small>
|]
|- |-
|<small>7</small>
|] |]
|]
|2
|{{dts|1993|6|13}} |<small>{{dts|1993|6|13}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>8</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1994|6|19}} |<small>{{dts|1994|6|19}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>9</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1995|6|25}} |<small>{{dts|1995|6|25}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>10</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1996|6|23}} |<small>{{dts|1996|6|23}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>11</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1997|6|8}} |<small>{{dts|1997|6|8}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>12</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1998|6|28}} |<small>{{dts|1998|6|28}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>13</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|1999|6|27}} |<small>{{dts|1999|6|27}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>14</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|2000|6|25}} |<small>{{dts|2000|6|25}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>15</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|2001|6|24}} |<small>{{dts|2001|6|24}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>16</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|2002|6|23}} |<small>{{dts|2002|6|23}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- style="background: #BBF
|-
|<small>17{{doubledagger}}</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|2006|5|21}} |<small>{{dts|2006|5|21}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>18</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|2008|4|21}} |<small>{{dts|2008|4|21}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>19</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|1
|{{dts|2010|11|29}} |<small>{{dts|2010|11|29}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>20</small>
|] |]
|] |]
| ]
|1
|{{dts|2015|04|28}} |<small>{{dts|2015|04|28}}</small>
|]
|] |]
|- |-
|<small>21</small>
|] |]
|] |]
|]
|
|{{dts|2019|09|15}} |<small>{{dts|2019|9|16}}</small>
|]
|TBD
|]
|- |-
|<small>22</small>
|]
|]
|]
|<small>{{dts|2021|10|21}}</small>
|], ]
|-
|<small>23</small>
|]
|]
|]
|<small>{{dts|2024|5|25}}</small>
|], ]
|} |}


== References ==
== Pre-pay-per-view event results ==
{{Reflist}}

=== 1985 ===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = King of the Ring (1985)
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|promotion = ]
|date = July 8, 1985
|venue = ]
|city = ]
|attendance = 23,000<ref name=kotr1985></ref>
|event = King of the Ring tournament
|nextevent2 = ]
|lastevent2 = ''First''
}}
'''King of the Ring (1985)''' was the inaugural King of the Ring ] tournament produced by the ] (WWF). The tournament was held on July 8, 1985 at the ] in ].

In addition to the tournament, there was only one other match during the night. In this match ] ] ] to retain the ].

;Results

{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=kotr1985 />
|times =
|match1 =] beat ]
|stip1 = King of the Ring first round match
|time1 =9:19
|match2 = ] beat ]
|stip2 = King of the Ring first round match
|time2 = 4:33
|match3 = ] and ] wrestled to a double disqualification
|stip3 = King of the Ring first round match
|time3 = 11:54
|match4 = ] beat ]
|stip4 = King of the Ring first round match
|time4 = 1:06
|match5 = ] beat ] by disqualification
|stip5 = King of the Ring first round match
|time5 = 12:58
|match6 = ] beat ]
|stip6 = King of the Ring first round match
|time6 = 10:22
|match7 = ] beat ]
|stip7 = King of the Ring first round match
|time7 = 19:59
|match8 = ] beat ]
|stip8 = King of the Ring first round match
|time8 = 8:18
|match9 = ] beat Les Thornton
|stip9 = King of the Ring quarterfinals match
|time9 = 5:02
|match10 = ] beat ] via a time limit draw coin toss
|stip10 = King of the Ring quarterfinals match
|time10 =20:00
|match11 = ] beat Ricky Steamboat
|stip11 = King of the Ring quarterfinals match
|time11 = 10:25
|match12 = ] beat Pedro Morales
|stip12 = King of the Ring semifinals match
|time12 = 14:55
|match13 = ] beat Jim Brunzell
|stip13 = King of the Ring semifinals match
|time13 = 7:30
|match14 = ] beat Iron Sheik
|stip14 = King of the Ring final match
|time14 = 10:28
|match15 = ] (c) beat ]
|stip15 = ] match
|time15 = 12:13
}}

;Tournament bracket
{{16TeamBracket | RD1=First Round
|RD2=Quarterfinals
|RD3=Semifinals
|RD4=Final
|group1=
|group2=
|RD1-seed01=
|RD1-team01=''']'''
|RD1-score01=PIN
|RD1-seed02=
|RD1-team02=]
|RD1-score02=10:22
|RD1-seed03=
|RD1-team03=''']'''
|RD1-score03=pin
|RD1-seed04=
|RD1-team04=]
|RD1-score04=4:33
|RD1-seed05=
|RD1-team05=]
|RD1-score05=DDQ
|RD1-seed06=
|RD1-team06=]
|RD1-score06=11:54
|RD1-seed07=
|RD1-team07=''']'''
|RD1-score07=PIN
|RD1-seed08=
|RD1-team08=]
|RD1-score08=1:06
|RD1-seed09=
|RD1-team09=''']'''
|RD1-score09=DQ
|RD1-seed10=
|RD1-team10=]
|RD1-score10=12:58
|RD1-seed11=
|RD1-team11=''']'''
|RD1-score11=PIN
|RD1-seed12=
|RD1-team12=]
|RD1-score12=9:19
|RD1-seed13=
|RD1-team13=''']'''
|RD1-score13=PIN
|RD1-seed14=
|RD1-team14=]
|RD1-score14=19:59
|RD1-seed15=
|RD1-team15=''']'''
|RD1-score15=PIN
|RD1-seed16=
|RD1-team16=]
|RD1-score16=8:18
|RD2-seed01=
|RD2-team01='''] '''
|RD2-score01=PIN
|RD2-seed02=
|RD2-team02=Les Thornton
|RD2-score02=5:02
|RD2-seed03=
|RD2-team03=BYE
|RD2-score03=
|RD2-seed04=
|RD2-SEED04=
|RD2-team04=]
|RD2-score04=
|RD2-seed05=
|RD2-team05=]
|RD2-score05=Draw{{Ref|1|1}}
|RD2-seed06=
|RD2-team06='''Jim Brunzell'''
|RD2-score06=20:00
|RD2-seed07=
|RD2-team07=Ricky Steamboat
|RD2-score07=10:25
|RD2-seed08=
|RD2-team08=''']'''
|RD2-score08=PIN
|RD3-seed01=
|RD3-team01=''']'''
|RD3-score01=PIN
|RD3-seed02=
|RD3-team02=Pedro Morales
|RD3-score02=14:55
|RD3-seed03=
|RD3-team03=Jim Brunzell
|RD3-score03=7:30
|RD3-seed04=
|RD3-team04='''Iron Sheik'''
|RD3-score04=PIN
|RD4-seed01=
|RD4-team01=''']'''
|RD4-score01=PIN
|RD4-seed02=
|RD4-team02=Iron Sheik
|RD4-score02=10:28
}}
* ] pinned ] to retain the ] in a non tournament match.
1. {{note|1}} ] fought ] to a twenty minute time limit draw; Brunzell then won a coin toss to determine who would continue in the tournament.

=== 1986 ===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = King of the Ring (1986)
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|promotion = ]
|date = July 14, 1986
|venue = ]
|city = ]
|attendance = 12,000<ref name=kotr1996></ref>
|event = King of the Ring tournament
|nextevent2 = ]
|lastevent2 = ]
}}
'''King of the Ring (1986)''' was the second annual King of the Ring ] tournament produced by the ] (WWF). The tournament was held on July 14, 1986 at the ] in ].

In addition to the tournament, there were two other matches. Prior to the final match of the King of the Ring tournament, ] defeated ] (a substitute for Eddie Andelmann, a local TV/radio personality who refused to wrestle). Following the final match of the tournament, The ] (] and The ]) defeated ] (] and ]) (with ]) in a ] to retain the ]. Dynamite and Beefcake escaped from the cage first. Smith then escaped the cage to win the match after Valentine had accidentally knocked him out the door.

During the first round of the tournament, there was a total of six matches. ] pinned ] after a small package ] beat ] by disqualification after Steele rammed Race into one of the golf carts at ringside. ] and ] wrestled to a twenty minute time limit draw. ] pinned ]. ] beat ] by disqualification for attacking the referee. ] pinned ] who was substituting for ].

During the quarterfinal round of the tournament, there were three matches. Harley Race received a ] due to the Muraco and Piper match reaching the time limit in the first round. Billy Jack Haynes beat ] with a ]. Mr X was a substitute for ]. Nikolai Volkoff beat Junkyard Dog after Dog submitted to a ]. In the final quarterfinal match, Pedro Morales pinned ] after Rotunda performed a back ] From The Top Rope on Morales but Rotunda's shoulders were on the mat.

During the first match of the semifinals, Race beat Haynes, when Haynes was counted out while Haynes applied the ] on Race while on the outside of the ring on the apron. Pedro Morales beat Nikolai Volkoff after Morales broke free and reversed a bearhug into a small package for the pin.

In the final Race pinned Morales after he superplexed Morales back into the ring.

; Results

{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=kotr1996 />
|times =
|match1 = ] (with ]) and ] wrestled to a time limit draw
|stip1 = King of the Ring first round match
|time1 = 20:00
|match2 = ] beat ] by disqualification
|stip2 = King of the Ring first round match
|time2 = 7:41
|match3 = ] pinned ]
|stip3 = King of the Ring first round match
|time3 = 10:15
|match4 = ] beat ]
|stip4 = King of the Ring first round match
|time4 = 6:12
|match5 = ] beat ] by disqualification
|stip5 = King of the Ring first round match
|time5 = 13:14
|match6 = ] beat ]
|stip6 = King of the Ring first round match
|time6 = 3:02
|match7 = Billy Jack Haynes beat ]
|stip7 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time7 = 0:21
|match8 = ] beat Junkyard Dog
|stip8 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time8 = 10:46
|match9 = ] beat ]
|stip9 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time9 = 10:00
|match10 = ] beat Billy Jack Haynes by count-out
|stip10 = King of the Ring semi-final match
|time10 = 12:30
|match11 = ] beat Nikolai Volkoff
|stip11 = King of the Ring semi-final match
|time11 = 11:55
|match12 = ] beat ]
|stip12 = Singles match
|time12 =4:29
|match13 = ] beat Pedro Morales
|stip13 = King of the Ring final match
|time13 = 10:30
|match14 = The ] (] and The ]) (c) defeated ] (] and ]) (with ]) by escaping the cage
|stip14 = ] steel cage match
|time14 = 15:47
|match15 =
|stip15 =
|time15 =
}}

;Tournament bracket
{{4RoundBracket-Byes | RD1=First Round
|RD2=Quarterfinals
|RD3=Semifinals
|RD4=Final
|group1=
|group2=
|RD1-seed01=
|RD1-team01=
|RD1-score01=
|RD1-seed02=
|RD1-team02=
|RD1-score02=
|RD1-seed03=
|RD1-team03=]
|RD1-score03=pin
|RD1-seed04=
|RD1-team04=]
|RD1-score04=10:15
|RD1-seed05=
|RD1-team05=''']'''
|RD1-score05=DQ
|RD1-seed06=
|RD1-team06=]
|RD1-score06=7:41
|RD1-seed07=
|RD1-team07=]
|RD1-score07=draw
|RD1-seed08=
|RD1-team08=]
|RD1-score08=20:00
|RD1-seed09=
|RD1-team09=''']'''
|RD1-score09=pin
|RD1-seed10=
|RD1-team10=]
|RD1-score10=6:12
|RD1-seed11=
|RD1-team11=''']'''
|RD1-score11=DQ
|RD1-seed12=
|RD1-team12=]
|RD1-score12=13:14
|RD1-seed13=
|RD1-team13=''']'''
|RD1-score13=pin
|RD1-seed14=
|RD1-team14=]{{Ref|1|1}}
|RD1-score14=3:02
|RD1-seed15=
|RD1-team15=
|RD1-score15=
|RD1-seed16=
|RD1-team16=
|RD1-score16=
|RD2-seed01=
|RD2-team01=]{{Ref|2|2}}
|RD2-score01=0:21
|RD2-seed02=
|RD2-team02='''Billy Jack Haynes'''
|RD2-score02=Sub
|RD2-seed03=
|RD2-team03='''Harley Race'''
|RD2-score03=&nbsp;
|RD2-seed04=
|RD2-team04=BYE
|RD2-score04=&nbsp;
|RD2-seed05=
|RD2-team05='''Nikolai Volkoff'''
|RD2-score05=Sub
|RD2-seed06=
|RD2-team06=Junkyard Dog
|RD2-score06=10:46
|RD2-seed07=
|RD2-team07='''Pedro Morales'''
|RD2-score07=pin
|RD2-seed08=
|RD2-team08=]
|RD2-score08=10:00
|RD3-seed01=
|RD3-team01=Billy Jack Haynes
|RD3-score01=12:30
|RD3-seed02=
|RD3-team02=''']'''
|RD3-score02=CO
|RD3-seed03=
|RD3-team03=Nikolai Volkoff

|RD3-score03=11:55
|RD3-seed04=
|RD3-team04='''Pedro Morales'''
|RD3-score04=pin
|RD4-seed01=
|RD4-team01= ''']'''
|RD4-score01=PIN
|RD4-seed02=
|RD4-team02=Pedro Morales
|RD4-score02=10:30
}}

1. {{note|1}} Rudy Diamond was a substitute for ].<br />
2. {{note|2}} Mr. X was a substitute for ].
] beat ] in a non-tournament match
The ] (] and The ]) defeated ] (] and ]) (with ]) in a ] to retain the ]. Dynamite and Beefcake escaped from the cage first. Smith then escaped the cage to win the match after Valentine had accidentally knocked him out the door. in a non-tournament match

=== 1987 ===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = King of the Ring (1987)
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|promotion = ]
|date = September 4, 1987
|venue = ]
|city = ]
|attendance = 12,000<ref name=kotr1987></ref>
|event = King of the Ring tournament
|nextevent2 = ]
|lastevent2 = ]
}}
'''King of the Ring (1987)''' was the third annual King of the Ring ] tournament produced by the ] (WWF). The tournament was held on September 4, 1987 at the ] in ].

In addition to the tournament, there was only one other match during the night. In this match ] defeated the ] ] with ] via disqualification, after Hart accidentally hit Honky Tonk Man with the ]

;Results

{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=kotr1987 />
|times =
|match1 = ] beat ]
|stip1 = King of the Ring first round match
|time1 = PIN
|match2 = ] beat ]
|stip2 = King of the Ring first round match
|time2 = PIN
|match3 = ] beat ]
|stip3 = King of the Ring first round match
|time3 = CO
|match4 = ] beat ]
|stip4 = King of the Ring first round match
|time4 =PIN
|match5 = ] beat ]
|stip5 = King of the Ring first round match
|time5 = CO
|match6 = ] beat ]
|stip6 = King of the Ring first round match
|time6 = PIN
|match7 = ] beat ]
|stip7 = King of the Ring first round match
|time7 =PIN
|match8 = ] (with ]) beat ]
|stip8 = King of the Ring first round match
|time8 = PIN
|match9 = Haku and Rick Martel wrestled to a draw
|stip9 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time9 = 15:00
|match10 = King Kong Bundy beat Special Delivery Jones
|stip10 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time10 = PIN
|match11 = Danny Davis beat The Junkyard Dog
|stip11 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time11 = CO
|match12 = Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) beat Jim Brunzell
|stip12 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time12 = PIN
|match13 = Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) beat Danny Davis
|stip13 = King of the Ring semi-final match
|time13 = PIN
|match14 = ] beat ] (with ]) by disqualification
|stip14 = ]
|time14 =10:30
|match15 = ] (with Miss Elizabeth) beat King Kong Bundy
|stip15 = King of the Ring final match
|time15 =PIN
}}
;Tournament bracket
{{16TeamBracket | RD1=First Round
|RD2=Quarterfinals
|RD3=Semifinals
|RD4=Final
|group1=
|group2=
|RD1-seed01=
|RD1-team01=''']'''
|RD1-score01=pin
|RD1-seed02=
|RD1-team02=]
|RD1-score02=11:08
|RD1-seed03=
|RD1-team03=''']'''
|RD1-score03=pin
|RD1-seed04=
|RD1-team04=]
|RD1-score04=10:12
|RD1-seed05=
|RD1-team05=''']'''
|RD1-score05=CO
|RD1-seed06=
|RD1-team06=]
|RD1-score06=3:09
|RD1-seed07=
|RD1-team07=''']'''
|RD1-score07=pin
|RD1-seed08=
|RD1-team08=]
|RD1-score08=6:25
|RD1-seed09=
|RD1-team09=]
|RD1-score09=7:22
|RD1-seed10=
|RD1-team10=''']'''
|RD1-score10=CO
|RD1-seed11=
|RD1-team11=''']'''
|RD1-score11=pin
|RD1-seed12=
|RD1-team12=]
|RD1-score12=8:19
|RD1-seed13=
|RD1-team13=''']'''
|RD1-score13=pin
|RD1-seed14=
|RD1-team14=]
|RD1-score14=6:38
|RD1-seed15=
|RD1-team15=''']'''
|RD1-score15=PIN
|RD1-seed16=
|RD1-team16=]
|RD1-score16=7:03
|RD2-seed01=
|RD2-team01=Haku
|RD2-score01=15:00
|RD2-seed02=
|RD2-team02=Rick Martel
|RD2-score02=Draw
|RD2-seed03=
|RD2-team03='''King Kong Bundy'''
|RD2-score03=PIN
|RD2-seed04=
|RD2-team04=Special Delivery Jones
|RD2-score04=4:09
|RD2-seed05=
|RD2-team05='''Danny Davis'''
|RD2-score05=CO
|RD2-seed06=
|RD2-team06=The Junkyard Dog
|RD2-score06=8:02
|RD2-seed07=
|RD2-team07=Jim Brunzell
|RD2-score07=12:10
|RD2-seed08=
|RD2-team08='''Randy Savage'''
|RD2-score08=PIN
|RD3-seed01=
|RD3-team01=''']'''
|RD3-score01=
|RD3-seed02=
|RD3-team02=BYE
|RD3-score02=&nbsp;
|RD3-seed03=
|RD3-team03=Danny Davis
|RD3-score03=7:15
|RD3-seed04=
|RD3-team04='''Randy Savage'''
|RD3-score04=PIN
|RD4-seed01=
|RD4-team01=King Kong Bundy
|RD4-score01=13:04
|RD4-seed02=
|RD4-team02=''']'''
|RD4-score02=PIN
}}
*] defeated the ] ] with ] via disqualification, after Hart accidentally hit Honky Tonk Man with the ] in a non tournament match

=== 1988 ===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = King of the Ring (1988)
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|promotion = ]
|date = October 16, 1988
|venue = ]
|city = ]
|attendance = 6,700<ref name=kotr1988></ref>
|event = King of the Ring tournament
|nextevent2 = ]
|lastevent2 = ]
}}
'''King of the Ring (1988)''' was the fourth annual King of the Ring ] tournament produced by the ] (WWF). The tournament was held on October 16, 1988 at the ] in ].

In addition to the tournament, there was only one other match during the night. In this match ] defeated ] (with ]) in a ]. Duggan pinned Bravo when Martin accidentally hit Bravo with the flag.

;Results

{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=kotr1988 />
|times = <ref name=kotr1988 />
|match1 = ] beat ]
|stip1 = King of the Ring first round match
|time1 = 10:20
|match2 = ] beat ]
|stip2 = King of the Ring first round match
|time2 = 7:32
|match3 = ] beat ] by disqualification
|stip3 = King of the Ring first round match
|time3 = 7:02
|match4 = ] beat ]
|stip4 = King of the Ring first round match
|time4 = 3:37
|match5 = ] and ] wrestled until a double count-out
|stip5 = King of the Ring first round match
|time5 = 6:05
|match6 = ] (with ]) beat ]
|stip6 = King of the Ring first round match
|time6 = 5:43
|match7 = ] beat ]
|stip7 = King of the Ring first round match
|time7 = 11:00
|match8 = ] beat ]
|stip8 = King of the Ring first round match
|time8 = 6:27
|match9 = ] beat ] (with ])
|stip9 = ]
|time9 = 8:43
|match10 = Ted DiBiase beat Ken Patera
|stip10 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time10 = 5:42
|match11 = Ron Bass beat Shawn Michaels
|stip11 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time11 = 7:39
|match12 = The Red Rooster beat Mike Sharpe
|stip12 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time12 = 3:27
|match13 = Randy Savage (with ]) beat The Red Rooster
|stip13 = King of the Ring semi-final match
|time13 = 7:21
|match14 = ] beat Randy Savage (with ]) by count-out
|stip14 = King of the Ring final match
|time14 = 6:11
|match15 =
|stip15 =
|time15 =
}}

;Tournament bracket

{{16TeamBracket | RD1=First Round
| RD2=Quarterfinals
| RD3=Semifinals
| RD4=Final
| group1=
| group2=
| RD1-seed01=
| RD1-team01=''']'''
| RD1-score01=Pin
| RD1-seed02=
| RD1-team02=]
| RD1-score02=10:20
| RD1-seed03=
| RD1-team03=]
| RD1-score03=Pin
| RD1-seed04=
| RD1-team04=''']'''
| RD1-score04=7:32
| RD1-seed05=
| RD1-team05=]
| RD1-score05=DQ
| RD1-seed06=
| RD1-team06=''']'''
| RD1-score06=7:02
| RD1-seed07=
| RD1-team07=]
| RD1-score07=Pin
| RD1-seed08=
| RD1-team08=''']'''
| RD1-score08=3:37
| RD1-seed09=
| RD1-team09=]
| RD1-score09=DCO
| RD1-seed10=
| RD1-team10=]
| RD1-score10=6:05
| RD1-seed11=
| RD1-team11=''']'''
| RD1-score11=Pin
| RD1-seed12=
| RD1-team12=]
| RD1-score12=5:43
| RD1-seed13=
| RD1-team13=]
| RD1-score13=Pin
| RD1-seed14=
| RD1-team14=''']'''
| RD1-score14=11:00
| RD1-seed15=
| RD1-team15=''']'''{{Ref|1|1}}
| RD1-score15=Pin
| RD1-seed16=
| RD1-team16=]
| RD1-score16=6:27
| RD2-seed01=
| RD2-team01=Ken Patera
| RD2-score01=Pin
| RD2-seed02=
| RD2-team02='''Ted DiBiase'''
| RD2-score02=5:42
| RD2-seed03=
| RD2-team03='''Ron Bass'''
| RD2-score03=Pin
| RD2-seed04=
| RD2-team04=Shawn Michaels
| RD2-score04=7:39
| RD2-seed05=
| RD2-team05=BYE
| RD2-score05=&nbsp;
| RD2-seed06=
| RD2-team06='''Randy Savage'''
| RD2-score06=&nbsp;
| RD2-seed07=
| RD2-team07='''The Red Rooster'''
| RD2-score07=Sub
| RD2-seed08=
| RD2-team08=Iron Mike Sharpe
| RD2-score08=3:27
| RD3-seed01=
| RD3-team01='''Ted DiBiase'''
| RD3-score01=Forfeit
| RD3-seed02=
| RD3-team02=Ron Bass
| RD3-score02={{Ref|2|2}}
| RD3-seed03=
| RD3-team03='''Randy Savage'''
| RD3-score03=Pin
| RD3-seed04=
| RD3-team04=The Red Rooster
| RD3-score04=7:21
| RD4-seed01=
| RD4-team01=''']'''
| RD4-score01=CO
| RD4-seed02=
| RD4-team02=Randy Savage
| RD4-score02=6:11
}}
1. {{note|1}} Mike Sharpe substituted for ].<br />
2. {{note|2}} DiBiase paid Bass off to fake an injury.<ref>''Ted DiBiase: The Million Dollar Man'', p.162, Ted DiBiase with Tom Caiazzo, Pocket Books, New York, 2008, {{ISBN|978-1-4165-5890-3}}</ref>

* ] was counted out when he became ] by Virgil on the outside of the ring.
* ] pinned ] (with ]) in a ] when Martin accidentally hit Bravo with the flag.

=== 1989 ===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = King of the Ring (1989)
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|promotion = ]
|date = October 14, 1989
|venue = ]
|city = ]
|attendance = 4,500<ref name=kotr1989></ref>
|event = King of the Ring tournament
|nextevent2 = ]
|lastevent2 = ]
}}
'''King of the Ring (1989)''' was the fifth annual King of the Ring ] tournament produced by the ] (WWF). The tournament was held on October 14, 1989 at the ] in ].
<!--
;Results

{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=kotr1989 />
|times =
|match1 =
|stip1 =
|time1 =
|match2 =
|stip2 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time2 =
|match3 =
|stip3 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time3 =
|match4 =
|stip4 =
|time4 =
|match5 =
|stip5 =
|time5 =
|match6 =
|stip6 =
|time6 =
|match7 =
|stip7 =
|time7 =
|match8 =
|stip8 =
|time8 =
|match9 =
|stip9 =
|time9 =
|match10 =
|stip10 =
|time10 =
|match11 =
|stip11 =
|time11 =
|match12 =
|stip12 =
|time12 =
|match13 =
|stip13 =
|time13 =
|match10 =
|stip10 =
|time10 =
|match14 =
|stip14 =
|time14 =
|match15 =
|stip15 =
|time15 =
}} -->

;Tournament bracket
{{16TeamBracket | RD1=First Round
|RD2=Quarterfinals
|RD3=Semifinals
|RD4=Final
|group1=
| group2=
| RD1-seed01=
| RD1-team01=]
| RD1-score01=10:22
| RD1-seed02=
| RD1-team02=''']'''
| RD1-score02=pin
| RD1-seed03=
| RD1-team03=]
| RD1-score03=DDQ
| RD1-seed04=
| RD1-team04=]
| RD1-score04=6:33
| RD1-seed05=
| RD1-team05=]
| RD1-score05=3:14
| RD1-seed06=
| RD1-team06=''']'''
| RD1-score06=pin
| RD1-seed07=
| RD1-team07=''']'''
| RD1-score07=pin
| RD1-seed08=
| RD1-team08=]
| RD1-score08=7:01
| RD1-seed09=
| RD1-team09=''']'''
| RD1-score09=sub
| RD1-seed10=
| RD1-team10=Bill Wood{{Ref|3|1}}
| RD1-score10=0:44
| RD1-seed11=
| RD1-team11=''']'''
| RD1-score11=pin
| RD1-seed12=
| RD1-team12=]
| RD1-score12=4:18
| RD1-seed13=
| RD1-team13=''']'''
| RD1-score13=DQ
| RD1-seed14=
| RD1-team14=]
| RD1-score14=8:13
| RD1-seed15=
| RD1-team15=''']'''
| RD1-score15=pin
| RD1-seed16=
| RD1-team16=]
| RD1-score16=5:12
| RD2-seed01=
| RD2-team01=''']'''
| RD2-score01=&nbsp;
| RD2-seed02=
| RD2-team02=BYE
| RD2-score02=&nbsp;
| RD2-seed03=
| RD2-team03=The Warlord
| RD2-score03=6:22
| RD2-seed04=
| RD2-team04='''Tito Santana'''
| RD2-score04=pin
| RD2-seed05=
| RD2-team05='''Rick Martel'''
| RD2-score05=sub
| RD2-seed06=
| RD2-team06=Bushwhacker Luke
| RD2-score06=4:06
| RD2-seed07=
| RD2-team07='''Jimmy Snuka'''
| RD2-score07=pin
| RD2-seed08=
| RD2-team08=Haku
| RD2-score08=7:20
| RD3-seed01=
| RD3-team01=Akeem
| RD3-score01=10:15
| RD3-seed02=
| RD3-team02='''Tito Santana'''
| RD3-score02=pin
| RD3-seed03=
| RD3-team03='''Rick Martel'''
| RD3-score03=pin
| RD3-seed04=
| RD3-team04=Jimmy Snuka
| RD3-score04=8:34
| RD4-seed01=
| RD4-team01=Rick Martel
| RD4-score01=12:48
| RD4-seed02=
| RD4-team02='''Tito Santana'''
| RD4-score02=PIN
}}
1. {{note|3}} Bill Wood substituted for ].

* ] defeated The ], with ] at 10:04 in a non tournament match.

=== 1991 ===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = King of the Ring (1991)
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|promotion = ]
|date = September 7, 1991
|venue = ]
|city = ]
|attendance = 2,400<ref name=kotr1991></ref>
|event = King of the Ring tournament
|nextevent2 = ]
|lastevent2 = ]
}}
'''King of the Ring (1991)''' was the sixth King of the Ring ] tournament produced by the ] (WWF). The tournament was held on September 7, 1991 at the ] in ].

In addition to the tournament, there was only one other match during the night. In this match ] defeated ], in a tag team match.

;Results

{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=kotr1991 />
|times = <ref name=kotr1991 />
|match1 = ] (with ]) beat ] by disqualification
|stip1 = King of the Ring first round match
|time1 = 3:02
|match2 = ] and ] wrestled to a time limit draw
|stip2 = King of the Ring first round match
|time2 = 15:00
|match3 = ] beat ] (with ])
|stip3 = King of the Ring first round match
|time3 = 5:04
|match4 = ] beat ] by count-out
|stip4 = King of the Ring first round match
|time4 = 2:51
|match5 = ] beat ] by submission
|stip5 = King of the Ring first round match
|time5 = 0:33
|match6 = ] beat ]
|stip6 = King of the Ring first round match
|time6 = 5:02
|match7 = ] beat ]
|stip7 = King of the Ring first round match
|time7 = 3:23
|match8 = ] (with ]) beat ]
|stip8 = King of the Ring first round match
|time8 = 3:40
|match9 = ] (] and ]) beat ] (] and ])
|stip9 = Tag team match
|time9 = 7:23
|match10 = Irwin R. Schyster beat Jim Duggan
|stip10 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time10 = 3:16
|match11 = Bret Hart beat Skinner
|stip11 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time11 = 4:47
|match12 = The Undertaker and Sid Justice ended in a double disqualification
|stip12 = King of the Ring quarter-final match
|time12 = 4:08
|match13 = Irwin R. Schyster beat Jerry Sags
|stip13 = King of the Ring semi-final match
|time13 = 1:22
|match14 = Bret Hart beat Irwin R. Schyster
|stip14 = King of the Ring final match
|time14 = 10:00
|match15 =
|stip15 =
|time15 =
}}

;Tournament bracket
{{16TeamBracket | RD1=First Round
| RD2=Quarterfinals
| RD3=Semifinals
| RD4=Final
| group1=
| group2=
| RD1-seed01=
| RD1-team01=]
| RD1-score01=DQ
| RD1-seed02=
| RD1-team02=''']'''
| RD1-score02=3:02
| RD1-seed03=
| RD1-team03=]
| RD1-score03=Draw
| RD1-seed04=
| RD1-team04=]
| RD1-score04=15:00
| RD1-seed05=
| RD1-team05=''']'''
| RD1-score05=Pin
| RD1-seed06=
| RD1-team06=]
| RD1-score06=5:04
| RD1-seed07=
| RD1-team07=]
| RD1-score07=CO
| RD1-seed08=
| RD1-team08=''']'''
| RD1-score08=2:51
| RD1-seed09=
| RD1-team09=] {{Ref|4|1}}
| RD1-score09=Sub
| RD1-seed10=
| RD1-team10=''']'''
| RD1-score10=0:33
| RD1-seed11=
| RD1-team11=''']'''
| RD1-score11=Pin
| RD1-seed12=
| RD1-team12=]
| RD1-score12=5:02
| RD1-seed13=
| RD1-team13=''']'''
| RD1-score13=Pin
| RD1-seed14=
| RD1-team14=]
| RD1-score14=3:23
| RD1-seed15=
| RD1-team15=]
| RD1-score15=Pin
| RD1-seed16=
| RD1-team16=''']'''
| RD1-score16=3:40
| RD2-seed01=
| RD2-team01='''Jerry Sags'''
| RD2-score01=&nbsp;
| RD2-seed02=
| RD2-team02=BYE
| RD2-score02=&nbsp;
| RD2-seed03=
| RD2-team03=Jim Duggan
| RD2-score03=Pin
| RD2-seed04=
| RD2-team04='''Irwin R. Schyster'''
| RD2-score04=3:16
| RD2-seed05=
| RD2-team05='''Bret Hart
| RD2-score05=Sub
| RD2-seed06=
| RD2-team06=Skinner
| RD2-score06=4:47
| RD2-seed07=
| RD2-team07=The Undertaker
| RD2-score07=DDQ
| RD2-seed08=
| RD2-team08=Sid Justice
| RD2-score08=4:08
| RD3-seed01=
| RD3-team01=Jerry Sags
| RD3-score01=Pin
| RD3-seed02=
| RD3-team02='''Irwin R. Schyster'''
| RD3-score02=1:22
| RD3-seed03=
| RD3-team03='''Bret Hart
| RD3-score03=&nbsp;
| RD3-seed04=
| RD3-team04=BYE
| RD3-score04=&nbsp;
| RD4-seed01=
| RD4-team01=Irwin R. Schyster
| RD4-score01=Pin
| RD4-seed02=
| RD4-team02='''Bret Hart
| RD4-score02=10:00
}}
1. {{note|4}} ] substituted for ].
* ] and ] were ] for attacking the ]. After the bout, ] helped ] put Sid into the ].
* ] pinned ] with a roll up.
* ] beat ] in a tag team match at 7:23.

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{WWE}} {{WWE}}
Line 1,232: Line 212:
{{King of the Ring winners}} {{King of the Ring winners}}


] ]

Latest revision as of 04:12, 4 January 2025

Recurring professional wrestling tournament by WWE This article is about the tournament. For the event series, see King of the Ring.
Stone Cold Steve Austin won the 1996 King of the Ring tournament.

The King of the Ring tournament is a men's professional wrestling single-elimination tournament held periodically by WWE, a Connecticut-based professional wrestling promotion. Established in 1985, the winner of the inaugural tournament was Don Muraco. The prize for winning the tournament is being crowned the "King of the Ring"; some wrestlers have incorporated this into their character, such as adorning king's attire and acting and speaking with a regal attitude. On two occasions, the tournament has awarded an additional reward, that being for a world championship match (first in 2002 and then in 2024). The tournament is also notable for beginning "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's rise to stardom after he won the 1996 tournament. The most recent 2024 tournament was won by Gunther.

The tournament was established when the promotion was still called the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, renamed to WWE in 2002). It was held annually from 1985 to 2002, with the exception of 1990 and 1992. The tournaments from 1985 to 1989 and in 1991 were held as special non-televised house shows. A pay-per-view (PPV) event titled King of the Ring then began airing as the annual June PPV from 1993 until the final PPV in 2002; these titular PPVs featured the final few matches of that year's tournament as well as other matches not part of the tournament. After a four-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2006 and has since been held periodically with the most recent occurring in 2021. These tournaments' matches aired across episodes of Raw and SmackDown with the finals occurring at a different PPV, such as Judgment Day for 2006, or on an episode of Raw. The semifinals and final of the 2015 tournament aired exclusively as a WWE Network event. The PPV event will return in 2024, rebranded as King and Queen of the Ring, incorporating the Queen of the Ring tournament, a women's version that was established in 2021 and originally called Queen's Crown.

WWE introduced the brand extension in early 2002 and the tournament that year was held for wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brands. When the tournament returned in 2006, it was held exclusively for wrestlers from SmackDown. The tournaments in 2008 and 2010 were held as interbrand tournaments, with the one in 2008 also featuring wrestlers from Raw and ECW, while the one in 2010 just featured those from Raw and SmackDown after ECW was disbanded earlier that same year. The 2015 tournament occurred when the brand split was not in effect. The brand split was reinstated in 2016, and tournaments held since have featured two brackets, one each for Raw and SmackDown, with the bracket winners then facing each other in the tournament final.

History

Early tournaments

The first King of the Ring tournament was held by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on July 8, 1985, at the Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The inaugural tournament was won by Don Muraco, who defeated The Iron Sheik in the final. In addition to the tournament, there was only one other match during the night, in which Hulk Hogan defeated Nikolai Volkoff to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Further King of the Ring tournaments were held from 1986 to 1989 and in 1991. These early tournaments were held as special non-televised house shows in an effort to boost attendance at these events. The reward for winning the tournament was the title "King of the Ring", although 1986 winner Harley Race was the only one to carry this gimmick onto television during these early years of the tournament.

Pay-per-view

Main article: King of the Ring

In 1993, the WWF began to produce an annual June pay-per-view (PPV) titled King of the Ring. The inaugural King of the Ring PPV took place on June 13, 1993, at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. Unlike the previous non-televised events, the PPV did not feature all of the tournament's matches. Instead, several of the qualifying matches preceded the event with the final few matches then taking place at the pay-per-view. There were also other matches that took place at the event as it was a traditional three-hour pay-per-view. The King of the Ring pay-per-view was considered one of the promotion's "Big Five" PPVs of the year, along with the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, up until its disestablishment as a PPV event after the 2002 event—the 2002 tournament was the first tournament (and the only until 2024) to award the winner a reward other than the title of "King of the Ring"; winner Brock Lesnar received a match for the WWE Undisputed Championship at that year's SummerSlam. Also in early 2002, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and the promotion introduced the brand extension, in which the roster was divided between brands where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform. The 2002 tournament was in turn held for wrestlers from both brands.

Revivals

Sheamus, king of the ring 2010.

After a four-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2006 and was held exclusively for wrestlers from the SmackDown! brand. Unlike the previous years, however, there was not an associated pay-per-view. Instead, tournament matches took place across episodes of SmackDown!. The final of the 2006 tournament did occur at a PPV, but it was at Judgment Day where Booker T defeated Bobby Lashley in the tournament final. The tournament then returned in 2008, and was held as a special episode of Raw on April 21. This tournament was held for wrestlers from all three of WWE's brands at the time—Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, the latter of which was established as a third brand in 2006. The 2008 tournament was won by Raw's William Regal, who defeated ECW's CM Punk in the final. The 2010 tournament was then held in November that year. Qualifying matches occurred on the November 22 episode of Raw with the tournament itself being held on the November 29 episode. The 2010 tournament only featured wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown, as ECW had been disbanded in February that year. It was won by Raw's Sheamus, who defeated John Morrison, also from Raw, in the final.

After a five-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2015. Quarterfinal matches were held on the April 27 episode of Raw, with the semifinals and final airing the following night exclusively as an event on WWE's online streaming service, the WWE Network, which launched in February 2014. Bad News Barrett defeated Neville in the final. At this time, the brand split was not in effect as the brand extension had been dissolved in August 2011; also in April 2011, the promotion ceased using its full name with "WWE" becoming an orphaned initialism. After another four-year hiatus and after the brand extension had been reinstated in 2016, the tournament returned in 2019 and featured wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown. In this tournament, there was a Raw bracket and a SmackDown bracket and the winners of each faced off in the King of the Ring tournament final, becoming the standard for future tournaments. Tournament matches began on the August 19 episode of Raw and were held across episodes of Raw and SmackDown over the next month. The final was originally scheduled to occur at that year's Clash of Champions event, but was rescheduled to occur on the following night's episode of Raw on September 16. The tournament was won by Raw's Baron Corbin, who defeated SmackDown's Chad Gable in the final.

The tournament returned in 2021 and was again between wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown. It began on the October 8 episode of SmackDown and continued across episodes of Raw and SmackDown, with the final held at the Crown Jewel event on October 21, 2021. Additionally, a women's version of the tournament was introduced, called Queen's Crown, and was held simultaneously alongside the men's tournament. Raw's Xavier Woods defeated SmackDown's Finn Bálor to win the 2021 tournament.

Return to pay-per-view and livestreaming

In March 2023, it was announced that the tournament would return to having its own PPV and livestreaming event, but rebranded as "King and Queen of the Ring" to also incorporate the Queen's Crown tournament, and it would be held in Saudi Arabia as part of WWE's partnership with the country. However, on April 13, it was announced that these plans were scrapped, with WWE opting to instead hold Night of Champions. According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the decision to change the event to Night of Champions was a creative choice to revive and bring that event to an international market. Fightful later reported that WWE did not have plans to reschedule King and Queen of the Ring for later that year, but the event could possibly be used for a future Saudi show. In April 2024, WWE announced that they would hold the King and Queen of the Ring event in Saudi Arabia in May 2024, with the Queen's Crown renamed as Queen of the Ring. Tournament matches began on the May 6 episode of Raw, and were held across episodes of Raw, SmackDown, and at WWE Live events. On May 23, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque announced that the winner of the 2024 King of the Ring tournament would receive a world championship match of their respective brand at SummerSlam, marking only the second time that the King of the Ring winner would receive an award other than the title of "King of the Ring". The 2024 tournament was won by Raw's Gunther, who defeated SmackDown's Randy Orton with Gunther receiving a match for the World Heavyweight Championship.

King gimmicks

Harley Race, the second King of the Ring winner, was the first to incorporate the victory into his on-screen character

In 1986, the second King of the Ring winner, Harley Race, parlayed his victory into an arrogant King of Wrestling gimmick, featuring a regal cape and crown. This gimmick led to several notable feuds for Race with Junkyard Dog, Hulk Hogan, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and others, even after new winners had been crowned in the annual tournament. In 1988, Race suffered an abdominal injury and during his absence, his manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan awarded the crown to Haku in July, rechristening him King Haku, even though Randy Savage had won the tournament by that point and Ted DiBiase would also win the tournament during this storyline. Race eventually returned from his injury and briefly feuded with King Haku, but was unable to regain the crown at the 1989 Royal Rumble. King Haku then lost the crown to "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in May 1989. "King Hacksaw" then lost it on August 30, 1989, to "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who rebranded himself "Macho King". Savage abandoned the "Macho King" gimmick upon his loss in a "Career ending match" to The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VII in 1991, declaring afterwards that "the Kingdom of the Madness has been cracked in half". Following this, only wrestlers who had won the most recent tournament, as well as Jerry Lawler (who had used a King of Wrestling image regionally in the Memphis area since the early 1970s), would use the gimmick.

Owen Hart ("King of Harts"), Mabel ("King Mabel"), Kurt Angle ("King Kurt"), Edge ("King Edge the Awesome"), Booker T ("King Booker"), Sheamus ("King Sheamus"), Bad News Barrett ("King Barrett"), Baron Corbin ("King Corbin"), and Xavier Woods ("King Woods") are all wrestlers that also took on "King" nicknames after winning King of the Ring tournaments, with varying amounts of indulgence in their respective gimmick. William Regal won the tournament while serving as General Manager of Raw and began displaying King Lear signs of tyranny and delusion. Triple H alluded to his King of the Ring victory as part of his integrated gimmick starting in 2006 as the "King of Kings".

In addition to the King's crown, various female wrestlers were portrayed as Queen while they were aligned with Kings, including "Queen of the Ring" The Fabulous Moolah (aligned with King Harley Race at WrestleMania III), Sensational Queen Sherri (manager of "Macho King" Randy Savage), and Queen Sharmell (manager of King Booker). Mo, Mabel's tag team partner in Men on a Mission, was "knighted" as Sir Mo by his partner after the latter's 1995 victory. Finlay and Regal were "knighted" as Sir Finlay and Sir Regal when they were part of King Booker's Court. In December 2020, King Corbin started a faction with Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake, knighting them as the "Knights of the Lone Wolf" (with lone wolf a reference to his previous nickname), although this would be short-lived as Cutler was released by WWE in February 2021. Corbin's king gimmick ended in June 2021 after he lost his King of the Ring crown in a match to Shinsuke Nakamura, who then took on a king persona, being called King Nakamura. On October 8, 2021, just prior to the start of the 2021 tournament that night, Nakamura respectfully relinquished the crown. After Xavier Woods won the 2021 tournament and became King Woods, he knighted his New Day tag team partner Kofi Kingston as "Sir Kofi Kingston", and appointed him the Hand of the King. After Woods took time off due to injury, his king gimmick was dropped upon his return.

List of winners

‡ SmackDown-branded tournament
Year Winner Runner-up Finals date Finals location
1 1985 Don Muraco The Iron Sheik July 8, 1985 Foxborough, Massachusetts
2 1986 Harley Race Pedro Morales July 14, 1986
3 1987 Randy Savage King Kong Bundy September 4, 1987 Providence, Rhode Island
4 1988 Ted DiBiase Randy Savage October 16, 1988
5 1989 Tito Santana Rick Martel October 14, 1989
6 1991 Bret Hart Irwin R. Schyster September 7, 1991
7 1993 Bam Bam Bigelow June 13, 1993 Dayton, Ohio
8 1994 Owen Hart Razor Ramon June 19, 1994 Baltimore, Maryland
9 1995 Mabel Savio Vega June 25, 1995 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10 1996 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Jake Roberts June 23, 1996 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
11 1997 Hunter Hearst Helmsley Mankind June 8, 1997 Providence, Rhode Island
12 1998 Ken Shamrock The Rock June 28, 1998 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
13 1999 Billy Gunn X-Pac June 27, 1999 Greensboro, North Carolina
14 2000 Kurt Angle Rikishi June 25, 2000 Boston, Massachusetts
15 2001 Edge Kurt Angle June 24, 2001 East Rutherford, New Jersey
16 2002 Brock Lesnar Rob Van Dam June 23, 2002 Columbus, Ohio
17‡ 2006 Booker T Bobby Lashley May 21, 2006 Phoenix, Arizona
18 2008 William Regal CM Punk April 21, 2008 Greenville, South Carolina
19 2010 Sheamus John Morrison November 29, 2010 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
20 2015 Bad News Barrett Neville April 28, 2015 Moline, Illinois
21 2019 Baron Corbin Chad Gable September 16, 2019 Knoxville, Tennessee
22 2021 Xavier Woods Finn Bálor October 21, 2021 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
23 2024 Gunther Randy Orton May 25, 2024 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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