King of the Ring

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King of the Ring logo (1999-present)
King of the Ring logo (1999-present)

King of the Ring is an annual World Wrestling Entertainment tournament first held in 1985. From 1993 to 2002, it was held as a pay-per-view event as well. After a four year hiatus, the King of the Ring tournament returned in 2006 as a SmackDown! exclusive tournament.

Contents

[edit] History

Although the King of the Ring tournament was first made into a pay-per-view event in 1993, the original King of the Ring tournament was actually held in 1985. Don Muraco was the first King of the Ring in 1985. The second King, Harley Race, is noted for parlaying his King of the Ring victory into his "King of Wrestling" gimmick. Other winners who did the same include Randy Savage ("Macho King") , Owen Hart ("King of Harts"), "King" Mabel, Kurt Angle ("King Kurt"), Edge ("King Edge The Awesome") and most recently, Booker T ("King Booker").

[edit] Pay-per-view

The King of the Ring main event was an event in which typically fifteen to sixteen wrestlers wrestled in a one-on-one single elimination bracket. When a wrestler wins a match in the bracket, they advance forward to take on another wrestler that 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.

While some believe that the new King of the Ring traditionally receives a WWF/WWE Championship shot at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, this only became an established rule in 2002, for what would become the final King of the Ring tournament for 4 years until SmackDown! general manager Theodore Long brought it back in 2006. Although four kings went on to challenge for the championship at SummerSlam (Owen Hart, Mabel, Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar) and only in Lesnar's case was the challenger granted a title shot as a "right" after winning the King of the Ring. More important than an actual title shot was the prestige of winning the tournament itself; some wrestlers have made being king an integral part of their gimmick, and, in general, the winner of the King of the Ring is a wrestler whom management has picked to advance in the storylines and be the next breakout star. In fact, Steve Austin's famous "3:16" saying started at KOTR. A number of wrestlers have had huge successes after winning the tournament (in particular Steve Austin, but also Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, Triple H, and others), while some wrestlers have admittedly been "flops" as king (such as Mabel and Billy Gunn).

The PPV also was considered the fifth major WWF PPV (alongside the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series) as it was one of their only annual events.

[edit] Revival

It was announced in April 2006 that the King of the Ring tournament would be returning in 2006 after its four year hiatus. The 2006 tournament was the first tournament since 1991 that had not been shown on its own pay-per-view. The 2006 tournament was won by Booker T, who faced Bobby Lashley in the final at the Judgment Day pay-per-view event.

[edit] List of winners

[edit] Event results

[edit] 1985

Under the name WWF Wrestling Classic, the tournament was held on July 8, 1985 at the Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                                     
 Don Muraco    
 Junkyard Dog    
   Don Muraco    
   Les Thornton    
 Les Thornton  
 Steve Lombardi    
   Don Muraco    
   Pedro Morales    
 Paul Orndorff DDQ  
 Bob Orton Jr. DDQ  
   BYE  
   Pedro Morales    
 Pedro Morales  
 Johnny V    
   Don Muraco  
   The Iron Sheik  
 Tito Santana    
 Terry Funk    
   Tito Santana Coin Toss
   Jim Brunzell    
 Jim Brunzell  
 The Spoiler    
   Tito Santana  
   The Iron Sheik    
 Ricky Steamboat    
 Greg Valentine    
   Ricky Steamboat  
   The Iron Sheik    
 The Iron Sheik  
 B. Brian Blair    

[edit] 1986

The tournament was held on July 14, 1986 at the Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                                     
   
   Mr. X    
     Billy Jack Haynes    
 Billy Jack Haynes  
 The Iron Sheik    
   Billy Jack Haynes    
   Harley Race    
 Harley Race    
 George Steele    
   Harley Race  
     BYE    
 Don Muraco Draw
 Roddy Piper Draw  
   Harley Race  
   Pedro Morales  
 Nikolai Volkoff    
 Dan Spivey    
   Nikolai Volkoff  
     The Junkyard Dog    
 Junkyard Dog  
 Paul Orndorff    
   Nikolai Volkoff  
   Pedro Morales    
 Pedro Morales    
 Rudy Diamond    
   Pedro Morales  
     Mike Rotundo    
 

[edit] 1987

The tournament was held on September 4, 1987 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                                     
 Haku    
 Brutus Beefcake    
   Haku Draw  
   Rick Martel Draw  
 Rick Martel  
 Dan Spivey    
   BYE    
   King Kong Bundy    
 King Kong Bundy CO  
 One Man Gang    
   King Kong Bundy  
   Special Delivery Jones    
 Special Delivery Jones  
 Sika    
   King Kong Bundy  
   Randy Savage  
 Danny Davis CO  
 Tito Santana    
   Danny Davis  
   The Junkyard Dog    
 Junkyard Dog  
 Tama    
   Danny Davis  
   Randy Savage    
 Jim Brunzell    
 Ron Bass    
   Jim Brunzell  
   Randy Savage    
 Randy Savage  
 Nikolai Volkoff    

[edit] 1988

The tournament was held on October 16, 1988 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                                     
 Ken Patera Pin  
 Nikolai Volkoff 10:20  
   Ken Patera Pin  
   Ted DiBiase 5:42  
 Brutus Beefcake Pin
 Ted DiBiase 7:32  
   Ted DiBiase Forfeit  
   Ron Bass 2  
 The Barbarian DQ  
 Ron Bass 7:02  
   Ron Bass Pin
   Shawn Michaels 7:39  
 Danny Davis Pin
 Shawn Michaels 3:37  
   Ted DiBiase CO
   Randy Savage 6:11
 Bad News Brown DCO  
 Hercules 6:05  
   BYE  
   Randy Savage    
 Randy Savage Pin
 Virgil 5:43  
   Randy Savage Pin
   The Red Rooster 7:21  
 Marty Jannetty Pin  
 The Red Rooster 11:00  
   The Red Rooster Sub
   Iron Mike Sharpe 3:27  
 Iron Mike Sharpe 1 Pin
 Boris Zhukov 6:27  

1: Iron Mike Sharpe substituted for The Warlord.
2: DiBiase paid Bass off to fake an injury.

[edit] 1989

The tournament was held on October 14, 1989 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                                     
 Akeem    
 Brutus Beefcake    
   Akeem    
   BYE    
 Hercules DDQ
 Jim Neidhart DDQ  
   Akeem    
   Tito Santana    
 The Warlord    
 Bushwhacker Butch    
   The Warlord  
   Tito Santana    
 Tito Santana  
 Bad News Brown    
   Tito Santana  
   Rick Martel  
 Rick Martel    
 Bill Woods 1    
   Rick Martel  
   Bushwhacker Luke    
 Bushwhacker Luke  
 Nikolai Volkoff    
   Rick Martel  
   Jimmy Snuka    
 Jimmy Snuka    
 The Barbarian    
   Jimmy Snuka  
   Haku    
 Haku  
 The Red Rooster    

1: Bill Woods substituted for Barry Windham.

[edit] 1991

The tournament was held on September 7, 1991 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                                     
 Hawk DQ  
 Jerry Saggs 3:02  
   Jerry Saggs    
   BYE    
 Ricky Steamboat Draw
 Ted DiBiase 15:00  
   Jerry Saggs Pin  
   Irwin R. Schyster 1:22  
 Jim Duggan Pin  
 Brian Knobbs 5:04  
   Jim Duggan Pin
   Irwin R. Schyster 3:16  
 The Berzerker CO
 Irwin R. Schyster 2:51  
   Irwin R. Schyster Pin
   Bret Hart 10:00
 Pete Doherty 1 Sub  
 Bret Hart 0:33  
   Bret Hart Sub
   Skinner 4:47  
 Skinner Pin
 Virgil 5:02  
   Bret Hart  
   BYE    
 Sid Justice Pin  
 The Warlord 3:23  
   The Undertaker DDQ
   Sid Justice 4:08  
 Animal Pin
 The Undertaker 3:40  

1: Pete Doherty substituted for Kerry Von Erich.

[edit] 1993

King of the Ring 1993
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 13, 1993
Venue Nutter Center
City Dayton, Ohio
Attendance 6,500
Pay-per-view chronology
WrestleMania IX King of the Ring 1993 SummerSlam 1993

King of the Ring 1993 took place on June 13, 1993 at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.

The tournament took place between May 1 and June 13, 1993. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(PPV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Bret Hart    
 BYE 1    
   Bret Hart Pin  
   Razor Ramon 10:28  
 Razor Ramon Pin
 Tito Santana 3:21  
   Bret Hart Pin  
   Mr. Perfect 18:57  
 Mr. Perfect2 Pin  
 Doink the Clown 11:30  
   Mr. Perfect DQ
   Mr. Hughes 6:02  
 Kamala COR
 Mr. Hughes 2:45  
   Bret Hart Pin
   Bam Bam Bigelow 18:20
 Jim Duggan Pin  
 Papa Shango    
   Jim Duggan Pin
   Bam Bam Bigelow 5:00  
 Bam Bam Bigelow Pin
 Typhoon 5:08  
   Bam Bam Bigelow  
   BYE    
 Bob Backlund CO  
 Lex Luger 4:53  
   Lex Luger Draw
   Tatanka 15:00  
 Tatanka DQ
 Giant Gonzales 2:59  

1 Crush and Shawn Michaels fought to a Double Count-Out on WWF Superstars 5/22/93 in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match. Michaels had lost the WWF Intercontinental Championship just five days earlier. Crush petitioned WWF President, Jack Tunney over the decision stating that Michaels purposely cost both men a berth into the WWF King of the Ring 1993 Tournament. Crush was later awarded a WWF Intercontinental Championship Title Match with Michaels at the King of the Ring PPV.

2 Mr. Perfect and Doink The Clown battled to a Ten Minute Time Limit Draw in the first King of the Ring Qualifying Match on WWF Superstars 5/1/93. Mr. Perfect and Doink The Clown wrestled again to a Ten Minute Limit Draw on WWF Wrestling Challenge 5/15/93. The two battled for the final berth on WWF Monday Night RAW 5/24/93 in a match where there was no time limit.

[edit] 1994

King of the Ring 1994
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 19, 1994
Venue Baltimore Arena
City Baltimore, Maryland
Attendance 12,000
Pay-per-view chronology
WrestleMania X King of the Ring 1994 SummerSlam 1994

King of the Ring 1994 took place on June 19, 1994 at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

The tournament took place between April 13 and June 19, 1994. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(PPV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Kwang Pin  
 Razor Ramon 9:42  
   Razor Ramon Pin  
   Bam Bam Bigelow 8:24  
 Bam Bam Bigelow Pin
 Sparky Plugg 6:28  
   Razor Ramon Pin  
   Irwin R. Schyster 5:13  
 Irwin R. Schyster Pin  
 Scott Steiner 6:51  
   Irwin R. Schyster Pin
   Mabel 5:34  
 Mabel Pin
 Pierre Oulette 2:57  
   Razor Ramon Pin
   Owen Hart 6:35
 Doink the Clown Pin  
 Owen Hart 10:43  
   Owen Hart Pin
   Tatanka 8:18  
 Crush Pin
 Tatanka1 17:08  
   Owen Hart Sub
   1-2-3 Kid 3:37  
 1-2-3 Kid Pin  
 Adam Bomb 5:13  
   1-2-3 Kid Pin
   Jeff Jarrett 4:39  
 Jeff Jarrett CO
 Lex Luger 6:52  

1 Crush (replacing the originally announced Jimmy Del Ray) and Tatanka wrestled to a Double Count-Out on WWF Monday Night RAW on 5/30/94 in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match. The two would wrestle again the next week on RAW in a Lumberjack Match for the final slot in the WWF King of the Ring 1994.

[edit] 1995

King of the Ring 1995
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 25, 1995
Venue The Spectrum
City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Attendance 16,590
Pay-per-view chronology
In Your House 1: Premiere King of the Ring 1995 In Your House 2: The Lumberjacks

King of the Ring 1995 took place on June 25, 1995 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The tournament took place between May 14 and June 25, 1995. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(PPV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Adam Bomb Pin  
 Mabel   1:54    
   Mabel Pin  
   The Undertaker 10:44  
 Jeff Jarrett Pin
 The Undertaker 8:55  
   Mabel    
   BYE    
 Kama Pin  
 Duke Droese 2:51  
   Kama Draw
   Shawn Michaels 15:00  
 King Kong Bundy Pin
 Shawn Michaels    6:01  
   Mabel Pin
   Savio Vega             8:32  
 Bob Holly Pin  
 Mantaur 5:29  
   Bob Holly Pin
   The Roadie 7:30  
 The Roadie Pin
 Doink the Clown 5:04  
   The Roadie Pin
   Savio Vega             6:36    
 Lex Luger CO  
 Yokozuna1 8:07  
   Yokozuna CO
   Savio Vega 8:24  
 Razor Ramon2 Pin
 Jacob Blu 7:46  

1 Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith wrestled to a 15:00 Time Limit Draw on WWF Monday Night RAW on 6/5/95 in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match. Yokozuna would defeat Luger the next week on RAW for the final slot in the King of the Ring Tournament.

2 Savio Vega defeated Irwin R. Schyster in a match prior to the pay-per-view, to fill the vacancy left due to Razor Ramon's rib injury he suffered on June 9 in Uniondale, New York in a ladder match against Jeff Jarrett. Ramon had qualified on May 16 in Danbury, Connecticut over Jacob Blu.

[edit] 1996

King of the Ring 1996
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 23, 1996
Venue MECCA Arena
City Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attendance 8,762
Pay-per-view chronology
In Your House 8: Beware of Dog 2 King of the Ring 1996 In Your House 9: International Incident

King of the Ring 1996 took place on June 23, 1996 at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.


The tournament took place between May 27 and June 23, 1996 (the entire first two rounds were actually done on May 27 and 28, two of the three quarterfinal matches actually occurred before the first round was completed). The tournament brackets were:

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(TV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Ahmed Johnson Pin  
 Vader 11:32  
   Vader    
   BYE    
 Goldust DCO
 Ultimate Warrior 15:20  
   Vader DQ  
   Jake Roberts 3:34  
 Hunter Hearst Helmsley Pin  
 Jake Roberts 9:34  
   Jake Roberts Pin
   Justin Bradshaw 6:15  
 Justin Bradshaw Pin
 Henry Godwinn 7:39  
   Jake Roberts Pin
   Steve Austin 4:28
 Steve Austin Sub  
 Bob Holly 9:34  
   Steve Austin Pin
   Savio Vega 8:10  
 Marty Jannetty Pin
 Savio Vega 7:25  
   Steve Austin Pin
   Marc Mero 16:49  
 Marc Mero Pin  
 Bodydonna Skip 10:28 TV Time  
   Marc Mero Pin
   Owen Hart 9:43  
 Owen Hart Pin
 Yokozuna 3:58  

[edit] 1997

King of the Ring 1997
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 8, 1997
Venue Providence Civic Center
City Providence, Rhode Island
Attendance 9,312
Pay-per-view chronology
In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell King of the Ring 1997 In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede

King of the Ring 1997 took place on June 8, 1997 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

The tournament was held between May 12 and June 8, 1997. The tournament brackets were:

  Quarterfinals
(TV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                           
   Ahmed Johnson DQ  
 Hunter Hearst Helmsley 3:54  
     Ahmed Johnson Pin  
     Hunter Hearst Helmsley 7:42  
 Hunter Hearst Helmsley1 Pin
   Crush 3:56  
       Hunter Hearst Helmsley Pin
     Mankind 19:26
   Goldust Pin  
 Jerry Lawler 5:21  
     Jerry Lawler Sub
     Mankind 10:24  
 Mankind Pin
   Savio Vega 3:02  

1 Helmsley was allowed another spot in the tournament because he was not properly instructed prior to his match with Ahmed Johnson the previous week that he could be eliminated via disqualification and thus threatened the WWF with legal action; Vader was originally in this spot but was injured in his No Holds Barred match with Ken Shamrock at In Your House: A Cold Day in Hell on May 11.

[edit] 1998

King of the Ring 1998
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 28, 1998
Venue Pittsburgh Civic Arena
City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Attendance 17,087
Pay-per-view chronology
Over the Edge 1998 King of the Ring 1998 In Your House: Fully Loaded

King of the Ring 1998 was held on June 28, 1998 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The tagline for the event was "Off With Their Heads".

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(TV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Vader Pin  
 The Rock 4:41  
     The Rock Pin  
     Triple H 8:08  
 Triple H CO
 X-Pac 5:11  
     The Rock Pin  
     Dan Severn 4:25  
 Owen Hart Sub  
 Scorpio 5:16  
     Owen Hart Sub
     Dan Severn 3:00  
 D'Lo Brown Sub
 Dan Severn 3:08  
     The Rock Sub
     Ken Shamrock 14:09
 Ken Shamrock Sub  
 Kama Mustafa 2:43  
     Ken Shamrock Sub
     Mark Henry 4:37  
 Mark Henry Pin
 Terry Funk 4:55  
     Ken Shamrock Sub
     Jeff Jarrett 5:29  
 Jeff Jarrett Pin  
 Faarooq 3:32  
     Jeff Jarrett Pin
     Marc Mero 4:31  
 Marc Mero Pin
 Steve Blackman 2:57  

[edit] 1999

King of the Ring 1999
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 27, 1999
Venue Greensboro Coliseum
City Greensboro, North Carolina
Attendance 19,761
Pay-per-view chronology
Over the Edge 1999 King of the Ring 1999 Fully Loaded 1999

King of the Ring 1999 took place on June 27, 1999 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The tournament took place between May 25 and June 27, 1999. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(PPV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Mr. Ass Pin  
 Viscera 2:05  
     Mr. Ass Ref Stop  
     Ken Shamrock 3:37  
 Ken Shamrock Sub
 Jeff Jarrett 2:55  
     Mr. Ass Pin  
     Kane 5:25  
 Droz Pin  
 The Big Show 0:59  
     The Big Show Pin
     Kane 6:36  
 Test Pin
 Kane 3:05  
     Mr. Ass Pin
     X-Pac 5:33
 Road Dogg Pin  
 The Godfather 1:02  
     Road Dogg Pin
     Chyna 13:19  
 Chyna Pin
 Val Venis 2:14  
     Road Dogg Pin
     X-Pac 3:08  
 Al Snow Pin  
 Hardcore Holly 1:24  
     Hardcore Holly DQ
     X-Pac 3:02  
 The Big Boss Man Pin
 X-Pac 2:37  

[edit] 2000

King of the Ring 2000
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 25, 2000
Venue FleetCenter
City Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance 15,388
Pay-per-view chronology
Judgment Day 2000 King of the Ring 2000 Fully Loaded 2000

King of the Ring 2000 took place on June 25, 2000 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts.

The tournament took place between May 29 and June 25, 2000.

  First round
(TV)
Second round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(PPV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Finals
(PPV)
                                               
 Kurt Angle Pin  
 Bradshaw 2:48  
     Kurt Angle Pin  
     Bubba Ray Dudley 4:42  
 Bubba Ray Dudley Pin
 Big Bossman 3:26  
     Kurt Angle Pin  
     Chris Jericho 9:50  
 Chris Jericho Pin  
 Test 4:15  
     Chris Jericho Sub
     Edge 5:30  
 Edge Pin
 Grand Master Sexay 5:12  
     Kurt Angle Pin  
     Crash Holly 3:58  
 Crash Holly Pin  
 Prince Albert 1:26  
     Crash Holly DQ
     Hardcore Holly 4:17  
 Hardcore Holly Pin
 Faarooq 3:04  
     Crash Holly Pin
     Bull Buchanan 4:07  
 Bull Buchanan Pin  
 Steve Blackman 3:22  
     Bull Buchanan Pin
     Perry Saturn 2:03  
 Perry Saturn Pin
 D-Von Dudley 4:43  
   Kurt Angle Pin
   Rikishi 5:56
 Rikishi DQ  
 Shane McMahon 2:35  
     Rikishi Pin  
     Scotty 2 Hotty 2:53  
 Scotty 2 Hotty Pin
 D'Lo Brown 3:38  
     Rikishi DQ  
     Chris Benoit 3:25  
 Chris Benoit Pin  
 Road Dogg 1:43  
     Chris Benoit Sub
     X-Pac 4:53  
 X-Pac Pin
 Dean Malenko 2:01  
     Rikishi Pin
     Val Venis 3:15  
 Val Venis Pin  
 Al Snow 4:31  
     Val Venis Pin
     Jeff Hardy 3:56  
 Jeff Hardy Pin
 Christian 1:59  
     Val Venis Pin
     Eddie Guerrero 8:04  
 Eddie Guerrero Pin  
 Matt Hardy 4:11  
     Eddie Guerrero Pin
     Chyna 2:25  
 Chyna Pin
 The Godfather 1:44  

[edit] 2001

King of the Ring 2001
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Federation
Date June 24, 2001
Venue Continental Airlines Arena
City East Rutherford, New Jersey
Attendance 17,777
Pay-per-view chronology
Judgment Day 2001 King of the Ring 2001 InVasion

King of the Ring 2001 took place on June 24, 2001 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The tournament took place between June 4 and June 24, 2001. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(TV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Kurt Angle Pin  
 Hardcore Holly 6:21  
     Kurt Angle Sub  
     Jeff Hardy 3:19  
 Jeff Hardy Pin
 Matt Hardy 3:57  
     Kurt Angle Pin  
     Christian 8:17  
 Christian Pin  
 Kane 2:14  
     Christian Pin
     The Big Show 2:19  
 The Big Show Pin
 Raven 1:35  
     Kurt Angle Pin
     Edge 10:21
 Edge Pin  
 Test 5:52  
     Edge Pin
     Perry Saturn 3:49  
 Steve Blackman Pin
 Perry Saturn 2:05  
     Edge Pin
     Rhyno 8:52  
 Crash Holly Pin  
 Tajiri 3:08  
     Tajiri Pin
     Rhyno 2:52  
 Rhyno Pin
 Tazz 3:20  

[edit] 2002

King of the Ring 2002
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand (s) RAW
SmackDown
Date June 23, 2002
Venue Nationwide Arena
City Columbus, Ohio
Attendance 14,200
Pay-per-view chronology
Judgment Day 2002 King of the Ring 2002 Vengeance 2002

King of the Ring 2002 took place on June 23, 2002 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The official theme song was "Ride Of Your Life" by Neurotica

The tournament took place between June 3 and June 23, 2002. The tournament brackets were:

  First Round
(TV)
Quarterfinals
(TV)
Semifinals
(PPV)
Final
(PPV)
                                     
 Brock Lesnar Pin  
 Bubba Ray Dudley 4:49  
     Brock Lesnar Pin  
     Booker T 3:22  
 Booker T Pin
 William Regal 3:26  
     Brock Lesnar Pin  
     Test 8:18  
 Hardcore Holly Pin  
 Tajiri    
     Hardcore Holly Pin
     Test    
 The Hurricane Pin
 Test    
     Brock Lesnar Pin
     Rob Van Dam 5:42
 Chris Jericho Forf 1  
 Edge    
     Chris Jericho Sub
     Val Venis    
 Christian Pin
 Val Venis 3:22  
     Chris Jericho Pin
     Rob Van Dam 14:32  
 X-Pac Pin  
 Goldust 3:26  
     X-Pac Pin
     Rob Van Dam 6:00  
 Eddie Guerrero Pin
 Rob Van Dam 9:38  

1 Edge forfeited his match to Chris Jericho due to a shoulder injury.

[edit] 2006

2006 King of the Ring
2006 King of the Ring

The tournament took place between April 14 and May 21, 2006. The tournament brackets were:

  Quarterfinals
(TV)
Semifinals
(TV)
Final
(PPV - Judgment Day)
                           
   Kurt Angle Sub  
 Randy Orton 8:13  
     Kurt Angle Inj1  
     Booker T    
 Matt Hardy Pin
   Booker T 15:23  
       Booker T Pin
     Bobby Lashley 9:15
   Chris Benoit Pin  
 Finlay 22:30  
     Finlay 13:30
     Bobby Lashley Pin  
 Bobby Lashley CO
   Mark Henry 5:02  

1 Kurt Angle was injured by Mark Henry on the April 28, 2006 episode of Friday Night SmackDown!. Due to the injury, Angle's spot was turned into a bye.

[edit] Trivia

  • The 1999 King of the Ring Tournament is singular because it is the only one in which all of its televised Qualifying Round matches occurred on Sunday Night HEAT. Normally, most King of the Ring matches happened at WWE's main shows RAW, SmackDown!, or Superstars. The only other tournament to have matches contested on Heat was the 2000 edition, but they were only few matches with mainly low and mid-card contestants.
  • The 1995 event was the only one where the winner received a physical title belt for winning.

[edit] External links