It all started (or, at least started being broadcast on PPV) in 1993. The actual King of the Ring tournament that year was like a who's who list of then current WWF superstars. Razor Ramon, Bam Bam Bigelow, Tatanka, Lex Luger, Mr. Perfect, Bret Hart. As Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Hacksaw in the first round, Tatanka and Luger fought to a time limit draw, giving Bam Bam a free ride to the finals, with no semi-final opponent. Meanwhile, Bret Hart had to get past Razor Ramon and then Mr. Perfect to advance to the finals. A very worn out Hitman had to go one on one with a fresh Bam Bam in the finals, but somehow, Bret pulled it off, to become the very first King of the Ring. Afterwards, the "King" Jerry Lawler, took exception to anyone being named the King but himself, and he attacked Hart during his coronation speech.
Elsewhere on the card, Hulk Hogan was set to defend his WWF championship against Yokozuna in a rematch from their impromptu 5-second classic at Wrestlemania VIX. A camera flash to the Hulkster's face and a Banzai Drop later, and we had a new WWF champion, and Hulkamania had been forever squashed. Hogan would never again wear the WWF title, nor would he ever set foot in a WWF ring again. Yokozuna had killed Hulkamaina.
1993's KOTR event was a great start to a great tradition. Hart refreshened his winning ways after losing the WWF title at Wrestlemania, and Yokozuna proved his worth by ending Hogan's run, and capturing the Heavyweight Title.
1994, the second annual King of the Ring. The Tournament that year was again highlighted by several then top stars in the WWF. Razor Ramon, Tatanka, and Bam Bam Bigelow all made their return appearances in the tournament. I.R.S., 1-2-3 Kid, Jeff Jarrett, Mabel, and Owen Hart all made their first KOTR appearances. Owen and Razor advanced to the finals, and in the end the Rocket, as Owen was then known, had become the 1994 King of the Ring. During his 'royal proclamation', Owen named himself The King of Harts, and declared that he was no longer in the shadow of older brother Bret.
In the title match for the evening, Bret Hart defended his WWF championship against Intercontinental Champion Diesel. Big Daddy Cool came out on top, although via disqualification, so Hart kept the title.
In my view, 1995 was probably the most disappointing King of the Ring thus far. There was no Heavyweight title match. The tournament itself had several at least what I consider to have been horrible upsets. Mabel defeated Undertaker, Savio Vega defeated Yokozuna, and Kama (Goodfather) and Shawn Michaels fought to a draw. Mabel benefited from the draw, and advanced automatically from the semi-finals to the finals to face Savio Vega. In the end, Mabel won and became King of the Ring 1995. Mabel, at least thus far, has proved to be the exception to the rule that winning the King of the Ring helps a superstar's career. Mabel had a very unsuccessful run at the top of the car, cumulating with a WWF title match (and loss) against Diesel at Summerslam 1995. His reincarnation in 1999 and 2000 as Viscera gave him the HardCore title, but no real success. In my view, 1995's King of the Ring basically sucked.
If you don't remember what took place the night of the 1996 King of the Ring, you clearly don't listen to Jim Ross very often, nor are you a very long term fan. It was at the King of the Ring 1996, where a simple phrase gave birth to a superstar. Steve Austin defeated Savio Vega, Marc Mero, and in the finals pinned Jake Roberts to become the 1996 King of the Ring. What took place afterwards was what the night is remembered for. After defeating Roberts, Austin took his time for his coronation speech to blast out some rather heated words, including this unforgettable phrase - "You talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16...Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!" Five years later, and that Austin 3:16 phrase is still being produced on t-shirts and the works.
Elsewhere on the card, Shawn Michaels defended the WWF title against the British Bulldog. Many of you may remember that HBK was also defending his honor in this match, as he had been accused of trying to seduce the Bulldog's wife Diana. Shawn came out on top in the end. Also at the 1996 King of the Ring, we saw one of Ultimate Warrior's last WWF matches as he defeated Jerry Lawler. We also saw the first ever black Intercontinental Champion crowned as Ahmed Johnson defeated Goldust.
1997's event was very much one of transition. Shawn Michaels had been headlining shows for much of the past year or two, but he had been out since February and was making his return at KOTR against his tag team partner, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Both men were hugely popular with the fans, and in the end both men showed their Federation "attitude" by beating the hell out of several officials, causing the match to end in a double DQ. Also that year, Undertaker successfully defended the WWF title against Faarooq. What was interesting about that match was the fact that Paul Bearer, who had turned on 'Taker at Summerslam '96, was back in the Phenom's corner, but not by the Undertaker's choice. You see, Bearer was holding some sort of huge secret over the Undertaker's head, that unless he allowed Bearer to manage him, would be revealed. Of course it was eventually discovered that Kane was Bearer's huge secret.
In the King of the Ring tournament itself, Mankind and Triple H battled their way into the finals, with Triple H eventually coming out on top with a little help from Chyna. This went on to start a very successful fued between Mick Foley and Triple H, that I guess basically didn't ever come to an end until Triple H retired Foley almost three years later.
The 1998 King of the Ring is my personal favorite. It's probably quite a few other people's favorite as well. Ken Shamrock won the King of the Ring tournament, beating Mark Henry, Jeff Jarrett, and the Rock along the way. Shamrock went on to become Intercontinental and one-half of the Tag Team Champions later that year.
Meanwhile, the double main event was just awesome. The Undertaker and Mankind fought in the infamous Hell in a Cell match that went on to become the most talked about match ever. Undertaker defeated Mankind in the most brutal match ever seen on American television. But that match has been covered so much there's no point in me going into detail. So, the WWF title match for that evening was a First Blood match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kane. If you know me, you know how much this match meant to me being the huge Kane mark I am. I was so psyched up for this one, and I wasn't disappointed. After a miscued chair shot from Undertaker that was meant for Mankind, but nailed Austin instead, the referee declared Kane the winner as Austin was busted wide open. Kane was the new WWF champion, and at least for one night only, I was a very, very happy man.
The 1999 King of the Ring featured a very DX (or former DX) filled tournament. Billy Gunn, Chyna, Road Dogg, X-Pac, and even Kane (who was teaming with X-Pac at the time) all were featured in the tournament that year. The finals ended up with Billy Gunn defeating X-Pac to become "King Ass".
Elsewhere on the card that night we saw WWF Champion Undertaker defeat The Rock..with a little help from Triple H, who was just beginning to really come into his own as a heel. The main event for the night was a handicap ladder match with Vince and Shane McMahon fighting Steve Austin for the title of CEO of the WWF. Shane and Vince pulled it out to reclaim ownership of the WWF.
Last year's King of the Ring event was another great event. Kurt Angle went past Chris Jericho, Crash, and Rikishi to become the King of the Ring 2000. Also on the card, Edge and Christian won the Tag Team Titles in a four-way match, Crash reclaimed the HardCore title in a hideous evening gown match between Brisco and Patterson, and Road Dogg, Tori and X-Pac defeated the Dudleys.
The main event saw The Rock, the Undertaker, and Kane take on Vince and Shane McMahon and Triple H. The pre-match stipulations were that if any member of the Rock's team pinned any member of Triple H's team, that person would become the WWF Champion (which belonged to Triple H at that time). So, when the Rock pinned Vince McMahon he became the WWF Champion.
As for this year's event, I'm not too sure what to say. So far only two matches have been announced. I believe (and hope) that Steve Austin will retain his WWF title against Benoit and Jericho. I think Shane will defeat Kurt Angle thanks to some WCW help. As far as the tournament itself, Jeff Hardy, Rhyno, Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, and Saturn have qualified so far, but the actual brackets have not been released. Out of those guys, I hope either Kurt or Rhyno wins, but I'm not sure who I'd actually put my money on. Surely after the Smackdown matches we can see the brackets and get a little better idea of what's going on with the tournament. I expect Kane will probably defend the IC title at the King of the Ring, and I would also think that the Undertaker will end up facing whoever turns out to be Sara's stalker. Should be a solid event, it always is (except 1995..) Just keep the Big Show off of the card, please!
Until next time...
