Here are my WWE King & Queen of The Ring Thoughts:
My Picks: Cody Rhodes, Becky Lynch, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, Nia Jax, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill.
As I do every Saudi show, even though he now competes on them, I still donate $10, the price of what was used to be the WWE Network to Sami Zayn's Charity: Sami For Syria.
fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/Sami4Syria2022Awesome video on #EddieGuerrero. Looking forward to watching his Biography on Monday along with the last 3 weeks of WWE on A&E.
Excellent video on AJ Styles.
Both interview segments with Cody Rhodes was good. Besides that & the videos on previous King of The Rings & the Tournament, the 2 hour Countdown was a waste of time.
Cool video on Xavier Woods. It sucks that he got hurt & couldn't be in this year's Tournament. Excellent video on Steve Austin & good recap of the Men's KOTR. Earlier the Women's KOTR recap was great.
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae was pretty good. MY PICKS: 1 for 1.
Wasn't CM Punk supposed to be part of the Countdown Panel? I thought they showed him last night.
OK promo by Logan Paul. The rest of the Countdown that I didn't talk about was OK.
I love seeing all of the wrestlers entering the building. Cool opening video. It got me more excited for now.
Wow, Becky Lynch paying homage to a Nun or a Penguin for her outfit. Liv Morgan paying homage to Brittany Spears for hers.
Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan was a great match. What a finish. I love Dominik Mysterio screwing up & Liv taking an advantage of it. MY PICKS: 1 for 2.
I missed the QR Code and I don't want to rewind or else it would screw up my feed.
Great opening video on Sami Zayn. I love how everything has changed for him. But once again, I invite you to donate to Sami For Syria, Sami's amazing charity.
Michael Cole is wrong. it's not Chad Gable's 1st PPV in 14 months. He was in the Battle Royal at SummerSlam last August.
Sami Zayn VS Chad Gable VS Bronson Reed was incredible. I loved everything. Gable is unbelievable. I love what happened with Otis. MY PICKS: 2 for 3.
I missed Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill's promo but I heard it. It sounded OK. I like all of the wrestlers being there for the Coronation later.
Lyra Valkyria VS Nia Jax was an excellent match. I have to take back all of the hatred I had for Nia. She really has improved immensely since her return. Lyra had a star-making performance. She will be OK with a loss. MY PICKS: 3 for 4.
Wow, Becky wants her re-match. I love that idea & re-matches clauses being a thing.But I hope that Liv wins. She deserves to have a long reign and not lose in 2 days.
This year's KOTR & QOTR Tournaments were amazing and harkened back to the original tournaments and not the crap that we got the last few tournaments.
I love Corey Graves mentioning the 1994 KOTR Tournament. By the way, I forgot to include this in my records, Randy Orton debuted in June 2002, the same month as the last time the KOTR PPV was held on PPV, not counting the WWE Network Special in 2015.
Another lie from Michael Cole. Brock Lesnar in 2002 wasn't the last time that the winner of the King of The Ring got a World Title Match at SummerSlam. Owen Hart got a World Title Match against Bret Hart in 1994, Mabel got a World Title Match against Diesel in 1995, & Kurt Angle got a World Title Match in a Triple Threat Match against The Rock & Triple H in 2000.
Randy Orton VS GUNTHER was tremendous. What a story it told. It has become my 2024 Match of The Year. I thought GUNTHER would lose. I saw the World Title Picture being McIntyre defeating Priest at Clash At The Castle. McIntyre VS Punk at SummerSlam & then GUNTHER getting his shot at Bash At Berlin, but I don't know who will win at SummerSlam. Then, they can build to Dragunov VS GUNTHER at WrestleMania next year after Dragunov wins the Rumble. Cody VS Orton at SummerSlam would have told a better story given their history. MY PICKS: 3 for 5.
I am so happy that Triple H made a right decision and went with Randy Orton VS GUNTHER instead of Jey Uso VS Tama Tonga to continue The Bloodline storyline.
Next Saudi PPV will be Crown Jewel in November.
Awesome, McIntyre VS Priest at Clash At The Castle. McIntyre wins in his home country & he will be champion longer than 5 minutes.
Cool. Cody's dedicating the match to Brandi. Get well soon Brandi.
I love the Drone Camera shot with Logan Paul's splash through the table on Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes VS Logan Paul was excellent. For someone that has wrestled in only 13 matches, Paul is an incredible wrestler. I have to give him credit despite his personal issues. MY PICKS: 4 for 6.
Here's my KOTR/QOTR Match Rankings:
1) Randy Orton VS GUNTHER
2) Lyra Valkyria VS Nia Jax
3) Cody Rhodes VS Logan Paul
4) Sami Zayn VS Chad Gable VS Bronson Reed
5) Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan
6) Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae
Here my KING & QUEEN OF THE RING FACTS:
This was the 1st PPV of 2024 since Elimination Chamber on February 24 to not have a World Heavyweight Championship Match & the 1st PPV since the Royal Rumble on January 27 to have only 1 Undisputed WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship Match. This was the 1st PPV of 2024 since Elimination Chamber on February 24 to not have a Women’s Championship Match & the 2nd PPV in a row to have only 1 Women’s Championship Match. This was the 2nd PPV in a row in 2024 to not have a Tag Team Championship Match & 3rd King of The Ring PPV in a row to not have one. This was the 2nd PPV in a row in 2024 to not have a United States Championship Match & there has never been a United States Championship Match at a King Of The Ring PPV.
BIANCA BELAIR & JADE CARGILL VS INDI HARTWELL & CANDICE LERAE was the 9th Women’s Tag Team Championship Match of 2024, 1st since Backlash on May 4, making it the 2nd PPV in a row, which was the 1st time since Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defended against Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair at Fastlane on March 21, 2021 & Natalya & Tamina at WrestleMania 37 on April 11, 2021 that the Women’s Tag Team Championship was defended 2 PPVs in a row. This was the 1st Women’s Tag Team Championship Match in King Of The Ring PPV History & the 1st Women's Match at King Of The Ring since 2022, & only the 2nd Women's Match at King Of The Ring after Molly Holly VS Trish Stratus in 2022. This was the 2nd Kickoff Match of 2024, the 1st since Elimination Chamber, which was also for the Women’s Tag Team Championship, the 7th King Of The Ring PPV to have a Dark or Pre-Show Match & the 1st since 1999. This was the 1st Women’s Tag Team Match in King Of The Ring PPV History. This was Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making them the 1st wrestlers to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut as defending Women’s Tag Team Champions. This was Belair’s 5th PPV in a row in 2024, making her the only woman to wrestle on every PPV of 2024, & the 1st time that she wrestled in 2 2-on-2 Tag Team Matches in a row on PPV since she & Sasha Banks lost to Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax at Elimination Chamber on February 21 & Fastlane on March 21, 2021, which were also for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. This was Jade Cargill’s 3rd PPV in a row in 2024. This was their 1st Kickoff Match of 2024. This was Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill’s 1st Women’s Tag Team Championship Defense, so if they would have lost, they would have been the 1st since Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez who lost to Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green on Raw on July 17, 2023 to lose in their 1st Defense. As of King & Queen Of The Ring, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill’s Women’s Tag Team Championship Reign has lasted 21 Days, so if they would have lost, they would have been the 1st to lose in 21 Days, which is the 4th Shortest Reign of All-Time ahead of Asuka & Alexa Bliss (10/31/22-11/5/22, 5 Days), Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez (8/29/22-9/12/22, 14 Days), & Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez’s 2nd Reign (7/1/23-7/17/23, 16 Days). This was Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making them the 1st wrestlers to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut challenging for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. This was their 1st PPV since Elimination Chamber on February 24, which was also a Kickoff Match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. If Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae would have won, they would have been the 2nd 1st-time Champions in a row, the 6th & 7th to be both NXT & WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions after Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Dakota Kai, Raquel Rodriguez, & IYO SKY, but 2nd team to hold both Championships after Carter & Chance & Indi Hartwell would be the 11th former NXT Women’s Champion after Asuka, Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Raquel Rodriguez, Kairi Sane, & IYO SKY to become Women’s Tag Team Champion & the 2nd Australian after Rhea Ripley. The Women’s Tag Team Championship has changed hands once in 2024, with the last title change taking place at Backlash on May 4, when Belair & Cargill defeated The Kabuki Warriors. It has changed hands 25 times in History. The Women’s Tag Team Championship has never changed hands at King Of The Ring.
BECKY LYNCH VS LIV MORGAN was the 5th Women’s World Championship Match of 2024, the 1st since Raw on April 22, & the 2nd PPV in a row in 2024. This was the 2nd Women’s Championship Match at King Of The Ring & the 3rd Women’s Match in King Of The Ring History after Molly Holly VS Trish Stratus in 2002, & the 1st time there were 2 Women’s Matches at King Of The Ring. This was Becky Lynch’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making her the 1st wrestler since Trish Stratus in 2002 to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut as defending Women’s Champion. This was her 1st PPV since WrestleMania XL on April 6. This was Becky Lynch’s 1st Women’s Championship Defense, so since she lost, Becky Lynch is the 1st since Charlotte Flair who lost to Bayley on Smackdown on October 11, 2019 to lose in her 1st Defense. As of King Of The Ring, Becky Lynch’s Women’s Championship Reign has lasted 30 Days, so so she is the 1st to lose in 30 Days, which is the 6th Shortest Reign of All-Time ahead of Charlotte Flair’s 4th Reign (5/19/19-5/19/18, Same Night), Charlotte Flair’s 5th Reign (10/6/19-10/11/19, 5 Days), Naomi’s 1st Reign (2/12/17-2/21/17, 9 Days), Charlotte Flair’s 3rd Reign (3/26/19-4/8/19, 13 Days), & Charlotte Flair’s 2nd Reign (8/19/18-9/16/18, 28 Days). This was Liv Morgan’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making her the 1st wrestler since Molly Holly in 2002 to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut challenging for the Women’s Championship. This was her 1st PPV since Elimination Chamber on February 24, her 1st 1-on-1 Match on PPV & 1st Women’s Championship Match since she lost the Women’s Championship to Ronda Rousey at Extreme Rules on October 8, 2022. Since Liv Morgan wins, she became the 7th 2-time Women's World Champion after Bayley, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Naomi, & Ronda Rousey & 1st since Rousey in 2022 & the 3rd to be both a 2-time Women’s Champion & Women’s Tag Team Champion after Bayley & Alexa Bliss. This was the 5th 1-on-1 Match between them after Raw on March 25, 2019, December 6, 2021, WWE Day 1 on January 1, 2022, & Raw on March 11, 2024, with Lynch winning all 4 matches until now. This was everyone's 1st King of The Ring PPV opener, the 1st time a Women's Championship Match & a Women's Match opened up a King Of The Ring PPV, & the 1st time since The Headbangers & Taka Michinoku VS Kaienti in 1998 that a King Of The Ring Tournament Match did not open a King Of The Ring PPV. This was the 2nd Women's World Title Change of 2024 & 1st since Lynch won a Battle Royal for the Vacant Championship. It has the 29 time in History. This was the 2nd Women's Title Change at King Of The Ring & 1st since Molly Holly defeated Trish Stratus in 2002, which was the only time it was defended.
SAMI ZAYN VS CHAD GABLE VS BRONSON REED was the 6th Intercontinental Championship Match of 2024, the 1st since Raw on April 29 & the 1st PPV since WrestleMania XL on April 6. This was the 3rd Intercontinental Championship Match at King Of The Ring after Shawn Michaels VS Crush in 1993 & Ahmed Johnson VS Goldust in 1996. This was the 12th Triple Threat Match of 2024, the 1st since NXT on May 21, the 1st Triple Threat Match on the main roster & on PPV since Backlash on May 4, the 1st Men’s Singles Triple Threat Match on the main roster since Smackdown on April 12, & 1st on PPV since WrestleMania XL on April 7. This was the 2nd Triple Threat Match at King Of The Ring & 1st since Steve Austin VS Chris Benoit VS Chris Jericho in 2001, making this the 1st Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Championship at King Of The Ring. This was the 1st Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Championship since GUNTHER VS Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus at WrestleMania 39 on April 2, 2023. This was Sami Zayn’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making him the 1st wrestler since Goldust in 1996 to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut as the defending Intercontinental Champion. This was his 1st PPV since WrestleMania XL on April 6, his 10th Singles Triple Threat Match in his Career & 1st since he lost to Big E along with Apollo Crews on Smackdown on February 5, 2021, giving hm a Singles Triple Threat Match Record of 3-4-1, with his last win being when he won the Intercontinental Championship from Jeff Hardy along with AJ Styles at Clash Of Champions on September 27, 2020. This was Sami Zayn's 3rd Intercontinental Championship Defense, so if he would have lost, he would have been the 1st since himself who lost to Big E on Smackdown on December 25, 2020 to lose in his 3rd Defense. As of King Of The Ring, Sami Zayn's Intercontinental Championship Reign has lasted 49 days, so if he would have lost, he would have been the 3rd to lose in 49 Days after Kofi Kingston’s 1st Reign (6/29/08-8/17/08) & CM Punk (1/19/09-3/9/09). This was Chad Gable’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making him the 1st wrestler since Ahmed Johnson in 1996 to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut challenging for the Intercontinental Championship. This was his 1st PPV match of 2024 & 1st match on PPV since he lost the SummerSlam Battle Royal at SummerSlam on August 5, 2023, his 3rd Singles Triple Threat Match in his Career & 1st since he lost to Bronson Reed along with Ricochet on Raw on October 9, 2023 giving him a Triple Threat Match Record of 0-3-0. If Chad Gable would have won, he would have been the 1st 1st-time Champion since GUNTHER, the 1st time there was 2 2-named wrestlers in a row since Shinsuke Nakamura & Sami Zayn in 2021 & 2022, the 13th former Smackdown Tag Team Champion to become Intercontinental Champion & 1st since Shinsuke Nakamura in 2021, the 34th former Raw Team Champion & the 2nd in a row to become Intercontinental Champion, the 3rd former NXT Tag Team Champion to become Intercontinental Champion after Luke Harper & Kofi Kingston & 1st since Kofi Kingston in 2023, & 2nd former Raw, Smackdown, & NXT Tag Team Champion to become Intercontinental Champion & 1st since Kofi Kingston in 2023. This was Bronson Reed’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making him the 1st wrestler since Ahmed Johnson in 1996 to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut challenging for the Intercontinental Championship. This was his 1st PPV since he lost the Royal Rumble on January 27, his 4th Singles Triple Threat Match in his Career & 1st since he defeated Chad Gable & Ricochet on Raw on October 9, 2023, giving him a Triple Threat Match Record of 2-2-0. If Bronson Reed would have won, he would have been the 1st-time Champion since GUNTHER, the 1st time there was 2 2-named wrestlers in a row since Shinsuke Nakamura & Sami Zayn in 2021 & 2022, the 2nd former NXT North American Champion to become Intercontinental Champion after Ricochet in 2022, 1st Australian Intercontinental Champion in History & the 1st time 3 foreign wrestlers held the Intercontinental Champions in a row since Test, Edge, & William Regal in 2001. Gable, Reed, & Zayn was the 1st wrestlers to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut in a Triple Threat Match in History. The Intercontinental Championship has changed hands once in 2024, with the last title change taking place at WrestleMania XL on April 6, when Zayn defeated GUNTHER. It has changed hands 185 times in History. It has changed hands once at King Of The Ring with the last title change taking place in 1996 when Ahmed Johnson defeated Goldust. The Intercontinental Championship has changed hands 7 times in a Triple Threat Match with the last title change take place at Clash of Champions when Sami Zayn defeated Jeff Hardy & AJ Styles on September 27, 2020. Titles have never changed hands in a Triple Threat Match at King Of The Ring.
LYRA VALKYRIA VS NIA JAX was the 1st Queen of The Ring Tournament Final to take place at a King of The Ring PPV, but 2nd Queen Of The Ring Tournament in History & 1st since Crown Jewel in 2022. This was the 1st Non-Title Women’s Match at the King Of The Ring PPV in History, the 4th Women's Match in King Of The Ring History, & the 1st time that there were 3 Women's Matches at King Of The Ring. This was Lyra Valkyria’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making her the 1st wrestler to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut in a Queen Of The Ring Tournament Match. This was the 1st time that she was in the Finals of the Queen Of The Ring Tournament in her Career, as this was her 1st Queen Of The Ring Tournament in her Career. This was her 1st PPV on the main roster in her Career. If Lyra Valkyria would have won, she would have been the 1st former NXT Women’s Champion to become Queen of The Ring. This was Nia Jax’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making her the 1st wrestler to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut in a Queen Of The Ring Tournament Match. This was the 1st time that she was in the Finals of the Queen Of The Ring Tournament in her Career, as this was her 1st Queen Of The Ring Tournament in her Career. This was her 1st PPV since Elimination Chamber on February 24. Since Nia Jax wins, she became the 1st former Women’s Champion to become Queen Of The Ring & the 2nd Women’s Tag Team Champion to become Queen of The Ring after Zelina Vega.
RANDY ORTON VS GUNTHER was the 12th King Of The Ring Tournament Final Match at King Of The Ring & 12th King Of The Ring event in a row to have a King Of The Ring Tournament, but 23rd King Of The Ring Tournament in History & 1st since Crown Jewel in 2022. This was Randy Orton’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making it the 6th event in a row someone made their King of The Ring PPV debut in a King Of The Ring Tournament Match & 3rd event in a row someone made their King Of The Ring PPV debut in the Finals of the King Of The Ring Tournament. This was the 1st time that he was in the Finals of the King Of The Ring Tournament in his Career as he lost in the 1st Round to Kurt Angle in 2006, therefore he has advanced farther in the King Of The Ring Tournament than his father, Bob Orton, who was eliminated in the 1st Round in 1985. This was his 5th PPV in a row in 2024, making him the only wrestler to wrestle on every PPV in 2024, & 1st 1-on-1 Match on PPV since he defeated Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 37 on April 11, 2021. If Randy Orton would have won, he would have been the only man in WWE History to win the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, Tag Team Championship, Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, Royal Rumble, Money In The Bank, & King Of The Ring. This was GUNTHER’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making it the 6th event in a row someone made their King of The Ring PPV debut in a King Of The Ring Tournament Match & 3rd event in a row someone made their King Of The Ring PPV debut in the Finals of the King Of The Ring Tournament. This was the 3rd event in a row that both participants was making their King Of The Ring PPV debut in the Finals. This was the 1st time that he was in the Finals of the King Of The Ring Tournament in his Career, as this was his 1st King Of The Ring Tournament in his Career. This was his 1st PPV since WrestleMania XL on April 6. If GUNTHER wins, GUNTHER would have been the 16th former Intercontinental Champion to become King Of The Ring & the 1st NXT UK Champion to become King Of The Ring.
CODY RHODES VS LOGAN PAUL was the 4th Undisputed WWE Championship Match of 2024, 1st since Backlash on May 4 & 4th PPV in a row in 2024. This was the 10th WWE or World Championship Match at King Of The Ring & 1st since 2002. This was Cody Rhodes’ 1st King of The Ring PPV, making him the 1st wrestler to make his King Of The Ring PPV debut as defending WWE Champion since Hulk Hogan in 1993. This was his 3rd PPV in a row in 2024. This was Cody Rhodes’ 2nd Undisputed WWE Championship Defense, so if he would have lost, he would have been the 1st since Brock Lesnar who lost to Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 35 on April 7, 2019 to lose the Universal Championship in his 2nd Defense & the 1st since The Miz who lost to Bobby Lashley on Raw on March 1, 2021 to lose the WWE Championship in his 2nd Defense. As of King of The Ring, Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship Reign has lasted 48 Days, so if he would have lost, he would have been the 1st to lose the Universal Championship in 48 Days, which is the 5th Shortest Reign of All-Time ahead of Goldberg’s 2nd Reign (2/27/20-4/4/20, 37 Days), Brock Lesnar’s 3rd Reign (7/14/19-8/11/19) & Goldberg’s 1st Reign (3/5/17-4/2/17, 28 Days), Bray Wyatt (8/23/20-8/30/20, 7 Days), & Finn Balor (8/21/16 – 8/22/16, 1 Day) & the 1st to lose the WWE Championship in 48 Days. This was Logan Paul’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV, making him the 1st celebrity to wrestle at King Of The Ring & the 1st since Kane in 1998 to make their King Of The Ring PPV debut challenging for the WWE Championship. If Logan Paul wins, he will be the 1st celebrity to become Undisputed WWE Champion in History, the 5th former United States Champion to be Universal Champion after Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns, & Seth Rollins, & the 21st former United States Champion to become WWE Champion, but 1st since Seth Rollins in 2015 to hold both Championships at the same time. This was the 1st Champion VS Champion Non-Title Match of 2024, on the main roster, & on PPV since WWE Champion Big E VS WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Survivor Series on November 21, 2021, the 1st between the WWE Champion & the United States Champion since Bobby Lashley VS Damian Priest on Raw on August 23, 2021, the 1st on PPV in WWE History, & the 3rd Champion VS Champion Match at King Of The Ring after WWE Champion Bret Hart VS Intercontinental Champion Diesel in 1994 & WWF Tag Team Champion Steve Austin VS WWF Tag Team Champion Shawn Michaels in 1997. This was the 7th time a WWE or World Championship Match was main eventing a King of The Ring PPV & the 1st time since The Undertaker VS Triple H in 2002. It was Cody Rhodes’ 1st King Of The Ring PPV main event & 3rd PPV in a row in 2024. This was Logan Paul’s 1st King Of The Ring PPV main event & his 1st PPV main event of 2024. The WWE Championship has changed hands once in 2024, with the last title change taking place at WrestleMania XL on April 7, 2024, when Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns. It has changed hands 146 times in WWE History. The Universal Championship changed hands once in 2024, with the last title change taking place at WrestleMania XL on April 7, 2024, when Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns. It has changed hands 15 times in WWE History. WWE, World, or Universal Championships have changed hands 3 times at King Of The Ring with the last title change taking place in 2000 when Kane, The Rock, & The Undertaker defeated Triple H & Shane & Vince McMahon in a 6-Man Tag Team Match, but it only changed twice in a 1-on-1 Match (Yokozuna defeated Hulk Hogan in 1993 & Kane defeated Steve Austin in 1998).
Ends an awesome King & Queen Of The Ring PPV. I loved all of the matches. I know not everyone watches the Saudi Arabian PPVs because they refuse to watch the shows from there. But they missed out on a great show. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Unfortunately, I didn't finish watching the Old KOTR PPVs, so stay tuned for Monday during #WWERAW, where I will post the Entire History of both the KOTR PPV & the KOTR Tournament along with my long-delayed Weekly Column for the last 8 weeks. Also on Monday, I will rank all of the KOTR PPVs including today.