Breaking: Doctor’s Report Surfaces Randy Orton Is Out Of Contention For King Of The Ring.
Since its inception in 1985, the King of the Ring tournament has crowned 22 winners. Nine of these victors ascended to win a world championship in WWE, while many others donned regal personas that delighted fans and infuriated foes.
As the semifinals of the 2024 edition approaches, the allure of this majestic event remains as captivating as ever, though its outcome seems like a foregone conclusion.
However, as the saying goes, things aren’t always as they appear. In this piece, we’ll delve into the final four competitors and their prospects of becoming the next WWE King of the Ring.
Gunther
Following a brief sabbatical after losing the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania, Gunther was the first to enter the King of the Ring tournament, aiming to springboard back into title contention.
With Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, still on Raw, The Ring General became a guaranteed lock to win the king’s crown and become Rhodes’ eventual challenger.
Since then, Rhodes has moved to SmackDown, thanks to the 2024 WWE Draft. Meanwhile, challengers are lining up for Damian Priest and his World Heavyweight Championship. Drew McIntyre is next in line, with CM Punk and Seth Rollins waiting to return from injuries.
With no immediate shot at the World title, it’s hard to imagine Gunther sitting idle on his thrown while others advance to challenge Priest. Though another loss for Gunther so soon after WrestleMania seems unlikely, his path to becoming WWE’s next king is now uncertain.
Jey Uso
Of the remaining stars in the tournament, no one needs a victory more than “Main Event” Jey Uso. Since breaking out as a singles star last summer, Uso has failed to win the Undisputed Universal Championship, the Intercontinental title, and, most recently, the World Heavyweight Championship.
Despite winning the 2021 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, he has yet to achieve true singles glory.
While the King of the Ring isn’t a traditional title, it’s an honor that would place Uso among legendary winners like Bret Hart, Steve Austin, and Triple H.
Defeating Tama Tonga in the finals could be a pivotal moment in the battle for control of The Bloodline and the Samoan wrestling dynasty and reaffirm Uso’s status as a legitimate headliner.
Randy Orton
At first glance, Randy Orton seems like the least in need of a King of the Ring victory. As a 14-time world champion and a surefire Hall of Famer, Orton is a made man. However, winning the crown would set up a highly anticipated match that fans have been hungering for: Orton against his former protégé Cody Rhodes, who has openly expressed his desire to face his former mentor.
Orton’s transformation from The Viper to King Cobra naturally sets him on a collision course with Rhodes, avoiding the need for either fan favorite to turn heel. Potential interference from The Bloodline in their anticipated match might deepen Orton’s storyline against the Samoan stable and lead to Rhodes battling Sikoa for the Undisputed WWE Championship later this year.
Tama Tonga
Tama Tonga is the primary henchman in Solo Sikoa’s version of The Bloodline. Given this role, it’s difficult to imagine Tonga overshadowing Sikoa as Sikoa vies to usurp Roman Reigns as his family’s Tribal Chief.