King of the Ring: Who's Next?

[The Extract]

In 1985, WWE announced the King of the Ring tournament. The tourney was an instant succsess, and went on to hold so much prestiege. The tourney was pretty much a yearly tournament with the competition not taking place in 1990 and 1992 in the 17 year start.

In 2006, Booker T won the King of the Ring title. 2008 came around and William Regal got it. Then, two years later, Sheamus won.

If I am correct that they are doing it every two years, then a new KotR will be announced. Now my question is, Who should that be?

If the Miz isn't back in time to compete in the Raw MitB ladder match(which I think he should win if he is in it), then he should be the one to be elevated by it. The Miz is currently a jobber, which I hate. Miz is the best besides John L. at getting heat. And I think that this could give him an extra push to become the leader of a dominant stable to help him win the WWE Championship again.

 

[Paria]

I think that it should be the Miz...for whatever reason reason he has been used as a jobber, I know there were a couple injuries that were blamed on him, but "C'mon Man", everyone makes mistakes. This is not a new thing...Unfortunately the WWE is filled with wusses these days, so everyone cries and needs 18 months off to rehab(and collect that workmans comp check) rather than fight through a bruised rib...arm...leg or whatever they get a bruise on. Hell, when I was a kid I was a walking bruise with a few white patches of skin. I was never a huge Miz fan...that is until he was out of the picture, now I miss the hell out of him.

 

[Radio GaGa]

The Miz would be an obvious choice. They should pull a Sheamus with him when he gets beck. KOTR, long upper mid card feud, loosing streak, face turn. period.

If they don't want to give it to the Miz, what about Dean Ambrose? I'd like it if they did a KOTR concept of matches being on RAW and SD every week instead of a 3 hour RAW with all the matches. It gives a chance for more people to participate and a chance to build up Dean Ambrose more before winning the title. Or, if he's not ready for it yet, he could just get very very far in the competition (that would end in a PPV or a RAW special, but would have a span of a month or two.) And get beaten by Bryan in the end. Bryan would make a great KOTR if they don't give him the WWE title and it would elevate him to a full time main event spot, not just a throne that he can be pushed out of like he is right now. He wouldn't be second fiddle to punk, they'd be standing side by side.

 

[WRESTLING_GENIUS]

Wade Barrett is my answer since he is not going to be back in time for the MITB he canbe a perfect KOTR getting managed by another former King William Regal and eventually win the WWE Championship or World Championship and start a stable with nothing but Eurpean heels like Drew McIntyre, and Mason Ryan... He can also be a perfect viable foe for Sheamus around Wrestlemania Time next year as i think the KOTR wont happen til Survivor Series ish..... But Wade Barrett is my choice......

 

[crippler]

1st I don't think there is going to be a King of the Ring but if there was it was used to start a star to get a major push and the winner was never a WWE champion. Guys like Bret Hart, Stone Cold, Brock Lesnar Triple H and Edge won it before their 1st WWE championship runs. With that being said I would say Wade Barrett what else would get this guy back to whee he was before he got injured and feud with either the WWE or WHC. If not Barrett then if they are serious about building him then would be best to have Ryback win it and show some dominance over WWE stars instead of the jobbers.

 

[RicSpade]

Here is the thing a good portion of KOTR winners have gone on to win the world title the exceptions are obviously Hacksaw Duggan, Viscera, Billy Gunn, Owen Hart, and William Regal. Guys like Kurt Angle, Bret Hart, Sheamus, Stone Cold, Triple H, and Booker T. were pushed after the king of the ring to main event status or to win a title. The question is if they were to bring KOTR would it be to help push a main eventer or build a main eventer. I'd rather see new blood get it personally a Damien Sandow or someone else in mid card level. the only worry I have is remember when Regal won it, he was going to be pushed to the main event only to violate wellness policy and then was doomed to NXT and was never pushed again. I fear WWE will rather keep KOTR to an already established guy just because they don't want a brock lesnar fiasco or push a guy who is not yet reliable, so will see

 

[scomvp316]

Before I get into my take lets talk about the biggest problem I have with the WWE philosophy of how to make a star. Apparently VKM still doesn't understand the mindset of the fans. The same oh crap with building up a heel,then losing all momentum and becoming a jobber, and then turning face. The problem with that is fans won't invest in that talent cause its not believable that a guy loses all of the time for six months and then just miraculously turns it around. VKM still thinks only faces can draw and learned nothing from the MNW and the trends in entertainment. It worked in the 80's but that era of wrestling died along time ago. Don't get me wrong I like WWE and have been a fan for a while but a monster heel drives more in sales than a super face and history has proven that. Thats one reason why fans can't believe in Sheamus and all of Miz's and Ziggler's momentum is gone.

The guy to win the KOTR should be Ziggler. Some may say his mic work isn't great but thats creative fault. Must find storylines that Zigg feels comfortable based oof of his actual personality. HBK wasn't great on the mic until certain emotional storylines!

 

[Ol'Canucklehead]

Guys like Bret Hart, Stone Cold, Brock Lesnar Triple H and Edge won it before their 1st WWE championship runs.

Bret actually won it after his first championship run and it was awarded to him like a consolation prize after losing the title to Hogan in such a shitty way.

When thinking who would be a good KOTR I like wrestlers who would make good kings to augment their persona. My choice would be Cody Rhodes. He would pull it off and it might just be what he needs to take it to the next level.

My second choice would be Dolph Ziggler for the same reasons. He would make a good king.

 

[WRESTLING_GENIUS]

Bret actually won it after his first championship run and it was awarded to him like a consolation prize after losing the title to Hogan in such a shitty way.

When thinking who would be a good KOTR I like wrestlers who would make good kings to augment their persona. My choice would be Cody Rhodes. He would pull it off and it might just be what he needs to take it to the next level.

My second choice would be Dolph Ziggler for the same reasons. He would make a good king.

Actually Bret won the KOTR in 1991 before he won his first WWF Championship and is the only two time KOTR in history just had to say that.....

 

[mrpops]

KOTR usually features the top 8 mid carders who havnt won a world title yet. So i guess the final list would be something like....

Kofi
R truth
Santino
Brodus clay
Cody rhodes
Heath Slater
Ryback
Zack Ryder

I would have Ryback winning as he has the look and is a decent wrestler...so far. Not sure yet as he has only done squashes.

Cody rhodes would be another good choice as he will be main eventing one day soon.

Heath Slater for an upset victory and massive push. WWE seems to be pushing him so this would help.

The rest should all lose.

I wanted to add dolph, miz, del rio, swagger as they are better but the problem is they have all won world titles and i firmly believe KOTR should be a midcarder only event for that eventual world title.

 

[Jatkuva]

Tyson Kidd should be the next KOTR. Hes got the in-ring ability to back it up, rumors are they are pushing him and this would get him over pretty fast, here's the catchphrase "The Kidd is King" but that on a shirt and people would by it.

Or have Dean Ambrose debut in the KOTR tournement and win.

 

[jerry20xx]

Santino Marella! I think this would be great for him, he is someone that deserves this title "King of the Ring". He has been doing good with his character. He has shown that he can go with the main event guys. WWE officials are currently very impressed with his current work, thus the US Champion push.

But these questions are in my head. "Should Santino drop the title and then become KOTR?", "Should he win the KOTF as the US Champion and drop the title?", or "Should he win KOTF as the US Champion and stay champion?

I think the latter is most interesting, considering KOTR winners are pushed into the main event/main championship matches. A WWE/WHW Champion vs US Champion match would be neat. But that's my opinion.

 

[SharpShooter083]

I would have to say I'd like to see either Dolph Ziggler or Cody Rhodes win the KOTR. I think both could really play up the king role very well and add a little something extra to their personas. If not those two then I think someone like a Kofi Kingston should take it. He's a great in ring talent and could use the boost to his career.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

I would love to see Santino. A lot of people, especially the IWC, think that wrestling needs to be serious business all the time. Santino is over and Santino is fun. Santino isn't a talentless jobber. He's booked like a goofy guy who is both really talented and really lucky (or really unlucky comedically).

Him lucking into a KOTR win would be pretty cool. I can see the crowd being real into it because he's so over and so damn likeable.

 

[Just2Sweet]

I have to say that the most entertaining KoR would be Ryback. He is being built as a dominant guy right now and KoR would be a great step for him. He shouldn't adopt the "king" gimmick but let him take that Stone Cold ass kicker role and let him rise. He isn't going to get anywhere with his current Goldberg role so give him the whole "I don't give a F"ck" role and let him run with it

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

I have to say that the most entertaining KoR would be Ryback. He is being built as a dominant guy right now and KoR would be a great step for him. He shouldn't adopt the "king" gimmick but let him take that Stone Cold ass kicker role and let him rise. He isn't going to get anywhere with his current Goldberg role so give him the whole "I don't give a F"ck" role and let him run with it

Or have him demolish everyone and have Santino upset him. Only for him to go bezerk and kill Santino. You have a great moment, plus you have character motivation and depth added to Ryback other than "GRRR".

 

[daddyJ_t]

first off all the kotr tourney sucks now because its done over several weeks. take some up and comers and recent jobbed down stars like drew or miz and mix then in. either bring it back to ppv status or make it a whole episode or a 3 hour raw and bam lets say drew. he beats santino round 1, then later in the night beats tyson kidd, then towards the end of raw. him and once again jus a random name. faces the miz in the finals. lets say drew wins the whole thing. during his corination, he goes ape shit and pulls a cm punk and drops a bomb and says that the kotr is a joke and he only won that as a conselation prize for all the bad gimmicks hes had to go through. from now on hes doing things his way and maybe starts a stable. i know off subject, but i kinda like drew therefore fullfilling the requirement of the thread and saying get rid of the kotr unless its brought back to its one night full tournament form from beginning to end in the same night

 

[taylor360unc]

Wade Barrett could go for the whole British evil King of the Ring, The Miz could use it for obvious reasons(maybe to get him over as a face), Daimen Sandow would work wonders on the mic ruling the "lesser" people; if King of the Ring.

 

[Jonyboyuk2]

I think WWE should have Dolph V Miz KOTR final -not sure who should win but build it strongly and have the final at SS. Have it so that there is 32 superstars, 16 first round matches. Hold the quarter finals after money in the bank and then the have the two semi final matches and final at SS.

I know it is too late for this now but it can be done like that in the future. The longer the build up - the better. If they ever bring back a KOTR PPV- id suggest they have all 7 quater, semi and final matches on the card - it makes the winner look stronger than a cheap ass victory on raw.

I'd go with Dolph because he is, in the fans minds, the next breakout star. I'd go with Miz in the final too -cos he needs repairing after his awful booking since he won the WWE title.

 

[#1Dobz92]

For a push, it sounds like something Wade Barrett would excel in. I would say a guy like Cody Rhodes would be good with it too but hopefully he's too busy carrying around a briefcase or a big gold belt for that to be a worry.

Barrett to me has the traits of that tyrannical monarch. And him being King of the Ring would probably allow him to stand out with such a gimmick. That way, when it is time for him to main event he can drop the more extreme parts of his gimmick but maintain the character needed to stand out.

 

[Ol'Canucklehead]

Actually Bret won the KOTR in 1991 before he won his first WWF Championship and is the only two time KOTR in history just had to say that.....

In my defense I don't think it ever aired on any kind of television and in the time tested tradition of the WWE, if it didn't happen on tv then it didn't happen? lol I could be wrong but I don't remember them ever mentioning it. My bad though.

I would also like to add, like others have said, Damian Sandow. I'm loving his character and I'm a firm believer that he will be a champion before any of the other undefeated wrestlers. He would knock being royal out of the park.

 

[Strife543]

Here is an idea in the finals of the KOTR R-truth vs Kofi. Let Kofi win then start beating down on R-truth and hit his finisher multiple times on truth then Prince Nana comes out and puts the crown on Kofi's head proclaiming that Kofi is the crowned Jewel of the embassy and this Tag team stuff with R-truth was just a way to help the embassy get richer and the KOTR will help Kofi and Nana get rich

 

[Cereal Killer]

Voted other. That "other" IMO is Dolph Ziggler.

He has the potential and out of the younger talent, he has it in him. Many say Flair could be his manager. Flair could push him to that crown. Ziggler looks like one of those cocky blonds any way like Flair and Buddy Rodgers. I think A KOTR would make him fit into that legacy.

Word is, Rhodes and Ziggler are getting major push. It's not that creative if both get a push the same way. Ziggler should win the KOTR while Rhodes could win the MITB or get a normal push like a no1 contenders match.

KOTR is a perfect way to push Ziggler. The Miz in my eyes already had is chance. They could give him another but they shouldn't put him over Ziggler.

P.S Ric Flair already has a reputatuion for his managing skills (AJ Styles, HHH, Sting etc.)

 

[LeviCook]

I disagree with a lot of the thinking behind the King of The Ring. I don't believe it's to build stars. I believe it's for already established stars to either reestablish or add another accomplishment under their belt. Right now my pick would have to be Daniel Bryan. He has had a great year and i think he is the most deserving. Puts on consistent good matches, Above average promos, Over with the crowd, etc. I think having him win the King of The Ring could help establish him as a believable main eventer. My second pick would have to be Dolph Ziggler. Obviously this would help push him into the main event level that almost everyone wants to see at. It would be a great way for him to display his in ring skills as well as cut some promos before and after matches. I'm more of a fan of the old school King of The Ring. Where they had all the matches in one night. I think that kind of style would help Dolph shine. Have good matches all through the night with a few big spots. Allows him to say he is the best and that he proved it. I think that would do wonders. Although i also wouldn't want Vickie in on this. Having her there would ruin it for me at least. Just him go out there and steal the show, no help from anyone.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I went with someone else on the roster that's not listed among the choices. If I had to pick someone who has a legit shot, off the top of my head, I'd probably go with Daniel Bryan at this time. Bryan is someone that's been on a roll since this past December. The WWE has gotten behind him and with good reason as he's done a great job and has made the most of of the chances he's been given.

I agree with the OP in that it seems that the KOTR seems to come around every two years, so we're due this year. With Raw going to three hours for the forseeable future, it'll be convenient to have the tourney. Personally, since Raw will be three hours for the rest of the year at least, I'm assuming, after 7/23, I'd like to see two episodes of the show devoted to the KOTR tournament. I think it'd give it something of a special feel and you could ultimately make the tournament matches longer.

The thing about KOTR is that, for the most part, the winners are guys that look to have bright futures in WWE. They also, again for the most part, seem to be guys who've accomplished a good amount already. In 2006, Booker T won the tourney and was already a multiple time World Champion & Tag Team Champion in WCW. William Regal was a solid mid-card presence in both WCW & WWE. He had four runs as WCW World Television Champion, several runs with the IC & tag titles, a few runs with the European Championship as well I think. Sheamus was already a two time WWE Champion by the time he won. In the grand scheme of things, it could be just about anybody.

I could see the likes of Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, Miz, Kofi Kingston and a few others having legit shots at being KOTR. I could see Cena being put into the tourney, possibly even winning it, as it's one of the few things he's never done. I could see Punk winning and further elevating him with some more bragging rights. I could see Wade Barrett winning it as part of the big push he's supposedly getting upon his return to WWE.