The Return Of The King - A PPV?

[Jack-Hammer]

There's a story at wrestlinginc.com reporting that WWE filed two trademark applications last week for King of the Ring. One of the trademarks is said to be for "a show about professional wrestling" while the other is for "computer software, namely, software for the creation of mobile internet applications and client interfaces." The brief report concludes that it "appears" that WWE is going to bring back KOTR next year as a branded ppv for either Raw or SmackDown and possibly as some sort of feature for the WWE App.

I'm extremely iffy about this thing because it's been disastrous for the wrestlers who've won it the past few times. The concept returning as a ppv suggests that it might be taken and treated more seriously, which is a good step forward, but the concept itself needs a significant facelift. After all, the "King" gimmick of wearing some sort of fake crown with a fur lined cape that's built around old British sterotypes regarding royalty is outdated and flat out corny. It also didn't exactly do much for the careers of Wade Barrett and Sheamus.

 

[Baldy42179]

I would be all for a King of the Ring if they went back to the original PPV format of multiple matches in one night. I think that led credibility to the winner. I think the last couple of times when they tried to do it and spread it over a month it took away some of the luster.

 

[BestSportsEntertainer]

For this to be a good idea, a few things need to happen. It needs to be on one brand. Not to take away from the tournament, but inter-promotional stuff shouldn't be 'wasted' on this. That should be reserved for bigger events such as SummerSlam and WrestleMania and the main eventers such as Cena, Lesnar, and Orton.

More importantly, the winner must gain something from this. Remember what winning this did for Wade Barrett's career? I don't either. Thid has the same problem as the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. The winner needs to gain something besides a trophy or some ridiculous crown or cape. Perhaps a WWE Championship match.

 

[OYDK]

If they do end up bringing back the KOTR PPV, they should make it so the winner receives a shot at either the WWE, or Universal, Heavyweight Championship. I never understood why the KOTR was purely a hollow reward. Shouldn't the man who ends up winning a tournament that usually includes top tier wrestlers get a shot at the top prize in the company?

The KOTR, like the IC title, used to be a way to determine and build the next main event talent in the WWE, but in it's dying years it has basically become a joke. The winners put on a stupid cape and crown, and the WWE expects them to get over. It's silly. I have no faith in the current Creative team to give this PPV any sort of real meaning so I'm partially against bringing it back. I see it as being a different version of the ATGBR, another gimmick match that has proven to do nothing for its winner.

Also, if they do end up bringing the tournament back, it should be a dual branded PPV. It would be pretty dumb to dub somebody the "King of the Ring" when half the roster doesn't have a chance to compete. Basically, treat it like they do the Royal Rumble and it will work.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I don't understand why this hasn't become a proper part of WWE programming since the Network. It should be duel brand but with Smackdown and Raw guys only being able to meet in the final.

 

[Leeds Guy]

KOTR is an excellent concept IF they go back to the what they had where the winner of the KOTR event went into the Main event for the championship at the next PPV (which was Summerslam). Now I'm not saying put it back before Summerslam but if it makes an appearance later in the year and the next PPV is something like Fastlane then I think it's a great idea. They need to have some originality to it though.

They need to push the midcarders with this, people who are ready to make the next step, people like Owens, Cesaro Etc but also keep the main event talent interested and taking part in the event. Everyone but the champion and his challenger should want to win the KOTR event. The winner should be someone who's ready to break out and not someone who's already there like Roman and Rollins.

 

[Azane]

KOTR needs to be more than just a name, if they want it to succeed, they need the person who wins to actually get pushed.

The problem with the last few, was that they crowned a winner, then did nothing with it, besides make them King Booker for a couple months until we forgot who won it.

The idea of having 1 side be RAW and 1 side be Smackdown, and the final being inter-brand makes it a big deal, if they stick with the idea of having the brands separated, they should only face eachother in big name events like KOTR or Survivor Series.

 

[Checkmate9113]

I don't understand why this hasn't become a proper part of WWE programming since the Network. It should be duel brand but with Smackdown and Raw guys only being able to meet in the final.

I'm with you. Put 8 from Raw and 8 from SD! Live in it. I'm going off of Seth beating Balor and Dean beating Dolph.
Raw
Finn Balor, Big Cass, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Cesaro and Roman Reigns
SD! Live
AJ Styles, John Cena, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, The Miz, Apollo Crews, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper.

Winner gets a shot at their respective brands World Title.

 

[King Patrick Star]

The King Of The Ring tournament was one of my favorite events in the WWE. If the WWE were to bring it back, they should make it as prestigious as possible. The only way I believe they can accomplish this is by making it a Champion Of Champions tournament. Here’s how I would do it.

Quarter-Finals

Match 1
WWE Universal Champion vs. WWE (Raw) Tag Team Champion

Match 2
WWE United States Champion vs. WWE (Raw) Tag Team Champion

Match3
WWE World Champion vs. WWE (Smackdown) Tag Team Champion

Match 4
WWE Intercontinental Champion vs. WWE (Smackdown) Tag Team Champion

Semi-Finals

Match5
Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner

Match6
Match 3 winner vs. Match 4 winner

Finals

Match 7
Match 5 winner vs. Match 6 winner

Not only will the winner of the Tournament become the King Of The Ring, but will also be portrayed as the Champion Of Champions, which should be a nice wave to ride for at least a full year. Now that’s a push!!