The King of the Ring was a single-elimination style tournament held by World Wrestling Entertainment. From 1985-2002, the tournament was held annually. From 1993-2002, it was a pay-per-view event.
Winners (1985-1989, 1991)
Year | City | Venue | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | Foxborough, MA | Sullivan Stadium | Don Muraco |
1986 | Foxborough, MA | Sullivan Stadium | Harley Race |
1987 | Providence, RI | Providence Civic Center | Randy Savage |
1988 | Providence, RI | Providence Civic Center | Ted DiBiase |
1989 | Providence, RI | Providence Civic Center | Tito Santana |
1991 | Providence, RI | Providence Civic Center | Bret Hart |
Pay Per View Events (1993-2002)
From 1993-2002, King of the Ring was a pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. During it's time as a pay-per-view, it was considered one of the "big five," along with Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. The 1993 King of the Ring was the final appearance of Hulk Hogan on WWE programming until his return at No Way Out 2002 as Hollywood Hogan with the nWo. The 1996 King of the Ring saw beginning of the rise of Stone Cold Steve Austin, as he delivered his now famous Austin 3:16 line during his victory speech. The 1998 event saw a Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind. During the match, The Undertaker threw Mankind off the cell, and into the Spanish announce table. This caused announcer Jim Ross to shout the now famous line, "Good God almighty! Good God almighty! That killed him! As God as my witness, he is broken in half!". Although Mankind suffered a dislocated shoulder as a result of the fall, the match continued. This match has been noted as the defining Hell in a Cell match, as well as one of the best moments of the Attitude Era. The 2001 event was also when the Invasion storyline began to take off, as Diamond Dallas Page made is WWE in-ring debut against the Undertaker. Booker T also made his WWE debut at the event, interfering in the WWE Championship match.
Event | Date | City | Venue | Winner |
---|---|---|---|---|
King of the Ring (1993) | June 13, 1993 | Dayton, OH | Nutter Center | Bret Hart |
King of the Ring (1994) | June 19, 1994 | Baltimore, MD | Baltimore Arena | Owen Hart |
King of the Ring (1995) | June 25, 1995 | Philadelphia, PA | The Spectum | Mabel |
King of the Ring (1996) | June 23, 1996 | Milwaukee, WI | MECCA Arena | Steve Austin |
King of the Ring (1997) | June 8, 1997 | Providence, RI | Providence Civic Center | Hunter Hearst Helmsley |
King of the Ring (1998) | June 28, 1998 | Pittsburgh, PA | Pittsburgh Civic Arena | Ken Shamrock |
King of the Ring (1999) | June 27, 1999 | Greensboro, NC | Greensboro Coliseum | Billy Gunn |
King of the Ring (2000) | June 25, 2000 | Boston, MA | Fleet Center | Kurt Angle |
King of the Ring (2001) | June 24, 2001 | East Rutherford, NJ | Continental Airlines Arena | Edge |
King of the Ring (2002) | June 23, 2002 | Columbus, OH | Nationwide Arena | Brock Lesnar |
Winners (2006, 2008, 2010)
Date | City | Venue | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
May 21, 2006* | Phoenix, AZ | America West Arena | Booker T |
April 21, 2008 | Greenville, SC | BI-LO Center | William Regal |
November 29, 2010 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center | Sheamus |
*The finals of the 2006 King of the Ring Tournament were held at the 2006 Judgment Day pay-per-view.