As announced on SmackDown.... *Spoilers*

[NeanderCarl]

... the King Of The Ring tournament is returning, according to reports. It's funny because literally last week I was thinking that they may bring back the KOTR due to it's reputation for getting mid-card guys over (in most cases). The majority of KOTR winners have gone on to great success in the WWE.

I'm guessing it will be limited to SmackDown, or maybe a Smackdown bracket and a Raw bracket, with an interpromotional final, maybe at a PPV. (I'm guessing there won't be a KOTR PPV anymore.)

Anyone else think this is a good idea? Or has the KOTR's usefulness been negated by the Money In The Bank match?

Or could the KOTR victory be for SmackDown what the MITB win has been for Edge and RVD?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I remember thinking about the tournament yesterday, and then I read later that day it would be returning.

The KOR Tournament definately has its uses. I'm not too sure about Randy Orton being in the tournament. They need to set sme guidelines on who can enter. I always thought the tournament would be more consistent if all entries had never won a World Title, or had won a World Title but had also won a King of the Ring Tournament previously. Maybe they can also admit former World Champions under 30 years old, just for Randy Orton.

I drew up fantasy brackets yesterday, and if Kurt Angle is in this tournament with guys like Paul London & Jamie Noble, this could really be a great move by the WWE. Assuming both brands have 16 participants, these are the brackets I'd like to see:

SmackDown!
-Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton
-Matt Hardy vs. The Road Warrior
-Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley
-Paul Burchill vs. Doug Basham
-Kid Kash vs. Paul London
-Jamie Noble vs. Brian Kendrick
-Chris Benoit vs. Booker T
-JBL vs. Gunner Scott

-Kurt Angle vs. Matt Hardy
-Bobby Lashley vs. Doug Basham
-Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick
-Chris Benoit vs. Gunner Scott

-Kurt Angle vs. Doug Basham
-Paul London vs. Chris Benoit

-Kurt Angle vs. Paul London (I can dream)

RAW
-Triple H vs. Edge
-Viscera vs. Val Venis
-Kenny vs. Nicky
-Mikey vs. Johnny
-Umaga vs. Ric Flair
-Shelton Benjamin vs. Chavo Guerrero
-Carlito vs. Chris Masters
-The Damaja vs. Rob Conway

-Triple H vs. Val Venis
-Kenny vs. Johnny
-Umaga vs. Chavo Guerrero
-Carlito vs. The Damaja

-Val Venis vs. Kenny
-Umaga vs. The Damaja

-Val Venis vs. The Damaja (I can still dream)

King of the Ring Final Match: Kurt Angle vs. Val Venis

The return of the King of the Ring Tournament also means the return of a solid mid-card, in my opinion.

[DaveWadding]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 I remember thinking about the tournament yesterday, and then I read later that day it would be returning. The KOR Tournament definately has its uses. I'm not too sure about Randy Orton being in the tournament. They need to set sme guidelines on who can enter. I always thought the tournament would be more consistent if all entries had never won a World Title, or had won a World Title but had also won a King of the Ring Tournament previously. Maybe they can also admit former World Champions under 30 years old, just for Randy Orton. I drew up fantasy brackets yesterday, and if Kurt Angle is in this tournament with guys like Paul London & Jamie Noble, this could really be a great move by the WWE. Assuming both brands have 16 participants, these are the brackets I'd like to see: SmackDown! -Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton -Matt Hardy vs. The Road Warrior -Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley -Paul Burchill vs. Doug Basham -Kid Kash vs. Paul London -Jamie Noble vs. Brian Kendrick -Chris Benoit vs. Booker T -JBL vs. Gunner Scott -Kurt Angle vs. Matt Hardy -Bobby Lashley vs. Doug Basham -Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick -Chris Benoit vs. Gunner Scott -Kurt Angle vs. Doug Basham -Paul London vs. Chris Benoit -Kurt Angle vs. Paul London (I can dream) RAW -Triple H vs. Edge -Viscera vs. Val Venis -Kenny vs. Nicky -Mikey vs. Johnny -Umaga vs. Ric Flair -Shelton Benjamin vs. Chavo Guerrero -Carlito vs. Chris Masters -The Damaja vs. Rob Conway -Triple H vs. Val Venis -Kenny vs. Johnny -Umaga vs. Chavo Guerrero -Carlito vs. The Damaja -Val Venis vs. Kenny -Umaga vs. The Damaja -Val Venis vs. The Damaja (I can still dream) King of the Ring Final Match: Kurt Angle vs. Val Venis The return of the King of the Ring Tournament also means the return of a solid mid-card, in my opinion.

Thanks for making my life easy.

[PureHatred]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 SmackDown! -Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton -Matt Hardy vs. The Road Warrior -Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley -Paul Burchill vs. Doug Basham -Kid Kash vs. Paul London -Jamie Noble vs. Brian Kendrick -Chris Benoit vs. Booker T -JBL vs. Gunner Scott -Kurt Angle vs. Matt Hardy -Bobby Lashley vs. Doug Basham -Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick -Chris Benoit vs. Gunner Scott -Kurt Angle vs. Doug Basham -Paul London vs. Chris Benoit -Kurt Angle vs. Paul London (I can dream) RAW -Triple H vs. Edge -Viscera vs. Val Venis -Kenny vs. Nicky -Mikey vs. Johnny -Umaga vs. Ric Flair -Shelton Benjamin vs. Chavo Guerrero -Carlito vs. Chris Masters -The Damaja vs. Rob Conway -Triple H vs. Val Venis -Kenny vs. Johnny -Umaga vs. Chavo Guerrero -Carlito vs. The Damaja -Val Venis vs. Kenny -Umaga vs. The Damaja -Val Venis vs. The Damaja (I can still dream) King of the Ring Final Match: Kurt Angle vs. Val Venis The return of the King of the Ring Tournament also means the return of a solid mid-card, in my opinion.

You always post enough solid possible storylines that I'm not going to mock you. This is obviously YOUR fantasy KOTR and really there's all kinds of problems here in regards to its relationship to ..um..reality.

[Skippord]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 I remember thinking about the tournament yesterday, and then I read later that day it would be returning. The KOR Tournament definately has its uses. I'm not too sure about Randy Orton being in the tournament. They need to set sme guidelines on who can enter. I always thought the tournament would be more consistent if all entries had never won a World Title, or had won a World Title but had also won a King of the Ring Tournament previously. Maybe they can also admit former World Champions under 30 years old, just for Randy Orton. I drew up fantasy brackets yesterday, and if Kurt Angle is in this tournament with guys like Paul London & Jamie Noble, this could really be a great move by the WWE. Assuming both brands have 16 participants, these are the brackets I'd like to see: SmackDown! -Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton -Matt Hardy vs. The Road Warrior -Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley -Paul Burchill vs. Doug Basham -Kid Kash vs. Paul London -Jamie Noble vs. Brian Kendrick -Chris Benoit vs. Booker T -JBL vs. Gunner Scott -Kurt Angle vs. Matt Hardy -Bobby Lashley vs. Doug Basham -Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick -Chris Benoit vs. Gunner Scott -Kurt Angle vs. Doug Basham -Paul London vs. Chris Benoit -Kurt Angle vs. Paul London (I can dream) RAW -Triple H vs. Edge -Viscera vs. Val Venis -Kenny vs. Nicky -Mikey vs. Johnny -Umaga vs. Ric Flair -Shelton Benjamin vs. Chavo Guerrero -Carlito vs. Chris Masters -The Damaja vs. Rob Conway -Triple H vs. Val Venis -Kenny vs. Johnny -Umaga vs. Chavo Guerrero -Carlito vs. The Damaja -Val Venis vs. Kenny -Umaga vs. The Damaja -Val Venis vs. The Damaja (I can still dream) King of the Ring Final Match: Kurt Angle vs. Val Venis The return of the King of the Ring Tournament also means the return of a solid mid-card, in my opinion.

I love you Alienoid in the most legal ungay way possible

[CNM]

Val Venis beating Triple H? Lay off the crack

[Londoner]

Alienoid, your love of Doug Basham and Val venis is getting boring.They're never going to go anywhere.

And back on topic,i always found the King Of The Ring boring and predictable, MITB is much better,but i understand the use of KOTR.I think it needs to come back.

[Loose Cannon]

lol who is Umaga and how did he make the semis?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon lol who is Umaga and how did he make the semis?

Umaga is the guy the WWE are going to put over Flair at Backlash. May as well put it in the tournament.

Holy shit, some of you claim the tournament is too predictable, and yet as soon as someone suggests something different you crap all over it. Pick a side and stick with it.

Venis is out of the tournament, as he is undergoing shoulder surgery. The only way I had him picked to beat Triple H is because The Game is going to be challenging for the WWE Title for a while, may as well have John Cena cost him the match to build to that.

This tournament would be the ideal place for the WWE to turn "DaveWadding's Idea of Jobbers" into legit mid-carders. Or is that DaveWadding's idea of a jobber?

By the way, I guarantee you, Doug Basham WILL be going somewhere in the WWE. His uncle is head trainer at OVW, and Basham is one of the better guys to ever come out of OVW. If the WWE has any sense, they'll at least give him a push into the mid-card. Hence the King of the Ring fucking Tournament.

TL, it's funny how you skipped over Danny Basham when you read through my brackets. Do you actually think Danny is going somewhere, or are you just unaware of his OVW gimmick and simply jumping on the "these guys had crappy gimmicks in their debut, so I'm going to shit all over them," bandwagon?

Look, you can have Triple H or Randy Orton as KOR Winner if you want, but I'm going to be hoping someone who can actually use the victory gets it.

[Marcyo]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 (...) and Basham is one of the better guys to ever come out of OVW. If the WWE has any sense, they'll at least (...)

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 By the way, I guarantee you, Doug Basham WILL be going somewhere in the WWE. His uncle is head trainer at OVW, and Basham is one of the better guys to ever come out of OVW. If the WWE has any sense, they'll at least give him a push into the mid-card. Hence the King of the Ring fucking Tournament. TL, it's funny how you skipped over Danny Basham when you read through my brackets. Do you actually think Danny is going somewhere, or are you just unaware of his OVW gimmick and simply jumping on the "these guys had crappy gimmicks in their debut, so I'm going to shit all over them," bandwagon? Look, you can have Triple H or Randy Orton as KOR Winner if you want, but I'm going to be hoping someone who can actually use the victory gets it.

As i've said before, i don't pay attention to OVW.I don't have access to it, so until he actually does something that interests me in WWE, i can't take your love for Doug Basham seriously.His tag team titles run bored the hell out of me which is partly why i don't care for him.Also, you had Val Venis going over HHH, you are mad for doing that.HHH would never EVER lose to Val Venis.

But ok i get it, its a fantasy tournament.Fair enough.Still would never happen though, i understand you're trying to be fairer to the guys further down the card,but that wouldn't make the WWE money.And btw i wouldn't have HHH win it either, thats ridiculous.It would make sense to have Orton win though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by TL Also, you had Val Venis going over HHH, you are mad for doing that.HHH would never EVER lose to Val Venis.

It's kind of trivial, but Triple H did lose to Val Venis, on RAW a few months back. It was by DQ, though, so even thought it technically qualifies as a win, you wouldn't count it as such.

[UmbrellaCorporation]

Wasn't Umaga that Cuban 3 minute warning guy from last night?

I didn't catch his name.

[PureHatred]

Originally Posted by UmbrellaCorporation Wasn't Umaga that Cuban 3 minute warning guy from last night? I didn't catch his name.

Yeah, although he's not actually Cuban. That guy who looked like Lou Bega was/is supposed to be Cuban.

[Jaton]

Wow, Alienoid. Give up on London, Venis, and Basham. They're good wrestlers, but they're not going to go anywhere.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Jaton Wow, Alienoid. Give up on London, Venis, and Basham. They're good wrestlers, but they're not going to go anywhere.

I have a feeling with all this drug testing shit going on, the WWE will start using their talented guys more. Or at least take small windows of opportunities to see if they have what it takes to make it into the mid-card.

London is currently higher than the Tag Team Champions, Venis is undergoing shoulder surgery (I have a feeling the WWE is going to use this to refresh him when it comes time for his return) and Doug Basham is training the developmental wrestlers. A push for any guy, even if it is only a small one, is entirely probable.

Hey, JBL won the WWE Title the same year he was the first guy thrown out of the Royal Rumble. For three guys, arguably more talented than JBL, a push into the mid-card (you know, that space between main eventer and Velocity main eventer the WWE used to have) is not too hard to fathom.

[PureHatred]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 I have a feeling with all this drug testing shit going on, the WWE will start using their talented guys more. Or at least take small windows of opportunities to see if they have what it takes to make it into the mid-card. London is currently higher than the Tag Team Champions, Venis is undergoing shoulder surgery (I have a feeling the WWE is going to use this to refresh him when it comes time for his return) and Doug Basham is training the developmental wrestlers. A push for any guy, even if it is only a small one, is entirely probable. Hey, JBL won the WWE Title the same year he was the first guy thrown out of the Royal Rumble. For three guys, arguably more talented than JBL, a push into the mid-card (you know, that space between main eventer and Velocity main eventer the WWE used to have) is not too hard to fathom.

You're right. It's not entirely impossible. but for all three to receive a push simultaneously? Over guys who the WWE have been trying to get over forever like Orton, Shelton, or Master? C'mon..I could see maybe one of them pulling a George Mason and sneaking into the final four of a KOTR tourney..but all three?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by PureHatred You're right. It's not entirely impossible. but for all three to receive a push simultaneously? Over guys who the WWE have been trying to get over forever like Orton, Shelton, or Master? C'mon..I could see maybe one of them pulling a George Mason and sneaking into the final four of a KOTR tourney..but all three?

LOL, to be honest I never noticed that they were all in the main event. Well, there's not way Val Venis will ever get a shot now, because he's out with injury.

I just think the KOR is the most likely event where the WWE will push their "who?" stars to the front a bit more. I mean, if the event is interpromotional, they can have two World Title matches on the card, which means you can use the tournament as a experiment.

All three receiving a push at the same time does seem illogical, even for my tastes.

[Bo]

If not a PPV I guess they could do the final or finals on Saturday Night Main Event.

[Fox]

I've always been against the KOTR tournament, mostly because it makes for one hell of a boring PPV. I prefer built up matches with storylines behind them to an athletic tournament in a predetermined environment. KOTR is almost always very, very easy to predict.

And I disagree that KOTR can shoot you to megastardom. Look at the winners:

1993: Bret Hart (had already won WWF Title prior to this event)

1994: Owen Hart (saddled as a career midcarder)

1995: Mabel (Big Vis, anyone?)

1996: Steve Austin (KOTR certainly helped his career, mostly because of the "Austin 316 says I just whipped your ass" quote during his victory speech)

1997: Triple H (gave him some recognition, but his success can be much more attributed to his alliance with Shawn Michaels, Chyna and Rick Rude later that year)

1998: Ken Shamrock (gave him a strong shot of popularity, led to a few IC Title runs, but ultimately did not propel him into the main event)

1999: "Mr Ass" Billy Gunn (Led to a #1 contender's match against The Rock a month later, but he rejoined The Road Dogg as the NAO soon after his KOTR victory, and never prospered from it.)

2000: Kurt Angle (probably the wrestler to accomplish the most in his rookie year, Angle's KOTR victory was just another notch in his belt in 2000. Angle was going places with or without KOTR.)

2001: Edge (won KOTR, mostly as a swerve since most people thought Kurt Angle was going to win, but subsequently did very little with his victory. It wasn't until he turned heel with Lita in 2005 that Edge got his main event push. Most people forget Edge was a KOTR winner.)

2002: Brock Lesnar (like Angle, this was just another notch in his belt during a very successful rookie year. Lesnar was going places with or without KOTR.)



If they do decide to bring back King of the Ring, they need to give the nod to someone who both needs and deserves it, and they need to make it mean something afterwards. Someone like Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, or even Ken Doane of the Spirit Squad could do well after a KOTR victory.

[domononizuka]

Id rather see Gunner Scott take it.Brents been busting his ass in OVW long enough,so WWE should give him some sort of recognition.

[NeanderCarl]

Who is Gunner Scott? I know he wrestled on SmackDown this week, but I've never heard of him.

[domononizuka]

Hes Brent Albright from OVW.

[NeanderCarl]

Ah right. Any relation to Gary Albright? Or is Gunner Scott his real name?

[domononizuka]

Originally Posted by NeanderCarl Ah right. Any relation to Gary Albright? Or is Gunner Scott his real name?

Theres no relation between the 2.Gunner isnt his real name,he had to come up with a new ring name for the WWE.

[redoneja]

I don't think KOTR is going to be a PPV. I think its just going to be the name of a tournament that will be held on subsquent Smackdowns until a winner is decided and goes on to face Mysterio at Judgement Day, or the finals will be at Judgement Day. My only reasoning for this is that Judgement Day has already been advertised, and Smackdown won't have another brand specific PPV till July and I doubt they drag this out that long.

KENNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lord-Of-Darkness]

Originally Posted by L L Cool G KENNNNNNNAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by Lord-Of-Darkness

...Kennedy.

[KingofOldSchool]

Lashley or Ken Kennedy will win it.

Or maybe this will be to help push Dalipiece of Crap.

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by KingofOldSchool Lashley or Ken Kennedy will win it. Or maybe this will be to help push Dalipiece of Crap.

Got a feeling Orton will win it.It's too soon for Lashley/kennedy,but the timing is just right for Orton.

[The Naitch]

the winner of the King of The Ring should get a title shot at SummerSlam

bad or good?

[Pepsi Man]

Useless right now. It's so random. "Here, it's the King of the Ring tournament". There's no event, it's randomly in April, right after WrestleMania, and it's not even a one night only tournament. What differentiates it from say the Raw Gold Rush last year, or the tournament to crown a Number One Contender for the WWE Title at WrestleMania?

[Pinnacle Charisma]

I think Lashley will win it.

But I hope Burchill will go the distance.

I also have that sinking feeling that this is just another standard tourny for the title which would be a shame

[The Heat]

I'd like to see Matt Hardy win, but, that's about as likely as Funaki winning it......

[Mr. Nerfect]

So seven guys have been announced so far:

1. Kurt Angle
2. Randy Orton
3. Booker T
4. Chris Benoit
5. Bobby Lashley
6. Finlay
7. Matt Hardy

I have a feeling Hardy will face The Road Warrior, which leaves us with an eight man tournament already to go. Hopefully they get RAW involved so it means something. I would also have one match per week. Drag this out as long as possible.

Next week, Kurt Angle defeats Randy Orton via submission despite interference from Booker T, who Orton contacts earlier to cash in that favour from earlier this year (as if the WWE would remember, I know).

Gunner Scott helps Chris Benoit defeat Booker T. This gives us Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit in the semi-finals.

Bobby Lashley defeats Finlay to advance. Matt Hardy joins him in the semi-finals after defeating Road Warrior.

Chris Benoit defeats Kurt Angle when Gunner Scott again gets involved. Benoit is starting to feel dirty for getting all this help from Scott. He tells Scott to stay out of the finals. Matt Hardy defeats Bobby Lashley when Shannon Moore re-joins Hardy, costing Lashley the match.

Our final is a pretty interesting Chris Benoit vs. Matt Hardy match. Shannon Moore tries to cheat for Matt Hardy, but Gunner Scott runs out and helps Benoit. The Rabid Wolverine gets the submission from Matt Hardy and wins the tournament 12 years after his mentor did. Benoit celebrates his victory, but Gunner Scott smashes the trophy over Benoit's neck and claims he isn't going to wait 12 years before he follows in his mentor's steps. Gunner Scott says that if Benoit is really "King of the Ring" he will defend his crown against Benoit when the next time SmackDown! is on PPV. You get seven weeks out of the KOR Tournament if you do it this way. I'm too lazy to check when JD is, but you sould be able to get the finals on there. The winner of Benoit vs. Scott can get a title shot against Rey Mysterio at Summerslam.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This tournament would be so much better if it was sixteen men from each brand, with the tournament coming to a close with a huge interpromoional match, winner gets a title shot of their choice at Summerslam.

[Londoner]

Does anyone else feel this will be the worst king of the ring ever?Just based on the fact that it isn't on PPV, as far as we know.KOTR better be on a PPV.

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by TL Does anyone else feel this will be the worst king of the ring ever?Just based on the fact that it isn't on PPV, as far as we know.KOTR better be on a PPV.

Yeah, if it's not a PPV, it's really just another tournie.

[Londoner]

Also i hope we see a Angle V Benoit classic out of this, which would mean Orton would have to lose, but i can live with that.