BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY
(June 8th 1997) In a show that was headlined by Undertaker vs. Faarooq, it was Triple H who shined the most. At the time he wasn’t the big Thor-looking nice guy monster. Back then he was a distinguished type. He was diplomat who bowed and was the biggest of snobs. The year before this one, WWF lucked out and had what would become one of the biggest superstars of all time win. They did it again in 1997. Triple H won the King of the Ring after beating a recently face turned Mankind in the finals. What would come after this was a great feud between Foley and Triple H that really did wonders for both of their careers.
(THREE) WILLIAM REGAL
(April 21st 2008) In the spring of 2008, we were lucky to witness one of the best pushes in recent WWE memory. William Regal was at his peak. He was easily the top heel in the company and rightfully so. He was one of the most dickish GMs of all time and at the same time he took over the crown of King of the Ring after beating Hornswoggle, Finlay, and CM Punk in one night. Surely he cheated, but the idea of William Regal with a crown and cape make as much sense as anything else in wrestling.
(TWO) OWEN HART
(June 19th 1994) Owen Hart never won the World Title. Hell, he never even won a Royal Rumble. His Intercontential Title and Tag Title stuff was great and his matches with Bret were always fun. He was just a very solid hand and I’m confident that within two years of his tragic death he would of won the big one. His biggest accomplishment was winning the 1994 King of The Ring. His brother won it the two prior time to this, but Owen represented the thrown and honor better than any other man to do so. The King of the Ring victory became part of him. The name “King of Harts” rocked and Owen owned his King status. Booker T came close, but Owen just did it that much better.
(ONE) STEVE AUSTIN
(June 23rd 1996) In terms of career making victories, this one takes the cake. Most folks will say it was when Hogan slammed Andre that “Hulkamania” began but it’s often debated. One historic moment that can be pin pointed to the date and time of shaking pro wrestling by its foundation was when Steve Austin defeated Jake Roberts in the finals of the 1996 King of the Ring. As Steve Austin stood at the podium “Doc Hendrix” had a mic to his face. Austin, in mockery of Jake Robert’s newfound “reborn” character, let loose with the words “You can have your John 3:16’s, but Austin 3:16 says I Just Whooped Your Ass!”. Boom. Explosion. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is born. Austin 3:16 becomes the most successful trademark in WWF history. This moment defined an entire era of professional wrestling. There’s been other great Kings, but this one is what they’re talking about when hyping the tournament as a “career making event”.
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