The WWE King of the Ring is a men's pro wrestling tournament held periodically by World Wrestling Entertainment.
The tournament was established on July 8, 1985, and the first edition was won by Don Muraco , while the last edition took place on May 25, 2024 and was won by Gunther / WALTER .
The winner of this tournament is crowned the "King of the Ring." Some wrestlers have incorporated this into their personas, adopting king's attire and developing a regal character. On two occasions, the tournament offered additional rewards: a world championship match (in 2002 and 2024). Notably, the tournament launched the career of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who won in 1996, marking his rise to stardom.
The tournament was created when the promotion was known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which became WWE in 2002. It was held annually from 1985 to 2002 (except for 1990 and 1992). Early tournaments (1985-1989 and 1991) were non-televised house shows. Starting in 1993, the event became a pay-per-view (PPV), airing annually in June until its final PPV in 2002. These PPVs featured the last few matches of the tournament and other non-tournament matches.
After a four-year break, the tournament returned in 2006 and has been held periodically, with the most recent in 2021. Matches aired across Raw and SmackDown, with finals sometimes occurring at other PPVs (like Judgment Day in 2006) or even on Raw. The 2015 semifinals and final aired exclusively as a WWE Network event.
In 2024, the PPV returned as King and Queen of the Ring, including the Queen of the Ring tournament, a women's version established in 2021 (originally called Queen's Crown).
On this page, you can find the full list of all the WWE King of the Ring winners in history, along with dates, events, locations and statistics.
WWE King of the Ring: Info
- Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment
- Gender Male
- Tournament Type Single-Elimination
- Date Established July 8, 1985
WWE King of the Ring: List of Winners
-
N. Image Winner 23 Gunther 1
- May 25, 2024
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- | WWE King and Queen of the Ring 2024
- 167+ days
This edition granted a World Heavyweight Championship shot, and Gunther successfully used it at SummerSlam 2024 against the champion Damian Priest.22 Xavier Woods 1
- October 21, 2021
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- | WWE King of the Ring 2021
- 1114+ days
21 Baron Corbin 1
- September 16, 2019
- Knoxville, TN
- | WWE King of the Ring 2019
- 1880+ days
20 Bad News Barrett 1
- April 28, 2015
- Moline, IL
- | WWE King of the Ring 2015
- 3482+ days
19 Sheamus 1
- November 29, 2010
- Philadelphia, PA
- | WWE Raw: King of the Ring 2010
- 5093+ days
18 William Regal 1
- April 21, 2008
- Greenville, SC
- | WWE Raw: King of the Ring 2008
- 6045+ days
17 Booker T 1
- May 21, 2006
- Phoenix, AZ
- | WWE King of the Ring 2006
- 6746+ days
16 Brock Lesnar 1
- June 23, 2002
- Columbus, OH
- | WWE King of the Ring 2002
- 8174+ days
This edition granted a WWE Undisputed Championship shot, and Lesnarsuccessfully used it at SummerSlam 2002 against the champion The Rock.15 Edge 1
- June 24, 2001
- East Rutherford, NJ
- | WWF King of the Ring 2001
- 8538+ days
14 Kurt Angle 1
- June 25, 2000
- Boston, MA
- | WWF King of the Ring 2000
- 8902+ days
This edition granted a WWF Championship shot, and Angle unsuccessfully used it at SummerSlam 2000 against the champion The Rock and Triple H.13 Billy Gunn 1
- June 27, 1999
- Greensboro, NC
- | WWF King of the Ring 1999
- 9266+ days
12 Ken Shamrock 1
- June 28, 1998
- Pittsburgh, PA
- | WWF King of the Ring 1998
- 9630+ days
11 Hunter Hearst Helmsley 1
- June 8, 1997
- Providence, RI
- | WWF King of the Ring 1997
- 10015+ days
10 Stone Cold Steve Austin 1
- June 23, 1996
- Milwaukee, WI
- | WWF King of the Ring 1996
- 10365+ days
9 Mabel 1
- June 25, 1995
- Philadelphia, PA
- | WWF King of the Ring 1995
- 10729+ days
8 Owen Hart 1
- June 19, 1994
- Baltimore, MD
- | WWF King of the Ring 1994
- 11100+ days
7 Bret "The Hitman" Hart 2
- June 13, 1993
- Dayton, OH
- | WWF King of the Ring 1993
- 11471+ days
6 Bret "The Hitman" Hart 1
- September 7, 1991
- Providence, RI
- | WWF King of the Ring 1991
- 12116+ days
5 Tito Santana 1
- October 14, 1989
- Providence, RI
- | WWF King of the Ring 1989
- 12809+ days
4 "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase 1
- October 16, 1988
- Providence, RI
- | WWF King of the Ring 1988
- 13172+ days
3 "Macho Man" Randy Savage 1
- September 4, 1987
- Providence, RI
- | WWF King of the Ring 1987
- 13580+ days
2 Harley Race 1
- July 14, 1986
- Foxborough, MA (Boston)
- | WWF King of the Ring 1986
- 13997+ days
1 Don Muraco 1
- July 8, 1985
- Foxborough, MA (Boston)
- | WWF King of the Ring 1985
- 14368+ days
WWE King of the Ring: Names & Logos History
-
- WWE King of the Ring May 6, 2024
- WWE King of the Ring October 8, 2021 May 5, 2024
- WWE King of the Ring April 27, 2015 October 7, 2021
- WWE King of the Ring November 29, 2010 April 26, 2015
- WWE King of the Ring June 3, 2002 November 28, 2010
- WWF King of the Ring June 27, 1999 June 2, 2002
- WWF King of the Ring June 28, 1998 June 26, 1999
- WWF King of the Ring July 8, 1985 June 27, 1998
WWE King of the Ring: Statistics & Records
Most Victories
Rank | Wrestler | Wins | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Bret "The Hitman" Hart | 2 | 1991, 1993 | |
Don Muraco | 1 | 1985 | |
Harley Race | 1 | 1986 | |
"Macho Man" Randy Savage | 1 | 1987 | |
"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase | 1 | 1988 |