By: Brian Hoops, Nostalgia Specialist

I am really looking forward to this Monday Night’s special three-hour edition of Raw as the WWE revises a great WWE wrestling tradition; the King of the Ring tournament. Before it was brought to PPV in 1993, the KOTR was a one-night single elimination tournament held each year at house shows in the New England area. Thereafter, the KOTR tournament was the focal point of the WWE’s annual June PPV.

Similar to what the Money in the Bank ladder match winner has become in recent years, the King of the Ring winner has traditionally elevated a mid-card wrestler into a top spot in the company and likely a world title run.

Here is a list of the winners of the King of the Ring PPV tournament.

1993 - Bret Hart defeated Bam Bam Bigelow. Hart won four WWE World Titles; two WCW World Titles and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

1994 – Owen Hart defeated Razor Ramon. Hart had several WWE World Tag Team Title reigns and challenged brother Bret Hart for the WWF World Title at Summer Slam 1994.

1995 – Mabel defeated Savio Vega. In hindsight, this was the weakest KOTR PPV with very little star power. Mabel challenged WWF Champion Diesel at Summer Slam 1995 for the WWF World Title.

1996 – Steve Austin defeated Jake Roberts. Interestingly, Triple H was supposed to win the 1996 KOTR, however he was being punished and Austin took his spot. Austin would go on to lead the WWE in the late 1990’s during its hottest run and hold six World Titles.

1997 – Triple H defeated Mankind. Triple H has won 11 World Titles and is one of the most influential men in wrestling.

1998 – Ken Shamrock defeated Rocky Maivia. Was an WWE Intercontinental Champion and WWE World Tag Team Champion as well as TNA/NWA Champion and UFC Champion.

1999 – Billy Gunn defeated X-Pac. Gunn had his greatest success as a 10 time WWE World Tag Team Champion.

2000 – Kurt Angle defeated Rikishi. Angle would go on to be one of the most respected wrestlers in history; holding the WWE World Heavyweight Title, the WCW World Heavyweight Title as well as the TNA World Heavyweight Title.

2001 – Edge defeated Kurt Angle. Edge has been a four time WWE Champion and a 12 time WWE World Tag Team Champion.

2002 – Brock Lesnar defeated Rob Van Dam. Lesnar would go on to become a three time WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Currently, Lesnar is currently fighting in the UFC.

2006 – Booker T defeated Bobby Lashley. Booker T would adopt the King Booker gimmick as a result of winning the KOTR tournament. Booker T has won the WCW/WWE World Tag Team Titles 14 times and the WCW/WWE World Title six times. Booker T is currently wrestling for TNA.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s look at wrestling nostalgia. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at bhoops@iw.net.

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