The first annual King of the Ring is upon is in the Rebooking. WWF World Champion Bret Hart defends the championship against Bam Bam Bigelow. The Steiner Brothers challenge Money Inc. for the WWF World Tag Team Championships in a no disqualification contest. Plus, who wins the King of the Ring tournament to get a title shot at SummerSlam? Find out here!
World Wrestling Federation presents King of the Ring
Date: 6/13/1993
From: Dayton, OH
Arena: Nutter Center
Attendance: 8,708
Announcers: Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan
Dark Match:
Jeff Jarrett defeated Marty Jannetty in 6:10 following a jumping DDT.
The show opens up with a video package promoting the King of the Ring tournament and the WWF World Championship match between Bret Hart and Bam-Bam Bigelow. After the video airs, Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan promote the show, mainly the tournament and World Championship matches. McMahon predicts that Randy Savage will win the crown tonight, while Heenan obviously chooses Lex Luger to win the tournament. They also disagreed on the world title match with McMahon picking Hart and Heenan picking Bigelow.
Before the event starts in the ring, we get a close up of the stage that has the King of the Ring coronation set up. Who will become the 1993 King of the Ring and thus earn themselves a WWF World Championship match at Summer Slam? We shall soon find out!
Opening Contest: Owen Hart vs. Jerry Lawler in a KOTR Tournament Match: Owen gets the early advantage hitting Lawler with a spinning heel kick and a springboard dropkick for a near fall. Lawler pokes Owen in the eyes followed by a side slam to gain the advantage. Lawler leaps off the middle rope looking for a fist drop but Owen rolls out of the way. Owen comes off the ropes to hit Lawler with a running bulldog. Owen connects with a couple of snap suplex’s but only gets a two count. Owen soon runs into a big boot in the corner and is scoop slammed by Lawler. Lawler delivers a standing fist drop for a two count. Owen counters a pile driver attempt by back dropping Lawler. Owen quickly heads to the top rope looking for a cross body but is instead met with a dropkick in midair by Lawler. Lawler pulls Owen up and spikes him with a pile driver. Lawler doesn’t go for the cover, instead opting to leap off the middle rope to hit Owen with a fist drop for the win. (6:04, **)
After the match, Lawler points to the coronation set claiming he will be take his rightful place as the King of the WWF later on tonight.
Backstage, Mean Gene is standing with former WWF World Champion Ric Flair. Gene brings up how Flair could possibly meet Mr. Perfect later tonight, but Flair isn’t concerned about that. Flair doesn’t believe that Perfect will get past the first round to begin with. Flair tells Gene that he is going to well, crush, his opponent Crush and make him scream for mercy in the middle of the ring. Flair is determined to get the WWF World Championship back around his waist.
Second Contest: Ric Flair vs. Crush in a KOTR Tournament Match: Flair tries to get the upper hand to open the bout with chops, but Crush isn’t affected by them. Crush pie faces Flair to the mat and delivers several clotheslines before Flair rolls to the floor demanding a timeout. Crush grabs Flair on the apron but is dropped throat first across the top rope. Flair begins to work on Crush’s left knee by jumping down onto Crush’s knee until Crush uses his free leg to push Flair over the top rope to the floor. Crush tries to get to his feet but Flair gets back in to chop block Crush’s leg to regain control. Flair delivers a knee breaker before getting the figure four on his opponent. Crush doesn’t give up as he is able to reach the bottom rope. Crush blocks a few jabs as he gets to his feet and soon connects with a military press slam, despite his knee giving out on the release. Flair charges towards Crush but is stopped with a backbreaker. Crush attempts the Kona Vice but Flair avoids it by sneaking a low blow. Flair attempts the figure four but Crush blocks it by kicking Flair chest first into a corner. Flair stumbles out of the corner and Crush puts the Kona Vice on him! Crush keeps the hold on Flair, who passes out! (8:26, **½)
Backstage, Mean Gene is standing with Mr. Perfect who is laughing at Ric Flair losing his match just moments ago. Perfect brags that Flair’s over confidence really screwed him over tonight. Perfect continues to mock, and insult Flair until Razor Ramon comes over. Ramon tells Perfect that he needs to pay attention to him and not just assume he will be advancing. Ramon mentions his huge win on RAW this past Monday and how tonight he will get by Perfect to get one step closer to adding more gold to his collection. Perfect gets in Ramon’s face and tells him that Ramon is going to need wrestle perfectly to beat him, because he will take advantage of any mistake.
Third Contest: Mr. Perfect vs. Razor Ramon in a KOTR Tournament Match: Perfect controls Ramon early on with mat wrestling until Ramon back elbows Perfect to break free. Ramon works on Perfect in the corner with several right hands and tosses Perfect across the ring with a fall away slam out of the corner. Ramon continues his offense with a short arm clothesline and a discus punch for a two count. Ramon power slams Perfect but misses a standing elbow drop. Perfect pops up and dropkicks Ramon to the floor. Perfect follows Ramon where he sends Ramon back first into the guard railing. Perfect charges but Ramon is able to backdrop Perfect over into the crowd. Ramon grabs Perfect and suplex him back into the ringside area. Ramon sends Perfect shoulder first into the ring post a couple of times before rolling Perfect back into the ring. Ramon works on Perfect’s shoulder with a shoulder breaker for a two count. Ramon places Perfect on the top rope to hit a middle rope back suplex for another near fall. Ramon taunts the fans before attempting a clothesline, which Perfect ducks. Perfect kicks Ramon in the gut so he can come off the ropes to deliver a swinging knee lift. Perfect hammers away on Ramon with right hands in the corner before sending Ramon into a corner across the ring to deliver a running clothesline. Perfect attempts the Perfect Plex but Ramon is able to trip Perfect and catapults Perfect chest first into the corner. Ramon grabs Perfect looking for the Razors Edge, but Perfect begins to wiggle out of the hold. Perfect pushes off the top rope with his feet to flip over and connects with the Perfect Plex to win the bout! (10:37, ***)
After the match, Ramon gets up to knee lift Perfect in the back. Ramon attempts the Razors Edge but Perfect is able to backdrop Ramon over the top to the floor and celebrates his victory.
Backstage, Mean Gene is with Randy Savage. Gene isn’t able to get a word in as Savage quickly grabs the microphone to cut a promo. Savage is pissed about losing to Ramon on RAW this past Monday but Savage is going to use that anger tonight to beat Lex Luger. Savage says he is going to damage Luger’s face so that Luger will not have anything to brag about. Savage tells Gene that tonight the Macho Man is loose and Luger better be ready for a fight, oh yeah!
Fourth Contest: Randy Savage vs. Lex Luger in a KOTR Tournament Match: As soon as the bell sounds they begin to trade right hands with Savage getting the advantage as he bites Luger’s forehead. Luger shoves Savage away before looking for a clothesline but Savage drops Luger with a drop toe hold. Savage knee lifts Luger into a corner where Savage continues his offense with right hands. Luger stops Savage by dropping him throat first across the top rope. Luger pulls Savage up to deliver a delayed vertical suplex for a near fall. Luger puts a nerve hold on Savage for a few moments until Savage elbows his way out of it. Savage comes off the ropes but is stopped with a snap power slam, which gets Luger a near fall. Luger works on Savage’s lower back with several knee shots. Luger puts Savage in a tree of woe before delivering several more stomps and knee strikes to Savage’s chest. Luger gets a two count following a back suplex. Savage is able to counter a back drop attempt by connecting with an swinging neck breaker for a two count. Savage heads to the top rope and hits Luger with a double axe handle for a near fall. Savage takes Luger over with a fireman’s carry and delivers a few clotheslines. Savage plants Luger with a DDT before going to the top rope, signaling for the elbow drop. Savage is on the top rope but is crotched by Luger after he shoved the referee into the ropes. Luger recovers by connecting with a superplex. Luger awaits for Savage to get up and hits Savage with a running forearm smash for the win. (12:38, **½)
A video promoting the WWF Intercontinental Championship match is aired. McMahon and Heenan also talk about Michaels promised “big surprise”.
Fifth Contest: WWF Intercontinental Champion Tatanka vs. Shawn Michaels in a title match: Michaels stops Tatanka’s flurry of right hands with a poke to the eyes and works on the champ in the corner with several jabs and chops. Michaels charges the corner looking for a splash but misses and is greeted with several overhand chops by Tatanka. Tatanka hip tosses Michaels out of the corner before dropkicking Michaels to the floor. Tatanka goes to the apron where he leaps off hitting Michaels with a cross body. Tatanka rolls Michaels back into the ring and leaps off the middle rope looking to hit a double axe handle but Michaels catches Tatanka and connects with a belly to belly suplex for a two count. Michaels follows up with a snap suplex and delivers a knee drop after coming off the ropes. Michaels sends Tatanka into a corner and delivers a running clothesline. Michaels attempts a monkey flip, but Tatanka blocks it by shoving Michaels away. Tatanka leaps off the middle rope, hitting Michaels with a shoulder block for a near fall. Tatanka ducks under a wild clothesline attempt and nails Michaels with a savant kick. Late in the match, Tatanka heads to the top rope looking for a cross body but gets distracted when a tall, menacing man dressed in black leather comes out from nowhere. Tatanka leaps off the top towards the mystery man, but is caught and rammed back first into the ring post. The mystery man also drops Tatanka face first across the ring steps. Tatanka is rolled back into the ring where Michaels connects with a teardrop suplex for the win! (**¼ , 9:04)
After the match, Michaels goes to the floor with the championship to celebrate with the mystery man. Michaels taunts the fans as Tatanka is left laying in the ring with several officials checking on him.
Backstage, Mean Gene is with a clearly upset Ric Flair over losing to Crush earlier in the night. Flair doesn’t want to talk to Gene, but does say that tonight he will make sure he leaves the arena with a smile on his face and he knows exactly what will make that happen.
Sixth Contest: Crush vs. Jerry Lawler in a KOTR Tournament Match: Lawler attacks Crush on the apron with right hands and backs Crush into a corner delivering right hands for a few moments. Crush punches Lawler down, and the force actually sends Lawler flipping across the ring. Lawler gets up, charging towards Crush but is met with a big boot. Lawler spins around and Crush quickly puts the Kona Vice on Lawler! Lawler tries to reach the top rope with his hands, but isn’t able to reach them. Crush makes “the king” tap out! (1:45, ½*)
During Mr. Perfect’s entrance for the next match, Ric Flair runs down and brutality attacks Perfect on the floor. Flair sends Perfect into the ring post shoulder first and rams him head first into the ring steps several times. Flair grabs a chair and whacks Perfect in the midsection and across the back several times. Flair uses the chair to prevent officials from getting to Perfect. Flair puts the figure four on Perfect for several moments until Perfect is knocked out. Flair casually rolls Perfect into the ring and walks to the back with a smile as Lex Luger makes his entrance.
Seventh Contest: Mr. Perfect vs. Lex Luger in a KOTR Tournament Match: Luger casually enters the ring, pleased to see that Mr. Perfect is in no condition to wrestle. Apparently, Perfect refused to give up to the official, and thus the bell was rung. Luger waits in to the corner until Perfect gets to his feet, which takes several moments as the fans rally behind Perfect. Perfect staggers around only to be met with a vicious running forearm smash from Luger! Luger quickly covers a limp Perfect to advance to the finals. (2:55, NR)
A video promoting the WWF World Tag Team Championship match is aired.
Eighth Contest: WWF World Tag Team Champions Money Inc. vs. The Steiner Brothers in a No Disqualifications Match in a title match: Scott and IRS brawl on the floor while Rick and DiBiase trade right hands in the ring with Rick getting the upper hand. Rick catches DiBiase on a leapfrog attempt and connects with a power slam. IRS drops Scott throat first across the guard railing, which allows him to enter the ring to clothesline Rick from behind. IRS puts the boots to Rick until DiBiase recovers and takes over. IRS tries to knock Scott off the apron but misses and is instead superplex over the top to the floor by Scott! Scott enters the ring and works on DiBiase with right hands before taking DiBiase over with a big overhead belly to belly suplex! Scott comes off the ropes and clotheslines DiBiase over the top to the floor. The Steiner’s pose in the ring for a few seconds as the champions regroup on the floor. The Steiner’s head to the floor, chasing after the champions. IRS rolls into the ring where he believes he is safe, only for Rick to pop up behind him. Rick takes IRS over with a German suplex and delivers a few clotheslines. Rick pummels IRS in the corner while Scott backdrops DiBiase on the floor! IRS stops Rick by dropping him face first across the top turnbuckle. IRS baseball slides Scott into the guard railing before going back to work on Rick. IRS puts Rick on his shoulders to deliver an electric chair slam! DiBiase enters and leaps off the middle rope hitting Rick with a fist drop. DiBiase continues to work on Rick with a hammerlock scoop slam and a standing fist drop. DiBiase goes to the floor to grab the tag titles but Scott runs over to stop DiBiase. However, DiBiase hits Scott in the face and Scott is hurting on the floor as he may have aggravated his broken nose suffered earlier in the month! DiBiase has IRS hold up Rick so he can hit him with the belt and charges, but Rick gets his feet up and kicks the belt into DiBiase’s face! Rick breaks free from IRS and connects with a power slam! Scott manages to roll into the ring and power bombs DiBiase for some level of revenge! Scott tosses DiBiase to the floor but is attacked by IRS from behind. Scott counters an Irish whip attempt and hit’s the Frankensteiner! Scott doesn’t go for the cover, and instead puts IRS on his shoulder as Rick heads up top. Rick leaps off the top and bulldogs IRS to the mat! Rick covers and picks up the win! (16:42, ***¼)
Backstage, Mean Gene is standing with Bam-Bam Bigelow. Bigelow simply tells Gene that tonight he will win the WWF World Championship and end the Hitman’s reign once and for all.
Ninth Contest: WWF World Champion Bret Hart vs. Bama-Bam Bigelow in a title match: Bigelow splashes Hart in the corner as Hart took off his belt. Bigelow continued to deliver several quick body splashes. Bigelow sends Hart into a corner but runs into a double big boot from the champion. Hart leaps off the middle rope to clothesline Bigelow. Hart quickly follows up with side Russian leg sweep for a one count. Hart comes off the ropes looking for a running bulldog but is sent chest first into a corner. Bigelow grabs Hart and connects with a snap power slam! Bigelow delivers a few falling head butts for a two count. Bigelow delivers a gut buster and a few knee strikes to work on Hart’s known weak ribs. Bigelow slows the bout down by controlling Hart with a chin lock and drops down across Hart’s back a few times. Bigelow sends Hart into the ropes before driving Hart down to the mat with a big side slam. Bigelow runs off the ropes and hits Hart with a big senton splash for a two count. Bigelow lifts Hart up in a gorilla press slam position but decides to drop Hart gut first across the top rope and Hart flips over the top to the floor! Bigelow rams Hart back first into the apron a few times before rolling Hart back into the ring. Bigelow taunts the fans on the apron, which allows Hart to recover and dropkick Bigelow to the floor. Hart quickly comes off the ropes and takes Bigelow out with a suicide dive on the floor! Hart mounts Bigelow delivering several right hands. Hart tosses Bigelow back into the ring where Hart connects with a quick backbreaker. Hart goes to the middle rope and leaps off hitting Bigelow with a forearm drop but only manages a two count on the cover. Hart tries to continue his offense but Bigelow rams Hart chest first into a corner. Bigelow gets up and connects with a double under hook backbreaker! Bigelow grabs Hart and plants the champ with a huge jumping DDT! Bigelow puts Hart on his shoulder to hit a running power slam attempt. Bigelow signals for the end and heads to the top rope for a diving head butt. Bigelow taunts the fans and leaps off only to miss the diving head butt! Hart gets to his feet and drives Bigelow down to the mat with a running bulldog! Hart quickly goes to Bigelow’s legs an puts the Sharpshooter on Bigelow! Bigelow doesn’t want to give up and remains in the hold for what seemed like two minutes before verbally giving up! (20:55, ***¾)
Backstage, Mean Gene meets up with the WWF World Champion, Bret Hart. Hart puts over Bigelow as a tough opponent but says that he knew he would be able to walk out of the pay per view as the champion. Gene brings up the King of the Ring final, which Hart says he will be watching for sure.
Main Event: Crush vs. Lex Luger in the finals of the 1993 KOTR: They trade right hands with Crush getting the upper hand until Luger delivered a knee lift to stop the offense. Luger ducks a clothesline and atomic drops Crush. Luger works on Crush with several punches, boots and chokes Crush for a few moments. Luger sends Crush into a corner, but Crush charges out of the corner to turn Luger inside out with a big clothesline. Crush scoop slams Luger and follows up with a side slam for a two count. Crush backs Luger into a corner and looks for a running big boot but Luger side steps the attack and causes Crush to crotch himself on the top rope. Luger delivers several forearm shots before knocking Crush to the floor. Luger distracts the referee as Jim Cornette makes his way down to the ringside area with his tennis racket. Cornette yells at Crush before whacking him across the back with the racket. Crush isn’t all that much affected by the shot and grabs Cornette! Crush scoop slams Cornette on the floor but is soon attacked by Yokozuna who ran (well, tried to run) down to the ringside area. Yoko clubbed Crush several times before dropping Crush with a head butt. Yokozuna wasn’t done as he delivered a leg drop across Crush’s chest. Yoko rolled Crush back into the ring where Luger was waiting. Luger gave a thumbs up to Yoko as he lifted Crush up. Luger runs off the ropes and hits Crush with a running forearm smash. Luger covers Crush and picks up the win to become the 1993 King of the Ring winner! (7:32, **)
After Luger celebrates his win in the ring for a few moments, he makes his way to the coronation set up with Mean Gene waiting to interview the new king of the WWF. Luger tells Gene that he knew all along that he was going to be right here talking to him, being known as King of the Ring. Luger knows that there isn’t anyone in the WWF or in the world that can defeat him. Luger quickly turns his attention to WWF World Champion and says “you can beat an overweight beast, but you will not beat a perfectly structured king.” Luger puts on the King of the Ring outfit while signaling that the WWF World Championship will soon be his!
A video recapping what happened during the King of the Ring is shown to close out the broadcast.
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— Bob Colling