Vince McMahon’s Sudden Disinterest Ended WWE’s Annual King of the Ring

One big thing: Vince McMahon abruptly ended WWE’s annual King of the Ring pay-per-view in 2003 due to his growing disinterest in the tournament concept.

The details:

• Bruce Prichard, on his podcast “Something to Wrestle,” revealed McMahon’s sudden decision to discontinue the event.

• McMahon reportedly said, “F*ck King of the Ring,” expressing his fatigue with the yearly tournament format.

• The King of the Ring was a standalone pay-per-view from 1993 to 2002 before being replaced by WWE Bad Blood in 2003.

Why it matters:

This decision marked a significant shift in WWE’s annual event lineup, removing a platform that had launched several wrestlers’ careers into stardom.

By the numbers:

• 10 years: Duration of King of the Ring as an annual pay-per-view (1993-2002)
• 2006: Year the tournament briefly returned as a SmackDown exclusive
• 2024: Most recent King of the Ring event, now paired with Queen of the Ring

The big picture:

Under Triple H’s leadership, King of the Ring has been revitalized with a new format:

• Winners now receive title matches at SummerSlam
• GUNTHER and Nia Jax, 2024 winners, both capitalized on their victories to win championships

What’s next:

The reimagined King and Queen of the Ring tournament seems poised to remain a fixture in WWE’s annual schedule, offering a fresh take on the classic concept.

Do you think the new format for King of the Ring has breathed new life into the tournament? Share your thoughts in the comments below.