Why this is #2: The WWE had dabbled in the idea of king championship tournaments for many years prior to the first televised King of the Ring Tournament in 1993. The new pay-per-view event fit snuggly between Wrestlemania and Summerslam, essentially becoming the first pay-per-view to expand upon the WWEs original big four. The crown jewel of the event was a single night tournament for bragging rights that featured such big name superstars as Bret Hart, Bam Bam Bigelow, Lex Luger, Mr. Perfect and Razor Ramon. The KOTR tournament would rarely ever be this loaded in later years as the WWE obviously wanted to start out the new pay-per-view with a bang. They certainly delivered with a stacked tournament that featured some truly exceptional matches. Best Match: Curt Henning vs. Bret Hart. Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect had their first televised rematch from their classic Summerslam 91 encounter during the semis of this inagural event. This encounter was also a classic and featured both men competing as babyfaces this time around. Henning would put up a great fight but Hart would again come out on top via a beautiful reversal of an inside cradle to advance to the finals. Henning could never seem to beat the Hitman once he started his singles career ascent in the WWE but this was his closest contest. Winner and Aftermath: Bret Hart triumphed over Bam Bam Bigelow in the finals of the event to capture the crown. (incidentally, Hart had also won the event two years year prior but that tournament was the final non-televised affair) Jerry Lawler would then attack the Hitman during his coronation ceremony which would lead to a memorable feud between the two for the next few months of 1993. The first KOTR squarely established Hart as the WWEs top insanely popular workhouse after his disappointing title loss to Yokozuna at Mania IX a few months prior to the show.
