5 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE King And Queen Of The Ring (Results & Review)

2. King (Of The Ring) General

Randy Orton singles matches have a particularly distinctive flow to them, in that they are traditionally very deliberate and methodical – or whatever other terms WWE uses to put a positive spin on “slow.”

However, his return as an unbelievably popular babyface has helped make that pacing less obvious, with fan reactions filling the spaces nicely. Pairing him with Gunther in the King of the Ring finals also was a great way to play on that methodical pacing. The Ring General chopped and attacked Orton throughout the lengthy contest, forcing Randy to writhe in pain and move more gingerly around the ring. Even when he got the upper hand, the Viper still was moving a bit tentatively due to Gunther’s onslaught.

Orton’s accumulated injuries eventually took their toll, as he couldn’t capitalize on two RKOs quickly enough to get the pin and kept needing to recuperate even when on offense. That opened the door for Gunther to turn an Orton pin attempt into a (badly botched) crucifix pin for the win – though Orton very clearly had a shoulder up for most of the pin.

Oftentimes, critics lament a wrestler losing a match or a title and “failing upward” to challenge for a bigger title, but Gunther losing the Intercontinental Championship after a record-setting reign and then winning KOTR to earn a World Title match at SummerSlam is some smart booking and makes it feel deserved.