King of the Ring (2008)

King of the Ring (2008)

William Regal, winner of the 2008 King of the Ring tournament
Information
Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s) Raw
SmackDown
ECW
Date April 21, 2008
Venue BI-LO Center
City Greenville, South Carolina
King of the Ring chronology

King of the Ring (2006) King of the Ring (2008) King of the Ring (2010)

King of the Ring (2008) was a special edition of Raw held on April 21, 2008 at BI-LO Center in Greenville, South Carolina. The episode featured the eighteenth King of the Ring tournament, which was won by William Regal. Unlike the previous tournament that only featured wrestlers from the SmackDown brand, the 2008 version of the tournament featured wrestlers from WWE's all three brands-- Raw, SmackDown and ECW.[1]

Matches

Quarter-Finals

The show started with the quarter-final round of the 2008 King of the Ring tournament pitting the WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho against the WWE United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). MVP began dominating Jericho until Jericho performed a Springboard Dropkick on MVP. MVP regained his momentum and performed a Delayed Elbow Drop, which he calls Ballin' Elbow for a near-fall. MVP began working on Jericho's face and applied a Three-quarter Facelock and followed by executing Knee Lifts. MVP performed a Big Boot for a near-fall. Jericho tried to perform a Diving Crossbody but MVP countered it into a Flapjack. However, Jericho recovered and executed a One-Handed Bulldog. Jericho tried to perform a Springboard Moonsault which he calls Lionsault but MVP avoided the move. MVP tried to finish Jericho with an Overdrive which he calls Playmaker but Jericho countered it into an Elevated Boston Crab which he calls Walls of Jericho. Jericho forced MVP to submit to the Walls of Jericho.[2][3][4] The second match in the quarter-final was between Matt Hardy and the Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk. Hardy and Punk started the match by utilizing submission maneuvers against each other. Punk began dominating the match and attacked Hardy sending him to the corner. Hardy took advantage and executed a Flying Back Elbow on Punk's head. Hardy whipped Punk into the corner and executed a Corner Clothesline followed by a Bulldog which was countered by Punk. Punk whipped Hardy into the corner and executed a Step Up High Knee and a Bulldog. Punk tried to finish the match by attempting a Fireman's Carry Knee Strike which he calls Go To Sleep on Hardy. Hardy reversed and executed a Wrist-Lock Side Slam which he calls Side Effect. Hardy attempted a Front Facelock Three-Quarter Facelock Cutter which he calls Twist of Fate on Punk. Punk countered it into a Go 2 Sleep but Hardy attempted a Sunset Flip on Punk. Punk sat and held the Roll-Up to win the match.[2][3][4]

The third match in the quarter-final was between Finlay and The Great Khali. Khali dominated Finlay with a Lariat and a Scoop Slam, followed by a Leg Drop attempt. However, Finlay avoided the Leg Drop and began beating on Khali. Khali threw Finlay into the corner and continued assaulting him into the corner. Khali grabbed Finlay and took him outside the ring and wrapped Finlay's knee into the ring post. Khali continuously slammed it into the ring post, causing the referee to disqualify Khali. After the match, Khali continued to assault Finlay until Big Show came to chase Khali. Finlay was being helped by Hornswoggle and WWE staff to the backstage.

At the same time, the Raw General Manager William Regal was making his entrance to the ring for his tournament quarter-final match. It was announced that Hornswoggle would be Regal's opponent. Regal easily defeated Hornswoggle by forcing him to submit to a Cross-Legged STF which he calls Regal Stretch. After the match, Finlay tried to rescue Hornswoggle but was attacked by Regal.[2][3][4]

Semi finals

The semi-final of the King of the Ring tournament began with Chris Jericho taking on CM Punk. Jericho and Punk exchanged blows until Jericho executed a Springboard Dropkick. Punk followed by attempting a Springboard Clothesline but Jericho dropkicked the ropes and Punk crashed on the ropes. Jericho applied a Backbreaker on Punk until Punk countered and executed a Spinning Wheel Kick. Jericho tried to pin Punk with a Roll-Up but Punk kicked out. Jericho applied Walls of Jericho on Punk and Punk fought of the hold but Jericho executed an Enzuigiri. Punk recovered and executed a Scoop Powerslam, followed by a series of kicks to Jericho. Jericho would deliver a Bulldog and tried to execute a Lionsault on Punk but Punk blocked the move. Jericho applied Walls of Jericho on Punk for a second time in the match. Punk broke the hold and executed a Go 2 Sleep to win the match.[2][3][4]

The next semi-final match was between Finlay and William Regal. Regal targeted Finlay's injured knee and attacked it. However, Finlay protected his knee and tried to battle Regal but Regal continued to attack it and injured Finlay's head. Finlay regained momentum and executed a Double Foot Stomp and attempted a Celtic Cross on Regal. Regal fought of the move and kicked Finlay's head and applied a Regal Stretch on Finlay. Finlay was knocked out and as a result, Regal advanced to the finals.[2][3][4]

Final

Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk lost in the finals of the tournament.

The King of the Ring Final match took place pitting CM Punk against William Regal. Regal attacked Punk into the corner until the referee broke it up and Punk kicked Regal and placed him in the corner. Punk executed a Shining Wizard and attempted a Bulldog but Regal executed a Bridging Belly To Back Suplex, which he calls Regal-Plex. Regal followed by applying a Bow And Arrow Stretch on Punk. Punk and Regal would exchange blows until Punk attempted to hit a Go 2 Sleep. However, Regal caught the top rope and executed a Running High Knee which he calls Knee Trembler. Regal attempted a Regal Stretch on Punk. Punk tried to break the hold but Regal continued to punch Punk, forcing him to tap out to the hold.[2][3][4]

Aftermath

After winning the King of the Ring tournament, William Regal began feuding with Mr. Kennedy, who interfered in Regal's King of the Ring coronation ceremony on April 28 edition of Raw.[5] This would lead to a Loser Gets Fired match between Kennedy and Regal on May 19 edition of Raw. Kennedy defeated Regal, forcing Regal to quit and vacate his position as the Raw General Manager.[6]

Many of the participants in the King of the Ring tournament participated at Backlash pay-per-view. The WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho served as the Special Guest Referee for the match between Shawn Michaels and Batista.[7] Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and Matt Hardy, two of the participants in the tournament competed for MVP's WWE United States Championship. Hardy defeated MVP to win the championship.[8] Another participant The Great Khali wrestled at the event against Big Show in a losing effort.[9]

The participants of the main event of April 21 edition of Raw were all involved in matches at Backlash. The Undertaker defeated Edge to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.[10] Kane defeated Chavo Guerrero to retain the ECW Championship.[11] Randy Orton defended the WWE Championship against Triple H, John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a Fatal Four Way Elimination match. Triple H won the championship.[12] CM Punk later became World Heavyweight Champion just over two months later after cashing in his Money In The Bank contract on Edge.

Results

No. Results[2][3][4] Stipulations Times
1D Ron Killings defeated Trevor Murdoch Singles match 5:02
2 Chris Jericho defeated Montel Vontavious Porter by submission King of the Ring Quarter-Final match 5:05
3 CM Punk defeated Matt Hardy King of the Ring Quarter-Final match 3:45
4 Finlay (with Hornswoggle) defeated The Great Khali by disqualification King of the Ring Quarter-Final match 1:59
5 William Regal defeated Hornswoggle by submission King of the Ring Quarter-Final match :18
6 Carlito (with Santino Marella) defeated Hardcore Holly (with Cody Rhodes) Singles match 5:02
7 CM Punk defeated Chris Jericho King of the Ring Semi-Final match 6:21
8 William Regal defeated Finlay by knockout King of the Ring Semi-Final match 3:37
9 William Regal defeated CM Punk by submission King of the Ring Final match 4:07
10 Randy Orton, Edge, Chavo Guerrero and John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated The Undertaker, Kane, Triple H and John Cena Eight-man tag team match 10:05
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match
  • D – indicates the match was a dark match

Tournament brackets

The tournament was held on April 21, 2008 edition of Raw.[13]

Quarterfinals Conference Finals Finals
         
RAW Chris Jericho Sub
SD Montel Vontavious Porter 5:05
RAW Chris Jericho 6:21
ECW CM Punk Pin
ECW CM Punk Pin
SD Matt Hardy 3:45
ECW CM Punk 4:07
RAW William Regal Sub
SD The Great Khali 1:59
SD Finlay DQ
SD Finlay 3:37
RAW William Regal KO
RAW William Regal Sub
SD Hornswoggle 0:18

References

  1. ↑ Vermillion, James (April 14, 2008). "Return of the King". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Golden, Hunter (April 21, 2008). "WWE Raw Results". WrestleView. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Adkins, Greg (April 21, 2008). "Party Crasher". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "WWE Raw Results". Online World of Wrestling. April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  5. ↑ DiFino, Lennie (April 28, 2008). "Hear ye, hear ye". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  6. ↑ DiFino, Lennie (May 19, 2008). "One night stood up". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  7. ↑ Adkins, Greg (April 27, 2008). "Play It Again, Shawn". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  8. ↑ DiFino, Lennie (April 27, 2008). "Better than the Baller". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  9. ↑ Clayton, Corey (April 27, 2008). "Big Show wins mammoth matchup". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  10. ↑ Dee, Louie (April 27, 2008). "Second verse, same as the first". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  11. ↑ Rote, Andrew (April 27, 2008). "Flames continue to fly in ECW". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  12. ↑ Tello, Craig (April 27, 2008). "Twelfth Knight". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  13. ↑ "King of the Ring 2008 Tournament Brackets". World Wrestling Entertainment. April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-28.

External links

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