Every WWE King of the Ring winner: Where are they now?

Bret Hart, Steve Austin, and Booker T have all been King of the Ring
Bret Hart, Steve Austin, and Booker T have all been King of the Ring

In just a few weeks, the WWE Universe will receive a new monarch, as the 2019 King of the Ring will be decided at Clash of Champions.

Over the years, there have been good kings and bad kings, but each Superstar who wore the crown could brag that they had done what so few other stars had been able to.

Here we look at every single winner of the WWE King of the Ring tournament, what happened to them after, and where are they now.


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1985: Don Muraco

The first King of the Ring
The first King of the Ring

The original King, Don Muraco, captured the crown at a live event in Foxborough, Massachusetts, defeating the Iron Sheik.

In 2004, Muraco was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and inducted his manager, Mr. Fuji, three years later. He currently resides in Hawaii.


1986: Harley Race

Race would wear his crown with pride
Race would wear his crown with pride

Known as one of the toughest men in wrestling, Harley Race became King Harley by defeating former WWF Champion, Pedro Morales, in the finals.

Also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004, Race is known as the very first US Champion, but sadly died earlier this month, aged 76.


1987: Randy Savage

The Macho King ruled over the WWF in the late 1980s
The Macho King ruled over the WWF in the late 1980s

The Macho Man became the Macho King by last defeating King Kong Bundy in 1987. From there, Savage would become a two-time WWF Champion and a four-time WCW World Champion.

Savage sadly died of a heart attack in 2011 and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 by his brother, The Genius.


1988: Ted DiBiase

The Million Dollar Man would become the Million Dollar King
The Million Dollar Man would become the Million Dollar King

The Million Dollar Man added a new prize to his wardrobe by becoming King in 1988, defeating the reigning monarch, Randy Savage, in the finals.

DiBiase would retire from the ring in 1993, and would later be ordained as a Christian minister. He recently captured the 24/7 Championship at RAW Reunion.


1989: Tito Santana

Santana has kept himself busy in his later years
Santana has kept himself busy in his later years

Santana would defeat his former Strikeforce partner, Rick The Model in 1989 to claim the title of King of the Ring.

Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004, Santana still makes bookings in wrestling and teaches at the New Jersey-based Independent Wrestling Federation.

1991/1993: Bret 'Hitman' Hart

Bret would be the first King to win the crown on Pay Per View
Bret would be the first King to win the crown on Pay Per View

The only man to win two KOTR tournaments, Bret Hart would go on to become one of wrestling's most popular and successful stars.

A two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, Hart still makes appearances for the company, though recently appeared at AEW Double or Nothing to reveal the company's World title.


1994: Owen Hart

Owen was crowned by his brother-in-law Jim Neidhart
Owen was crowned by his brother-in-law Jim Neidhart

Defeating Razor Ramon in the finals, Owen Hart became the second man from his family to win the tournament, and would later have success as an Intercontinental, European, and Tag Champion.

In May 1999, a tragic accident took the life of Owen during WWF's Over the Edge event. He was 34.


1995: Mabel

King Mabel would main event SummerSlam 1995
King Mabel would main event SummerSlam 1995

The colossal Mabel crushed Savio Vega to win the crown in 1995 and would challenge for the WWF Title at SummerSlam that year against Diesel.

Never winning the title, Mabel would later become Viscera. He died on February 2014 of heart attack, aged 43.


1996: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Austin 3:16 was born at King of the Ring 1996
Austin 3:16 was born at King of the Ring 1996

Arguably the most infamous KOTR moment happened after the tournament, as Stone Cold gave his incredible Austin 3:16 promo.

Regarded as one of the greatest ever, Austin would retire in 2003 and has recently made appearances for WWE. He also recently launched his new show, Straight Up Steve Austin.

1997: Triple H

The Game smashed his crown over the fallen Mankind
The Game smashed his crown over the fallen Mankind

Defeating Mankind in the finals, Hunter Hearst Helmsley would capture his first WWF title two years later and would become a 14-time WWE World Champion.

Though The Game still wrestles sporadically, he now spends most of his time backstage, helping to run NXT.


1998: Ken Shamrock

Shamrock's Ankle Lock won him the crown
Shamrock's Ankle Lock won him the crown

The World's Most Dangerous Man defeated The Rock in the finals to become King of the Ring but would leave the company the following year.

Not seen since in WWE, Shamrock announced his fighting promotion, Valor, last month, and was recently announced for some future Impact Wrestling tapings.


1999: Billy Gunn

Gunn faced his friend X-Pac in the finals
Gunn faced his friend X-Pac in the finals

The One Billy Gunn was able to topple his DX partner, X-Pac, in the 1999 finals and would engage in a feud with The Rock shortly after.

Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of DX earlier this year, Gunn was recently announced as a trainer for All Elite Wrestling


2000: Kurt Angle

Angle's win would be part of an incredible rookie year
Angle's win would be part of an incredible rookie year

The Olympic Gold Medalist continued his incredible rookie year in the WWF by defeating Rikishi in the finals of 2000.

Winning the WWF title that October, Angle would return to WWE in 2017 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and recently appeared at Raw Reunion.

2001: Edge

Edge's Spear faced Rhyno's gore at King of the Ring 2001
Edge's Spear faced Rhyno's gore at King of the Ring 2001

Defeating the reigning King Kurt Angle in the finals, Edge would be a big part of the Invasion story in 2001, becoming a singles star and capturing the Intercontinental title.

Winning his first of eleven World titles in 2005, Edge would be forced to retire in 2011 due to health concerns. He recently speared Elias on the SummerSlam kick-off show, kickstarting rumors of a return to the ring.


2002: Brock Lesnar

Lesnar's raw strength proved too much for Rob Van Dam
Lesnar's raw strength proved too much for Rob Van Dam

Much like Angle, Lesnar would become King in his rookie year with WWE, defeating Rob Van Dam to extend his undefeated streak, and would capture the Undisputed title later that year at SummerSlam.

After a successful career in UFC, the Beast would return to WWE in 2012, capturing the WWE World Championship once, as well as having three reigns as the WWE Universal Champion.


2006: Booker T

Booker would go on to win the World Heavyweight title in 2006
Booker would go on to win the World Heavyweight title in 2006

Defeating Bobby Lashley at Judgement Day 2006, Booker T would become King Booker and started speaking with a British accent. This lasted until his release the following year.

Returning in 2011, Booker has worked as a commentator, wrestler, and GM. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for the second time earlier this year.

2008: William Regal

As RAW GM, Regal would become a King Lear-esque villain on Monday Nights
As RAW GM, Regal would become a King Lear-esque villain on Monday Nights

The British Brawler became the King of the Ring in an eight-man tournament, last defeating CM Punk. He was also the General Manager of RAW at the time.

Nowadays, Regal is the General Manager of NXT and is regarded by many as one of the best components of the developmental brand.


2010: Sheamus

Sheamus would defeat John Morrison in the finals
Sheamus would defeat John Morrison in the finals

Sheamus captured the crown in November 2010 by last defeating John Morrison in the finals. This would be the start of a downturn for the Irish superstar, as he would go on a losing streak that wouldn't end until March the following year.

Becoming one of three men to win the Royal Rumble, King of the Ring, and Money in the Bank ladder matches, Sheamus has spent the past few years as part of The Bar. He is currently on the shelf after suffering a concussion


2015: Bad News Barrett

Barrett is the most recent Superstar to be crowned King
Barrett is the most recent Superstar to be crowned King

The most recent King of the Ring, Wade Barett won a two-night tournament that saw him defeat fellow Brit, Neville, in the finals.

Leaving the WWE in 2017, Barrett has continued to work on the independent scene, and last year took a role with Lucha Underground as 'The Lord.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.
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