The King of the Ring and Queen of the Ring tournaments returned in 2024 after a three-year hiatus. The eventual winners, Gunther and Nia Jax, proved that the crowns weren’t merely a flashy piece of jewelry. They provided the springboard for both superstars’ subsequent world championship reigns.
The King of the Ring tournament has progressed to the semi-final stage and, interestingly, the four remaining superstars share similarities in their respective storylines. Creatively, they remain adrift, wondering whether that coveted world title opportunity is on the horizon.
For some, it represents a chance to scale the mountain once more. For others, it offers the possibility of reaching that peak for the very first time. But who needs that crown the most?
Sami Zayn
A fan favorite and an underdog with over 10 years on the clock at WWE, Sami Zayn’s resume is only missing a World Championship. But fans and critics consistently question whether Zayn is good enough to capture the WWE Championship.
He is consistently a part of the biggest storylines, but normally as a supporting character. Zayn would probably admit to himself that he doesn’t possess the same aura or draw as Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns.
Despite sitting somewhere between the top tier and the mid-card, Zayn has some impressive wins under his belt. Zayn scored two of the biggest WrestleMania wins in recent years over The Usos in 2023 and Gunther in 2024. When the moment requires it, Zayn is capable of summoning second and third winds out of nowhere.
His desire for that first world championship has surfaced in several promos in recent months. The KOTR semi-final presents his best opportunity yet.
Randy Orton
Last year’s losing finalist, Randy Orton, was defeated under controversial circumstances by Gunther. One of Orton’s shoulders wasn’t on the mat for the three-count, somewhat overshadowing the Ring General’s win. The bad luck has followed Orton since, losing his last two world title matches to Gunther again and John Cena at Backlash last month.
A 14-time world champion, Orton has nothing to prove in the business. But having reignited his feud with Cena, Orton will be hungry to close the gap to Cena’s record-breaking 17 title reigns.
Orton is arguably the most opportunistic superstar on the WWE roster and he showed that in spades in the previous round. Hungry for their own major breakthroughs, Orton had to overcome LA Knight, Carmelo Hayes, and Aleister Black in his first round match. With Hayes moments away from sealing victory, Orton landed a trademark improvised RKO to subdue the rising star before pinning a downed Knight.
Zayn will be the underdog against the wily Orton. But there is an air of desperation and unease to both their recent journeys that could alter the expected outcome.
Cody Rhodes
The face of the place and the recently ousted WWE Champion. On form and star power, Cody Rhodes is the betting man’s pick. Prior to the KOTR matches being revealed, fans might’ve expected Rhodes to activate his rematch clause.
Even more so, considering he pinned John Cena at Money in the Bank. Perhaps adding a crown to his cause will add more momentum when Rhodes inevitably clashes with Cena in a title match down the line. In terms of bolstering Rhodes’ resume, a KOTR win makes sense in 2025.
The face of the company since dethroning Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL, Rhodes has just one world title to his name. Recent years have seen him add two Royal Rumbles and the inaugural Crown Jewel Championship to his list of achievements. While he’s still catching up with the likes of Cena and Orton, a KOTR victory would help to fill out his resume.
Jey Uso
Amidst a chaotic fatal-four-way chock-full of cameos, Jey Uso put himself back on the road to another world title opportunity. Having been overpowered by Gunther last week on WWE Raw, losing his world title in the process, Uso found himself dealing with three of the most powerful superstars on the Raw brand. Bronson Reed, Sheamus, and Rusev were huge hurdles to overcome in his first-round match, but Uso prevailed with a little help from his friends.
Uso’s maiden world title run has been met with mixed reviews, with the 2025 Royal Rumble winner seemingly buckling under the symbolic weight that title holds. Of the four semi-finalists, Uso needs this King of the Ring title the least. 2025 has been a breakthrough year for Uso, and he remains incredibly popular with the fans. But it has also been a difficult year too, and some time away from the spotlight could do him some good.
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