{"id":124606,"date":"2024-05-28T06:58:33","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T10:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=124606"},"modified":"2024-05-28T06:58:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T10:58:33","slug":"wrestlers-that-need-to-be-in-wwe-king-of-the-ring-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/05\/28\/wrestlers-that-need-to-be-in-wwe-king-of-the-ring-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrestlers That NEED To Be In The 2025 WWE King of the Ring Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em><strong>WWE King and Queen of the Ring 2024<\/strong><\/em> saw <strong>WWE<\/strong> crown two new monarchs. With the 2024 King of the Ring tournament in the rear-view mirror, we\u2019ve taken a look ahead to 2025 and any future iterations of the tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s explore some of the current WWE talent that needs to be featured in the 2025 King of the Ring tournament. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Don\u2019t worry, there is a Women\u2019s version of this coming soon too!)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Bron Breakker<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4Lw7P5UOwX8?si=_wOHleeUFySvjal4\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s not too much that needs to be said about this one. In fact, <strong>Bron Breakker<\/strong> made the point himself. He should ABSOLUTELY be featured in any future King of the Ring tournaments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breakker is an unstoppable force and has been proving as much on <em><strong>WWE Raw<\/strong><\/em> in recent weeks. He can decimate every opponent put in front of him, which makes him a real contender to be a future King of the Ring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His run on <em>WWE Raw<\/em> since being drafted by <strong>Adam Pearce<\/strong> has been intriguing, especially with the added wrinkle of his apparent heel turn. It would be a brilliant opportunity to cement Breakker\u2019s spot as one of the biggest stars of WWE\u2019s future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Ilja Dragunov<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dwjxCwrQr10?si=kyjiUlR_qzC2l4bC\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The former NXT Champion made waves on <em>WWE Raw<\/em> after being called up during the <em><strong>WWE Draft 2024<\/strong><\/em>, with many fans expecting to see <strong>Ilja Dragunov<\/strong> run into his old nemesis <strong>Gunther<\/strong>, as the \u201cRing General\u201d made his way to the finals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Dragunov was ultimately unsuccessful in his endeavours, being beaten by \u201cMain Event\u201d <strong>Jey Uso<\/strong> in an exceptional match.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dragunov is one of the only members of the tournament that ought to show up in another instalment in 2025, if only to satisfy the needs of this writer for hard-hitting dream matches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201cMad Dragon\u201d could enter the tournament again, looking to avenge his failure from the 2024 edition. A more determined, intense and relentless Dragunov would be a sight to behold and one to fear for every other member of the WWE roster.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Carmelo Hayes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jkhz-9Jy-YU?si=kMJnzPTHWE-6mTPO\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The other returning competitor for a 2025 edition of King of the Ring ought to be <strong>Carmelo Hayes<\/strong>. Hayes is capable of putting on standout matches with anyone that he squares off against, with his bouts against <strong>Randy Orton<\/strong> and <strong>Baron Corbin<\/strong> proving that fact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At just 29 years old, Hayes is a relative rookie compared to some of the talent on the roster and is already showing why he belongs at the top of the card.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Re-entering the tournament would be a wise move for Hayes and the perfect opportunity for him to rekindle a rivalry with someone that he could otherwise avoid until then\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Trick Williams<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p3Jo_qQOCyc?si=SghXphZCOGEyaF0D\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By 2025, <strong>Trick Williams<\/strong> should be on the main roster. The current NXT Champion has cemented himself as the top star on Tuesday nights, with his matches against the aforementioned entrants standing out as some of the best <em><strong>NXT<\/strong><\/em> bouts of all time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Williams were to enter a future edition of the King of the Ring tournament, it would allow for a natural meeting of Williams and Hayes, which could re-launch the hottest <em>NXT<\/em> feud of recent years on <em>WWE Raw<\/em> or <em><strong>SmackDown<\/strong><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Montez Ford<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Fy-o79mOSJQ?si=-qzlRuPU2PiOh6Dq\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When <strong>Bobby Lashley<\/strong> was declared unfit to compete in the 2024 King of the Ring tournament, he was replaced by stablemate <strong>Angelo Dawkins<\/strong>. Dawkins was, ultimately, unsuccessful in his attempt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a future iteration of the tournament, his Street Profits teammate should get his time to shine. <strong>Montez Ford<\/strong> would be a welcome inclusion to the tournament, if only for his knack for putting on standout matches with everyone he stands across the ring from.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Andrade<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4xO0SXniUhA?si=vYAwxAI5t8YdpgxC\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since returning to WWE at <em><strong>WWE Royal Rumble 2024<\/strong><\/em>, <strong>Andrade<\/strong> has spent the past five months in limbo. He hasn\u2019t appeared to have a clear story and has only wrestled SIX televised matches since his return.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He is a man in dire need of direction, which has helped this decision. Although any future tournament is likely around a year away, it would make sense to include Andrade in the 2025 King of the Ring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The former WWE United States Champion would be a fine inclusion and has the ability to put on superb performances in the ring. The idea of Andrade facing off against any of the stars on this list is tantalising, and demonstrates the necessity of his inclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Oba Femi<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Euuvj2R-pus?si=WlzEKEwlyGlrK78L\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Oba Femi<\/strong> will undoubtedly be a WWE World Champion one day. Until then, his dominant run as the NXT North American Champion will have to serve as a taster of his capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the time a future King of the Ring tournament rolls around, Oba Femi should be in with a shout as one of the more surprising inclusions. Femi could be presented as a dominant beast that is almost impossible to defeat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prospect of Oba Femi mixing it up with some of the established stars of WWE\u2019s roster is mouth-watering, and it would be a perfect chance to call him up to the main roster, if he hasn\u2019t already arrived by then.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Je\u2019Von Evans<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UBdKLpBj1LM?si=sVF7ip7t7F3yZXRT\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you thought Oba Femi was a surprising shout, this might knock your socks off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Je\u2019Von Evans<\/strong> should absolutely be in with an outside chance of appearing in the King of the Ring tournament of 2025. The 20-year-old has been outstanding during his brief run in <em>NXT<\/em> and ultimately deserves the chance to showcase his abilities on a major scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prior to his arrival in <em>NXT<\/em>, Evans (under his former moniker of <strong>Jay Malachi<\/strong>) was the youngest-ever <em><strong>DPW<\/strong> <\/em>Champion and put on incredible matches with some of the hottest independent talent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An appearance in the King of the Ring tournament would be the perfect way to introduce him to a wider audience and a shock win in the first round could be a brilliant way for Evans to announce himself as the fastest-rising young talent in WWE.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there\u2019s anyone else that you\u2019d like to see featured in the 2025 WWE King of the Ring tournament, please let us know!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Header photo \u2013 WWE \u2013 Stay tuned to the\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/watch.wwe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE Network<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peacocktv.com\/watch\/home\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Peacock<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WWE King and Queen of the Ring 2024 saw WWE crown two new monarchs. With the 2024 King of the Ring tournament in the rear-view mirror, we\u2019ve taken a look ahead to 2025 and any future iterations of the tournament. Let\u2019s explore some of the current WWE talent that needs to be featured in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5065,"featured_media":124611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2192,4,3],"tags":[4658,7986,7740,2514,8833,721,1169,8734,7988,8874],"class_list":["post-124606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrestling","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","tag-andrade","tag-bron-breakker","tag-carmelo-hayes","tag-ilja-dragunov","tag-jevon-evans","tag-king-of-the-ring","tag-montez-ford","tag-oba-femi","tag-trick-williams","tag-wwe-king-and-queen-of-the-ring"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5065"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124606"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124606\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/124611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}