WWE Originally Wanted to Run the King of the Ring Tournament for Several Weeks

According to new reports, WWE originally wanted to run the King of the Ring tournament for several weeks following WWE “Extreme Rules.” As previously reported, the King of the Ring has returned, and the opening round of tournament matches began during the April 27 edition of “Monday Night Raw.”

The Semi-Finals and Finals of the King of the Ring will be held on the WWE Network live before the April 28 tapings of “Smackdown.” Beginning an 8pmET, Sheamus will face Neville and R-Truth will compete against Bad News Barrett in the Semi-Finals. The winners of those bouts will advance to the Finals, which will also take place during the live WWE Network broadcast.

Dave Meltzer claims that this was not WWE’s original idea for the return of the King of the Ring. In the latest edition of “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Meltzer says that the tournament was to begin on the WWE Network on April 28, and be held for several weeks following.

Why WWE made the decision to move the tournament to a two-night competition has yet to be revealed, but at some point between April 23 and April 26, the company decided to promote the King of the Ring during the 2015 edition of “Extreme Rules,” and announce that the opening round happen during “RAW” on April 27, and would conclude the following night on the WWE Network in place of WWE “Main Event.”

Editor’s Note:

Welp…I DEFINITELY would have rather had the tournament we’ve been waiting for the last five years run longer, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers.