King Of The Ring Winner Crowned In Controversial Fashion

Gunther is the new King of the Ring, securing a pin over Randy Orton and earning an upcoming title shot at SummerSlam. The match ended in a bit of a controversial manner, which likely wasn’t expected.

How The Match Unfolded

The highly anticipated King of the Ring final between Randy Orton and Gunther lived up to its billing, delivering a thrilling contest marked by dramatic twists and turns. The match began with Orton’s deliberate and drawn-out entrance, seemingly designed to play mind games with the stoic Ring General, Gunther. Despite Orton’s attempts at psychological warfare, Gunther remained unphased, and the match commenced with a series of methodical lock-ups that allowed the crowd to rally behind The Viper.

As the match progressed, the first thunderous chops from Gunther appeared to only infuriate Orton, igniting a fierce exchange of strikes between the two competitors. Orton attempted an early RKO, but his miss left him momentarily winded, providing Gunther with an opportunity to seize control. Gunther’s offense was relentless and strategic, focusing on Orton’s lower back and methodically dismantling his opponent. Each time Orton seemed poised for a comeback, Gunther executed another precise move to halt his momentum.

Orton eventually managed to land a power slam, setting up his vintage draping DDT. However, his exhaustion prevented him from making an immediate cover. Drawing energy from the crowd, Orton prepared for another RKO, only to be met with a bodyslam from Gunther. Climbing to the top rope, Gunther attempted a high-risk splash; although he slipped, he still managed to connect. His second splash attempt missed, allowing Orton to counter with an RKO, but the sluggish cover enabled Gunther to roll toward the ropes and avoid a pinfall.

The action spilled outside the ring, with Orton delivering two back suplexes to Gunther on the announce table. Rolling in and out of the ring to break the referee’s count, Orton momentarily regained control until Gunther countered with a backbody drop on the floor. Orton then hit a third suplex onto the announce table, barely making it back into the ring as Gunther saw another opening. Applying a half-crab, Gunther appeared to have Orton on the brink of submission. In a stunning turn, Orton delivered a second RKO from out of nowhere, yet Gunther astonishingly kicked out.

A Controversial Finish

The match concluded in a controversial fashion, as Gunther rolled up Orton for a surprise pin. However, replays showed that Orton’s shoulder was not fully on the mat, casting a shadow over Gunther’s victory. As Gunther celebrated his King of the Ring triumph, the questionable finish may go unmentioned, but Corey Graves did acknowledge the awkward pin.

Gunther will now receive a title shot at SummerSlam.