Top five WWE stars who won their first World Title right after being crowned King of the Ring

King of the Ring tournament helped these superstars reach the main event stage

The King and Queen of the Ring PLE is just around the corner. While ´The Ring General´ Gunther has booked his place in the tournament finals, either one of Randy Orton and Tama Tonga will join him in Saudi Arabia.

The tournament had lost its glory in recent years, but this latest edition promises to be a game-changer, just like past year versions. Many famous superstars in the past have used their ´King of The Ring´ crown as a stepping stone and gone on to capture their first world title. Which stars were they? Let us find out.

5. Kurt Angle

Not many WWE wrestlers could claim such a meteoric rise in their careers as Kurt Angle has. The 1996 Olympic gold medallist entered WWE´s main roster in 2000 and made an instant impact upon his arrival. Angle won the 2000 King of The Ring Tournament by defeating Rikishi in the finals.

This was just the beginning, as he was soon catapulted into the main event picture. It wasn´t long before he captured his first-ever WWE title by defeating ´The Rock´ at the 2000 No Mercy PPV. Setting in motion one of the most storied careers in wrestling folklore.

Also Read: WWE King and Queen of the Ring: List of all winners

4. Triple H

Triple H has been an ever-present name in the WWE ever since his debut in the mid-90s. He first began with a ´French Aristocrat´ and later transitioned into his goofy character in Degeneration-X. Hunter´s career got a necessary push when he won the ´King of The Ring´ crown in 1997.

He was already a certified star, but this win helped him get over with the fans. ´The Cerebral Assassin´ won his first WWE title in 1999 and has had 13 more reigns since. Hunter has continued his association with the company and functions as the ´Chief Content Officer´ currently.

3. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is one of the most dominant performers in the WWE´s rich history. Owing to his collegiate wrestling heroics, he had an impressive resume even before joining the company. Lesnar´s 2002 debut is remembered for the sheer impact that it made. A monstrous heel who left a trail of destruction from wherever he passed.

It did not take long for the ´Beast Incarnate´ to achieve wrestling glory as he won the 2002 King of The Ring Tournament. He then went on to win his first WWE title the same year without breaking any sweat. Lesnar won WWE´s top prize 6 more times later in his career.

2. Edge

Edge was on the WWE roster as early as 1996. But it wasn´t until his ´King of The Ring´ coronation in 2001 that he established himself as a top singles performer. Although this win did not immediately propel him to the main event picture, it sure helped him be in the mix. ´The Rated R Superstar´s´ moment arrived in 2006 when he defeated John Cena to win his maiden WWE title. The King of The Ring tournament has, more often than not, served as the big break that every wrestler craves in their careers. The crown on a performer´s head most likely ends up getting them gold around their waists. The next winner of the iconic tournament will hope for a similar fortune.

Also Read: Top five greatest WWE King of the Ring winners

1. ´Stone Cold´ Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the best wrestlers to ever grace the WWE ring. His career is filled with iconic moments, one after another. But there was a time when ´The Texas Rattlesnake´ was looking to make it big in the company. The King of The Ring crown did just that for him in 1996. After defeating Jake ´The Snake´ Roberts in the finals, Austin would go on to do an impromptu promo.

One that led to the coining of the phrase ´Austin 3:16,´ which became a buzz among the fans. This skyrocketed Austin´s career straight to the main event scene as he won both the 1997 and 1998 Royal Rumble matches. The latter of which led to him winning his first-ever WWE title at WrestleMania 14.

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