King & Queen of The Ring Tournament Kicks Off On WWE RAW

However, the night’s first segment was meant to highlight Priest’s first successful title defense since successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania and his Judgment Day cohorts. The group walked to the ring with their music playing in the background of commentary announcing the RAW side of the King of the Ring bracket for both the men’s and women’s tourney.

Just before The Judgement Day entered the ring, Michael Cole told viewers that Drew McIntyre was not medically cleared to compete tonight, thus forfeiting his spot in the qualifier round against Finn Balor. This was a significant piece of news because, at the end of TJD’s promo, RAW General Manager Adam Pierce announced that Balor’s new opponent would be the same Jey Uso that was unsuccessful against Priest on Saturday.

King of the Ring Kicks Off On RAW!

The first match to take place in the qualifying round would be a spontaneous one between Uso and Balor, but the other three matches were announced. With eight men and eight women vying to qualify for RAW’s side of the KOTR bracket, another eight men and eight women will compete in qualifiers for SmackDown—those matches have not yet been announced.

Fans remember the KOTR fondly, and there was a time in WWE when winning the KOTR meant something in way of a future push in the company. Bret Hart won the KOTR in 1993 and went on to become the world champ the following WrestleMania. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin famously gave birth to Austin 3:16 after defeating Jake “The Snake” Roberts for the crown.

So, with Jey, Gunther, Ricochet, and Dragunov representing the side of the bracket that’s never won a world title and Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, McIntyre, and Rey Mysterio representing the former title holders’ side, a crown this year could send someone into a new stratosphere.

CM Punk Had A Weak…END

CM Punk arrived to the ring late, and just as McIntyre was pulling out in his car to leave the arena out of frustration from Pierce’s decision to bench him in the King of the Ring and put him on the injured list. He was disappointed to learn he’d just missed McIntyre and demanded his music be played as he made a beeline to the ring—he ‘had something to say.’

He mocked McIntyre and explained how he injured his shoulder in the Royal Rumble match and how a DDT from McIntyre caused it. Then, he threatened to hijack the show until McIntyre returned to face him.

King of the Ring Qualifiers (RAW Bracket)

MEN:

• Jey Uso vs Finn Balor (Uso wins by pinfall)

Uso made the most of his surprise entrance into the KOTR and took full advantage of an unsuspecting Balor. The match went back and forth, but McIntyre, reeling from being taken out of the match against his will, made his way ringside with intentions of costing his replacement, Jey, the match. However, the interference backfired and helped Jey to secure the win (oops).

• Dragunov vs Ricochet (Dragunov wins by pinfall)

Fresh off winning the inaugural SPEED championship, Ricochet was in prime position to keep the momentum going that he’s had since the winning streak he started over The Judgement Day. Dragunov has also received high praise as of late, and even Triple H has had positive things to say about his future. At this point, the fact that he wasn’t cut is a good enough sign. Dragunov was able to pull off the victory in a very entertaining match and then shook Ricochet’s hand. He advances to the second round and faces off against Jey Uso.

• Gunther vs Sheamus (Gunther wins by pinfall)

Before the main event KOTR qualifier between Gunther and Sheamus, Kofi Kingston gave an impassioned backstage promo where he vowed to avenge his New Day brother and last year’s KOTR winner, Xavier Woods. Woods said he’d win his second consecutive KOTR until Gunther injured him. However, Woods acknowledges that he must get past the formidable Rey Mysterio.

Sheamus, who has made notable strides in his physique in a short amount of time, did not come to lose, but he was outgunned from the beginning. Without anyone watching his back since returning, Imperium’s Kaiser targeted the knee of Sheamus, allowing Gunther to do the same with a Boston Crab.

The style of this match was brutal, much like their previous matchups, and Sheamus fought like hell, but in the end, Gunther proved as unbeatable as he has been over the past few years. Now, we look forward to next week’s matchup between Kofi and Mysterio to see who gets to face Gunther in the second round.

WOMEN:

• Iyo Sky VS Natalya (Sky wins by pinfall)

Sky made relatively easy work of Natalya. The former RAW women’s champion hit her Moon Sault for the victory. After the match, Dakota Kai, alongside Damage CTRL, called out the team that beat them at Backlash, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair

• Zoey Stark VS Ivy Nile (Stark wins by pinfall)

Both women have shown glimpses of superiority over the last several months, but a Queen of the Ring crown would really help propel either superstar. Nile was particularly impressive, and she showed real powerhouse strength in the match. Nile landed a huge bulldog from the top rope but lost momentum after attempting another high-risk maneuver. Stark hit the Z360 for the win.

• Lyra Valkyria vs. Dakota Kai (Valkyria wins by pinfall)

Valkyria delivered a quality performance and looked great against the roster veteran in Kai. Valkyria hit a beautiful northern lights suplex, while Kai resulted in a more ruthless style of offense. Valkyria hit the Night Wing for the win and will face Stark in the second round.

Other Action and Tidbits

• IC champ Sami Zayn interrupted a match between the two men who have made his life tough lately, Bronson Reed and Chad Gable. He came out and caused a DQ, but it was Reed who was left standing at the end. Adam Pierce confronted Reed in Gorilla and called for a title shot. Zayn was interviewed later and called for a triple threat match against Reed and Gable at the King/Queen of the Ring in Saudi.
• Becky had an in-ring segment with Michael Cole. During the interview, she put over all the new talent coming from NXT following the draft. She was interrupted by current Money in the Bank briefcase holder, Liv Morgan, to continue their feud.