Gunther Beats Randy Orton to Win WWE King of the Ring 2024

Gunther defeated Randy Orton at King and Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to win the 2024 WWE King of the Ring tournament and earn a world title opportunity at SummerSlam.

Orton hit Gunther with an RKO in the closing stages of the match, but after having his injured knee attacked throughout the contest, he was unable to get a strong cover, which allowed The Ring General to beat him with a crucifix pin.

While The Viper's shoulder appeared to be up on the pin attempt, the official didn't see it, and Gunther was ruled the winner.

WWE hadn't held King and Queen of the Ring tournaments since 2021, but the concept was revived this year, and the tourneys commenced following Backlash.

Gunther wasn't seen on WWE programming for a few weeks after Sami Zayn ended his historic 666-day reign as intercontinental champion at WrestleMania 40, but upon returning on Raw, he made it clear that his sights were set on becoming King of the Ring.

Not surprisingly, the Austrian bulldozed his way through the Raw side of the bracket, beating Sheamus in the first round, Kofi Kingston in the quarterfinals and Jey Uso in the semifinals.

Gunther was the heavy favorite to represent Raw in the King of the Ring finals, but things were a bit less clear on the SmackDown side of the bracket.

Orton outlasted former rival AJ Styles in the first round and took down up-and-coming star and recent NXT call-up Carmelo Hayes in the quarters. Then, in the last four, he handed new Bloodline member Tama Tonga his first WWE loss.

With Orton's win on the first episode of SmackDown to ever take place in Saudi Arabia, the stage was officially set for a King of the Ring finals clash with Gunther.

Since getting called up to the main roster from NXT in 2022, The Ring General has essentially been an unstoppable and unbeatable force.

The loss to Zayn at WrestleMania was his first in a singles match by pinfall or submission since his call-up, but WWE seemed determined to reestablish him as a threat immediately after the defeat.

Gunther was the clear front-runner to win the tournament as a result, and he proved why at King and Queen of the Ring by beating Orton to take the crown.

---

Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below.