Kings of Wrestling

May 6, 2023 marks the first time that the United Kingdom has had a coronation since 1953. It marks the official start for King Charles III. To honor him in a way befitting of wrestling let's look at Ten People who either used the moniker King or won the King of the Ring Tournament.

Mabel

Mabel would be crowned King after winning the 1995 King of the Ring Tournament. The most unique aspect of King Mabel's reign is that the WWF created a belt for him. While King Mabel, his Men on a Mission tag partner would be dubbed Sir Mo. King Mabel would become the WWF's top villain during this period. Mabel would fall down the card after his Summerslam match against Deisel.

Curtis Iaukea

King Iaukea's father retired as a Police Captain for Honolulu; Hi and his grandfather was a royal diplomat for King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. King Curtis Iaukea began his career in 1955. During his career King Iaukea would hold numerous titles for the NWA and travel the globe. Iaukea's wrestling style involved lots of blood something his forehead would make apparent later in his career. King Iaukea's use of blood almost ended his life in 1979 when he caught an infection due to the open wounds and a dirty mat. After retiring from active wrestling in the mid-1980s King Iaukea would become a manager for various wrestlers. King Curtis Iaukea would pass in 2010.

Sheamus

Sheamus is the nineteenth winner of the King of the Ring Tournament. Unfortunately his time as King Sheamus is not as cool as his garb. Sheamus would spend his time feuding with the runner up for the title John Morrison. Luckily Sheamus' legacy will not hinge on this time period as he has many other accolades including being the WWE World Champion and Royal Rumble Winner (2012).

Haku

King Haku would be managed by Bobby the Brain Heenan. Haku would not win this title but have it bestowed upon him when King Harley Race suffered a legitimate stomach injury in 1988. As King Haku would battle Hulk Hogan and then WWF Champion Randy Savage. Harley Race would return and battle Haku over the crown at the 1989 Royal Rumble. King Haku who is a legitimate tough man outside the ring would retain his crown. His reign would end when Hacksaw Jim Duggan would capture the crown from him.

King Booker

King Booker would emerge from the 2006 King of the Ring Tournament. Unlike many of his fellow King of the Ring Winners booker kept the King gimmick for several years. At first he was helped by his royal court which included his wife Queen Sharmel and Sir Regal and Sir Finley. One of the more interesting feuds Booker T had during this period was with Jerry Lawler who Booker declared could not use the King Title. Booker also declared HHH was not able to use the moniker. King Booker would face Lawler in a match where the loser had to crown the winner. Lawler after losing refused to do so. Instead Lawler set up the match where Booker T would lose to a returning HHH. Shortly thereafter, in 2007 Booker and his wife would ask for and be granted a release from their contracts.

Macho Man Randy Savage

With Queen Sherri by his side, Macho Man reigned at King of the WWF from 1989-1991. Macho King would win the crown from Jim Duggan. The highlight of this period would be Macho King's feud with Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire. Wrestlemania VI would see the four square off in the first ever mixed tag match for the WWF. After that Savage would feud with Ultimate Warrior. During this feud, Savage would be forced into retirement. In the aftermath of that loss Queen Sherri would turn on Macho King. A distraught Miss Elizabeth would then reunite with Macho Man.

Harley Race

Harley Race is best know for his multiple reigns as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Race would enter the WWF in 1986 after losing the NWA Heavyweight Championship to Ric Flair at Starcade. This gave WWF a bit of a conundrum, Harley was a well known wrestler but not one created by them. So, to honor is pedigree Race was made King of the Ring. Race would feud with WWF's two biggest babyfaces during this time Hulk Hogan and Jim Duggan. As mentioned earlier Harley would suffer a stomach injury at the hands of Hulk Hogan causing him to forfeit to Haku.

Owen Hart

King of Harts Owen Hart reigned in 1994. Owen primarily used this that summer while feuding with his brother Bret. The two would have a steel cage match at SummerSlam for the WWF title held by Bret Hart. Another iconic match the two had while Owen was king was a lumberjack match with seen fans of Owen briefly think he won the title. The use of the title King of Harts would quickly fade as the year went on . Owen would serve as commentator for the 1996 King of the Ring Tournament.

Jerry Lawler

There is no argument; Jerry the King Lawler is the most iconic sovereign of professional wrestling. Lawler's career would start in Memphis 1970. The last match that can be found for him was against Scott Steiner in March of 2022. The King would feud with actor Andy Kauffman, Bret Hart, The Miz, and Tazz among many others during his six decade career. Although highly decorated outside of the WWE Lawler would never hold a title in that promotion. Jerry Lawler was a part of the 2007 Hall of Fame Class for the WWE.

William Regal

It is most fitting to end the proper portion of this list with a man who hails from the United Kingdom Lord William Regal. Regal would win the crown in 2008 after defeating CM Punk, Regal was the Raw GM at the time and diabolically booked himself an easy victory in round one against Hornswoggle. His second match would be against Finley who passed out from a Regal Stretch. CM Punk would tap to that same move during their match. His reign was short lived as during the coronation Mr. Kennedy interrupted setting up a lose gets fired match. Regal would lose.

Honorable Mention: Steve Austin

It would be a disservice if Steve Austin was not brought up as having won the King of the Ring Tournament. While he may never have used the title of King it was at after winning the tournament in 1996 that Austin coined his iconic Austin 3:16.