WWE confirms King and Queen of the Ring set for Saudi Arabia after eight-year absence

It has been eight years since Wade Barrett became King of the Ring at the last standalone Premium Live Event to carry the name - now WWE has confirmed Saudi Arabia will host its comeback

12:04, 07 Mar 2023

WWE diva Natalya on SmackDown before teeth knockout

WWE is reviving one of its most memorable Premium Live Events, with King and Queen of the Ring confirmed as taking place later this year.

King of the Ring was a staple part of the WWE pay per view calendar back in the 1990s and helped launch the careers of some big names.

Following its success as a non-televised live event during the 1980s, WWE aired the first King of the Ring showcase event in 1993 in Ohio.

The maiden tournament winner was Bret Hart, who went on to firmly establish himself one of the greatest stars in the history of the industry.

The years that followed saw his legendary brother Owen crowed King, while the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H also scooped the same honour later in the decade.

King of the Ring was removed from the annual calendar after Brock Lesnars win in 2002 and has made sporadic comebacks since then with William Regal and Sheamus among those to taste glory.

[Wade Barrett won the last standalone King of the Ring pay per view]

Wade Barrett won the last standalone King of the Ring pay per view(Image: WWE)

2015 was the last time the extravaganza was held on Pay Per view or staged as a Premium Live Event to use WWEs term that year seeing Brit Wade Barrett take the crown.

WWE extended the brand further in 2021 to include the Queens Crown Tournament where female stars like Liv Morgan, Carmella and Natalya all competed before Zelina Vega became the first victor.

Now, for the first time in eight years, the company has confirmed the event will return as a Premium Live Event and be known more simply as King and Queen of the Ring.

WWE and The General Entertainment Authority announced the show will take place at the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

[WWE has confirmed King and Queen of the Ring will take place in May]

WWE has confirmed King and Queen of the Ring will take place in May(Image: WWE)

No news has emerged as to which stars will compete, but an announcement did add that King and Queen of the Ring would appear alongside a host of additional exciting events happening in Jeddah throughout the year.

Vegas 2021 triumph took place at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following previous rounds airing on episodes of Raw and SmackDown.

Just a couple of months after King and Queen of the Ring, WWE will air another huge Premium Live Event overseas when Money in the Bank takes place in London.

The popular and chaotic show heads to the UK on Saturday, July 1, along with SmackDown on the night prior on Friday, June 30.

Both emanate from Londons O2 arena, with further details expected to emerge in the coming months.

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