King of the Ring First-Round Matches 2014
Results
Brian Christopher pinned Ric Flair after a sunset flip in 0:01:26.
Rating: ** 1/2
Brian Christopher reaches the ropes after being trapped for 5 seconds.
Ric Flair puts Brian Christopher in a sleeperhold.
Brian Christopher is struggling to reach the ropes.
Brian Christopher reaches the ropes after being trapped for 5 seconds.
Ric Flair executes a roundhouse right on Brian Christopher.
Ric Flair takes Brian Christopher down with a back suplex.
Ric Flair goes for a headlock takedown, but Brian Christopher counters it with
a back suplex.
Brian Christopher goes for a front facelock, but Ric Flair counters it with
a backdrop.
In turn, Brian Christopher counters it with a sunset flip.
James Beard counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is wildly cheering Brian Christopher with only a few scattered boos
audible.
The winner is Brian Christopher. Time of match: 0:01:26
Ric Flair announced his immediate retirement to a weeping crowd.
RF = Ric Flair
BC = Brian Christopher
[ Thousands of fans weep in shock as a teary-eyed Ric Flair seizes the
microphone. ]
RF: Ladies and gentlemen... this is the hardest moment of my entire life. Only
two weeks ago my best friend in the world Arn Anderson and I got back
together and we were determined to as a unit become tag team champions one
more time. We, the Horsemen, wanted to prove that we were still riding
high. Then here comes Vince McMahon and puts us in this tournament which we
wanted no part in... and now I'm forced to retire. Don't hold it against
Brian... [ Flair starts crying ] he still has his whole career infront of
him and only tried to survive.
BC: Ric... you know that I have all the respect in the world for you. My win
tonight was nothing more than a fluke win but it was a win nonetheless. You
are a legend but as all things go, every legend has to face the reality at
some point that the end of the road is here. This, Ric, is the end of the
road for you. I am the future of this business - you are its past. Now
accept your defeat like a man and stop weeping like some pussy.
[ Brian Christopher leaves the ring and walks back to the dressing room amidst
a thunderous chorus of boos. ]
RF: You fans have given me the time of my life... I'm going to miss you...
Vince McMahon... you said that we would have to retire at the end of the
year. Take your ultimatum and shove it ! I'm leaving now and with my head
up !
.
Rating: ** 3/4
Diamond Dallas Page executes a jab on Dean Malenko.
Diamond Dallas Page goes for a back suplex, but Dean Malenko counters it with
a go-behind.
Dean Malenko takes Diamond Dallas Page down with a back suplex.
Dean Malenko executes the Texas Cloverleaf on Diamond Dallas Page.
Diamond Dallas Page summons one last burst of energy.
James Beard asks Diamond Dallas Page if he's had enough.
Diamond Dallas Page shakes his head.
James Beard asks Diamond Dallas Page if he's had enough.
Diamond Dallas Page shakes his head.
James Beard tells Diamond Dallas Page to respond or he'll stop the fight.
Diamond Dallas Page nods.
Diamond Dallas Page is inching his way towards the ropes.
Diamond Dallas Page tries to fight the pain.
Diamond Dallas Page submits after 30 seconds.
The crowd is giving Dean Malenko a standing ovation.
The winner is Dean Malenko. Time of match: 0:05:23
Rating: **** 1/4
They lock up.
Arn Anderson nails Ken Shamrock with a DDT.
There are lots of chants for Arn Anderson.
Arn Anderson is going for the pin.
James Beard counts: One, two, KICKOUT.
Ken Shamrock executes a takeover suplex on Arn Anderson.
Ken Shamrock goes for an armlock hammerlock submission, but Arn Anderson
blocks it.
Arn Anderson executes a lariat on Ken Shamrock.
Arn Anderson whips Ken Shamrock into the ropes, but Ken Shamrock reverses it.
Ken Shamrock nails Arn Anderson with a legsweep.
Ken Shamrock whips Arn Anderson into the turnbuckle, but Arn Anderson
reverses it.
Ken Shamrock comes back, but is met with a clothesline.
Arn Anderson uses a flying clothesline on Ken Shamrock.
The crowd is really behind Arn Anderson.
Arn Anderson nails Ken Shamrock with a flying fistdrop.
The crowd is really behind Arn Anderson.
[ portion of match removed ]
Ken Shamrock uses a Yakuza kick on Arn Anderson.
Ken Shamrock puts Arn Anderson in a full nelson.
Arn Anderson breaks the hold after 5 seconds.
Arn Anderson uses a bodyslam on Ken Shamrock.
Ken Shamrock nails Arn Anderson with a DDT.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Ken Shamrock.
Ken Shamrock is going for the pin.
James Beard counts: One, two, thr... kickout.
Ken Shamrock executes the Ankle Lock Submission on Arn Anderson.
Arn Anderson is valiantly trying to break the hold.
Arn Anderson is writhing in pain.
Arn Anderson submits after 12 seconds.
The crowd erupts.
The winner is Ken Shamrock. Time of match: 0:09:53
Rating: ** 1/2
Ahmed Johnson runs into the ropes.
Hayabusa hits Ahmed Johnson with a clothesline.
Ahmed Johnson falls out of the ring.
Tim White counts: one, two, Ahmed Johnson reenters the ring.
Hayabusa whips Ahmed Johnson into the ropes.
Hayabusa executes a rolling kick on Ahmed Johnson.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Hayabusa.
Hayabusa sets up Ahmed Johnson on the table.
Hayabusa executes a shooting star press through the table.
The table is broken in half.
The crowd erupts.
Hayabusa takes Ahmed Johnson down with a bodyslam.
Hayabusa nails Ahmed Johnson with a standing moonsault.
Tim White counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is giving Hayabusa a standing ovation.
The winner is Hayabusa. Time of match: 0:04:36
Rating: *** 1/4
Brian Pillman goes for a powerslam, but Kendo Ka Shin counters it with
a swinging neckbreaker.
The cheers for Kendo Ka Shin are drowning out the boos.
Kendo Ka Shin goes for an elbowdrop, but Brian Pillman rolls out of the way.
Brian Pillman runs into the ropes.
Brian Pillman hits Kendo Ka Shin with a kick.
Brian Pillman hits Kendo Ka Shin with a vertical suplex.
Brian Pillman goes for a piledriver, but Kendo Ka Shin counters it with
a kneebar.
Brian Pillman is inching his way towards the ropes.
Brian Pillman tries to fight the pain.
Brian Pillman submits after 16 seconds.
All of a sudden, the boos are turning into almost unanimous cheers.
The winner is Kendo Ka Shin. Time of match: 0:15:00
Rating: -3/4*
Shinjiro Otani whips Tiger Jeet Singh into the ropes.
Tiger Jeet Singh hits Shinjiro Otani with a clothesline.
Tiger Jeet Singh goes for a boot choke, but Shinjiro Otani blocks it.
Shinjiro Otani goes for a dropkick, but Tiger Jeet Singh side-steps and
Shinjiro Otani only hits air.
Tiger Jeet Singh goes for a side headlock, but Shinjiro Otani counters it with
a back suplex.
The crowd erupts.
Shinjiro Otani uses a springboard dropkick on Tiger Jeet Singh.
Shinjiro Otani executes the Dragon Suplex on Tiger Jeet Singh.
James Beard counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is going into a frenzy.
The winner is Shinjiro Otani. Time of match: 0:10:34
(Tatsumi Fujinami tore his right calf muscle. He will be out for approximately 7 cards.)
Rating: ****
Tatsumi Fujinami executes the Dragon Sleeper on Jushin Liger.
Jushin Liger is inching his way towards the ropes.
Jushin Liger is close to passing out from the pain.
Danny Davis asks Jushin Liger if he's still there.
Jushin Liger nods.
Danny Davis checks Jushin Liger's arm.
He lifts it... it falls.
He lifts it... it falls.
He lifts it... it stays up !
Jushin Liger fights his way out of the hold after 46 seconds.
Jushin Liger hits a tiger suplex on Tatsumi Fujinami.
Danny Davis counts: One, two, three.
Tatsumi Fujinami complains about a fast count.
The crowd is going into a frenzy.
The winner is Jushin Liger. Time of match: 0:19:35
Rating: * 3/4
Ted DiBiase enters the ring and hits Rocky Maivia with a chair.
Before Ted DiBiase connects, Rocky Maivia moves out of the way.
Ted DiBiase hits Hollywood Hogan.
Rocky Maivia throws Ted DiBiase over the top rope.
The crowd is going into a frenzy.
Hollywood Hogan is out cold.
Rocky Maivia goes for the pin.
There is no referee to count.
Eric Bischoff enters the ring and hits Rocky Maivia with a chair.
The ring is quickly filling up with debris.
Hollywood Hogan goes for the pin.
There is no referee to count.
Danny Davis is back on the job.
Hollywood Hogan pulls the tights.
Danny Davis counts: One, two, three.
Hollywood Hogan is being booed out of the building.
The winner is Hollywood Hogan. Time of match: 0:15:16
Rating: ****
Dan Severn whips Val Venis into the turnbuckle.
Dan Severn runs shoulder-first into the corner, but Val Venis
moves out of the way.
Val Venis uses a punch on Dan Severn.
Val Venis nails Dan Severn with a bodyslam.
Val Venis executes the Money Shot on Dan Severn.
Earl Hebner counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is giving Val Venis a standing ovation.
The winners are Bret Hart and Val Venis. Time of match: 0:04:53
Rating: **** 1/4
Interview
Cactus Jack and Sabu challenged anybody to a title match.
CJ = Cactus Jack
SW = Steve Williams
CJ: Awwwww... isn't it tough luck that our opponents for tonight, Chono and
Kawada are stuck somewhere on Narita Airport waiting for their working visa
to arrive ? Any other takers ? Maybe the has-beens Flair and Anderson whose
butts we already kicked two weeks ago ? How about the Du-du-du-dudleys ?
They aren't here tonight ? Oh, darn. Isn't there anybody in this arena who
dares get in the ring with us ?
[ Thirty seconds go by with nothing at all happening. ]
CJ: Well then, it seems like we're done for tonight, partner. Let's get go---
[ Steve Williams comes walking down to the ring in street clothes. ]
CJ: Come on, Stevie... I told ya to wait for me in the lobby. We'll go drink a
few beers in a couple of minutes.
[ Williams doesn't even acknowledge Cactus' comments, enters the ring and grabs
the mike. ]
SW: Cut the crap. You wanted challengers - well, here we are.
CJ: "We" ? Oh, sorry, I forgot... you're a Royal Highness and always address
yourself in the third person. Or do you have a frog in your pocket ?
SW: "WE" refers to my partner and yours truly.
CJ: Oh, right... stupid me... good ol' Ricky Steiner is coming back from his
injury. Well then, bring him along... we have no time to waste.
SW: No, Micky Mouse... that's not the way we operate. Rick Steiner promised a
few months ago that he was going to find me a new partner who can fill his
void adequately, and here we are.
CJ: Boo-hoo... now we're scared ! Being that you're from Oklahoma, that pretty
much limits your possible choices to... ummm... Bill Watts and Jim Ross.
Now *that* is going to be a hard title defense.
SW: Well, you got that right - it's gonna be a hard title defense for you
tonight. My partner is none other than.... STAN "THE LARIAT" HANSEN !!!!
[ Stan Hansen comes running down the aisle, runs into the ring and lariats
Cactus Jack and Sabu who roll outside the ring to regroup. The match then
starts. ]
(Cactus Jack and Sabu retained the WWF World Tag Team Titles.)
Rating: *** 1/2
Stan Hansen enters the ring, but gets cut off.
Sabu and Cactus Jack whip Steve Williams into the ropes.
They attempt to hit Steve Williams with a double clothesline, but he counters
it with a duck-down move.
Steve Williams hits them with a double clothesline.
Cactus Jack leaves the ring.
Steve Williams whips Sabu into the ropes.
Steve Williams executes a short lariat on Sabu.
Danny Davis counts: One, two, Paul E. Dangerously distracts Danny Davis.
Danny Davis disqualifies Cactus Jack and Sabu.
The boos are resurfacing again.
The winners are Steve Williams and Stan Hansen. Time of match: 0:16:40
(Chris Benoit retained the WWF World Title.)
Rating: *****
Chris Benoit uses flying headscissors on Rob Van Dam.
Chris Benoit nails Rob Van Dam with a snap mare.
Chris Benoit goes for a belly-to-belly suplex, but Rob Van Dam counters it with
a punch.
Rob Van Dam hits a savate kick on Chris Benoit.
Rob Van Dam takes Chris Benoit down with a single-leg takedown.
Rob Van Dam leaves the ring.
He returns with a chair.
Rob Van Dam runs into the ropes and springs off the chair.
Rob Van Dam nails Chris Benoit with a spinning leg lariat.
Rob Van Dam goes for a frog splash, but Chris Benoit rolls out of the way.
Chris Benoit nails Rob Van Dam with a Northern Lights suplex.
James Beard counts: One, two, three.
The crowd erupts.
The winner is Chris Benoit. Time of match: 0:33:16
Match Observations:
An era has ended.
Thanks to Vince McMahon's stupid stipulation that the losers of all first-round
matches would have to leave the WWF at the year's end, "The Nature Boy" Ric
Flair has decided to hang up his boots effective immediately - no fanfare, no
retirement ceremony, but a lot of bitterness.
Bitterness by the fans towards Vince McMahon, bitterness by Ric Flair towards
Vince McMahon, bitterness by the fans towards Brian Christopher for his comments
about Flair.
Flair isn't the only one who's getting the proverbial axe, though. Arn Anderson,
another legend in his own right, will also have to retire, as will Diamond
Dallas Page and Brian Pillman - thus definitely ending either incarnation of
the Four Horsemen.
Ahmed Johnson and Tiger Jeet Singh's losses weren't unexpected and Fujinami's
loss isn't one of great importance since he was a guest anyway but it is very
unfortunate that The Rock will also have to bite the bullet at the end of the
year.
At least not everything is lost in the latter case, though, as federation
officials are carefully examining the footage from the ending of the Hogan vs
Maivia match.
Bret Hart and Val Venis may be turning into the sensation of the decade. A tag
team title match is imminent. Who the tag champs will be ? That will be decided
at the King of the Ring, although this unconventional team should be able to
easily adjust to anyone else.
Vader has also made it clear that it will be several months before he makes his
WWF return as his injuries seemingly haven't healed all that well yet.
Chris Benoit and Rob Van Dam put up an absolute wrestling clinic tonight. It's
only a matter of time until Van Dam carries the federation gold. However, on
this night, Chris Benoit was the better man. Al Snow is next.
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