King of the Ring 1988
DiBiase defeats Randy Savage, Ken Patera and Brutus Beefcake to claim the crown at King of the Ring 1988.
I identified with Randy a lot. We both had a lot in common, in that we were both buys who grew up in this industry whose fathers were wrestlers. I’ve always believed that for kids who that grew up in the industry that it’s not just a job, but it’s something they fell in love with and something they’ve known all their lives. There’s a certain camaraderie there. In a word, Randy was charismatic.
King of the Ring 1987
The third King of the Ring tournament is held. Randy Savage defeats King Kong Bundy, Nikolai Volkoff, Haku and Rick Martel to claim the crown.
King of the Ring 1986
The second King of the Ring tournament is held. Harley Race overcomes Roddy Piper, Don Muraco, Paul Orndoff and Pedro Morales to claim the crown. Race comments.
In the tournament itself, I had to advance four times. Getting by Morales at the end was something special. He had been World Wrestling Federation Champion. He was the guy who I really wanted to face to make the King of the Ring mean something. I think overall, it did real well.
King of the Ring
The inaugural King of the Ring tournament is held. Tito Santana, The Iron Sheik, Ricky Steamboat, Don Muraco and Paul Orndoff try to capture the crown. Muraco defeated Iron Sheik in the final round to claim the crown. Muraco comments.
It’s always an honor to be the first. The tournament that year was at the Patriots’ old stadium outdoors, so it was a big show and very cool.