Now that we have our 2024 wrestling royalty, did WWE crown the best King and Queen of the Ring with Nia Jax and Gunther?
More: The 2024 King And Queen Of The Ring Report Card Is Here!
Heading into this year’s tournament, there were plenty of interesting possible directions. Perhaps the most popular guess was that we’d. see Jey Uso and Tama Tonga clash. But that did not happen. Jey Uso didn’t make it to the finals, nor did his Bloodline rival. On the women’s side, there were some interesting options, though none quite so obvious as that family drama. When we got to the Queen of the Ring finals, we had a vibrant newcomer in Lyra Valkyria battling an imposing veteran in Nia Jax. On the King side, we could look forward to Randy Orton and Gunther. Neither match would disappoint.
So did WWE do right by crowning it’s newest royalty? I do think so, and here’s why.
Long Live King Gunther
Yes, this final ended in a wee bit of controversy. Perhaps we will see Gunther and Randy Orton battle at down the line for the crown? But either way, the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time makes a fine King. Granted, a royal Viper would have been a great choice too. After Triple H confirmed that the winners of the King and Queen tournaments got title shots at SummerSlam, things really got interesting. Now, odds are we get Gunther and Cody Rhodes in Cleveland. All I can think about with regards to that? When Rhodes returned for the 2023 Royal Rumble, it was his first big action following his pectoral injury. And he had time to go one on one with a man who’s chops could probably make a compelling finisher: Gunther.
Point being? The story writes itself, I think. Hard not to be excited for that match-up. Something else to just keep in mind? SummerSlam is August 3rd, 2024. The first-ever Bash At Berlin is later that month. What would be better than Gunther winning a title in a spot not far from his homeland? How about him defending his newly won belt?
Plus, seeing how he’s already carried himself ever since he arrived? Calling him king just fits him perfectly.
All Hail The Queen
And I don’t mean Charlotte Flair, though she should be back soon enough.
Had Lyra Valkria won in Jeddah, the idea of her versus Liv Morgan doesn’t move many needles just yet. Maybe it should, but it doesn’t. After Becky Lynch dropped the title to open the main part of the show, the 2024 Queen was probably easy to guess. To be fair, even before the opening bell, it was hard to bet against Nia Jax. Let’s be blunt: Jax has been a wrecking ball since she came back to WWE. Has it always been perfect? Not at all. But she’s been fairly dominant, and her time is now.
Which means Bayley is probably on borrowed time. That’s the odds on match, right? As much as fans were happy to see Bayley turn face and win the gold, it is hard to imagine her reign lasting past August. Perhaps Jax squashes Bayley, much like Brock Lesnar did to John Cena. A decisive title win could be superb to set up the next six months (read: into the Road to WrestleMania). Plus maybe if the role model is squashed, we could eventually get back the Hugger?
But, to close this one out? I am quite happy with WWE’s new Queen and King of the Ring.
