For the first time, the top seed did not advance, as Jon Moxley defeated “Macho Man” Randy Savage in the final match of Group D to claim the crown. Savage was the winner of the first King of the Ring tournament but he won’t get a chance to win a second crown. Moxley was the #2 seed in this group, so it wasn’t the biggest of upsets.
Records:
1. Jon Moxley 5-0
2. Randy Savage 4-1
3. Ricky Steamboat, Jim Duggan 2-3
4. Billy Jack Haynes, Rob Van Dam 1-4
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Round 1
Jon Moxley d. Ricky Steamboat by pinfall — This match went back-and-forth, but Moxley had the better of it for the majority of the contest. Steamboat failed to hit many big moves. Moxley’s second Death Rider finished Steamboat off.
Randy Savage d. Rob Van Dam by pinfall — RVD got one move in early, but it was otherwise all Savage, and he quickly polished off RVD with the Top Rope Elbow Drop.
Jim Duggan d. Billy Jack Haynes by pinfall — This one saw a lot of action in a short amount of time. Haynes kicked out of one Running Tackle and turned it around to put a Full Nelson on Hacksaw. But Duggan escaped, hit another Running Tackle, and it was over.
Round 2
Jon Moxley d. Billy Jack Haynes by pinfall — Haynes was on fire early, locking a Full Nelson in twice. Moxley didn’t tap, however, and battled back. A couple of cheap shots and heelish rest breaks later, and Moxley landed the Death Rider for the win.
Rob Van Dam d. Ricky Steamboat by pinfall — RVD got some hits in early, and won this one quickly after a Five-Star Frog Splash.
Randy Savage d. Jim Duggan by pinfall — This one was unexpectedly difficult for Savage. Hacksaw got the early advantage and wore Savage down. But, he couldn’t find a finisher. Savage got a second wind, turned the tables and won it after a Top Rope Elbow Drop.
Round 3
Randy Savage d. Ricky Steamboat by pinfall — There was little drama in this Wrestlemania 3 rematch. Savage hit some big moves early to hurt Steamboat. Steamboat showed some grit with a pair of kickouts, but couldn’t get up the third time after a Top Rope Elbow Drop.
Billy Jack Haynes d. Rob Van Dam by submission — Each time the action moved outside the ring, it was to Haynes’ advantage. His power moves gave him the edge, and RVD couldn’t escape the Full Nelson.
Jon Moxley d. Jim Duggan by pinfall — Moxley showed no mercy, dominating this match and winning quickly after a Paradigm Shift.
Round 4
Ricky Steamboat d. Jim Duggan by pinfall — Steamboat finally picked up a win, but it wasn’t easy. It was all Duggan early, but Steamboat recovered, fought back and hit the Flying Cross Body for the win.
Jon Moxley d. Rob Van Dam by pinfall — Moxley had another fairly easy match here. There were a number of reversals, but RVD couldn’t do any damage when he was on offense. Mox finished him off with the Death Rider.
Randy Savage d. Billy Jack Haynes by pinfall — Savage beat Haynes even quicker than Moxley beat RVD, hitting a few moves and landing the Top Rope Elbow Drop.
Round 5
Ricky Steamboat d. Billy Jack Haynes by pinfall — Steamboat survived a brutal battle. Haynes locked on a Full Nelson a couple of times, but Steamboat escaped. The second time, Haynes thought that Steamboat had tapped out and so he began to celebrate. But the match continued, and when Haynes went for another Full Nelson, Steamboat countered, then landed his own finisher, a Flying Cross Body, to win it.
Jim Duggan d. Rob Van Dam by pinfall — Duggan struck early, and then it was RVD’s turn to inflict damage. The match went back and forth, each wrestler exhausted and looking for a finisher. RVD went for a power move, but Hacksaw countered, then lined him up for a Flying Tackle to end it.
Jon Moxley d. Randy Savage by pinfall — The two top-seeded wrestlers, both undefeated, met with the group championship on the line. Savage was on fire early and Moxley looked like he would go down quickly. But Mox battled back, turning the tables and wearing down Savage. Moxley hit a Death Rider, and Savage barely kicked out. Savage got a second wind, but couldn’t find a finishing move. Moxley beat down Savage again and hit another Death Rider to pull off the win.
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