Gunther crowned WWE King of the Ring

Gunther became WWE royalty with a victory over Randy Orton on Saturday.

At WWE King & Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia, Gunther defeated Orton in the King of the Ring tournament finals. It was Gunther and Orton’s first time ever facing each other one-on-one. Gunther kicked out of an RKO and then used a crucifix pin to beat Orton.

Orton was selling both knee and back injuries. The story was that, after hitting the RKO, Orton couldn’t plant his injured leg on the mat and get leverage. There was also a moment earlier in the match where Orton hit an RKO but was too hurt to immediately go for the pin.

As the King of the Ring winner, Gunther receives a World Heavyweight Championship shot at SummerSlam this August. Damian Priest is the current champion but has a title defense against Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle next month.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque presented Gunther with the King of the Ring crown after he defeated Orton. Gunther then cut a promo vowing to become World Heavyweight Champion.