**King of the Ring (2006)**
**Definition:**
King of the Ring (2006) was a professional wrestling tournament produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as part of its SmackDown! brand. It was the 17th edition of the King of the Ring tournament, held exclusively on the June 2006 episode of SmackDown!, with Booker T winning the tournament.
—
## King of the Ring (2006)
King of the Ring (2006) was the 17th installment of WWE’s King of the Ring tournament, a single-elimination professional wrestling competition that has been a recurring event since its inception in 1985. Unlike previous years where the tournament was held as a pay-per-view event, the 2006 edition was conducted entirely on the June 23, 2006, episode of SmackDown!, WWE’s weekly television program. The tournament featured eight wrestlers from the SmackDown! brand competing for the prestigious King of the Ring crown and the accompanying storyline prestige. Booker T emerged as the winner, defeating Bobby Lashley in the final match.
### Background
The King of the Ring tournament was originally established by WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation, WWF) in 1985 as a special event to crown a „King of the Ring.” The tournament quickly became a significant platform for elevating wrestlers’ careers, with past winners such as Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Triple H going on to achieve major success. Traditionally, the tournament was held as a pay-per-view event from 1993 to 2002, but after the brand extension in 2002, the tournament was held sporadically and sometimes integrated into weekly television programming.
By 2006, WWE had split its roster into two main brands, Raw and SmackDown!, with the King of the Ring tournament being exclusive to SmackDown! that year. The 2006 tournament was notable for being the first King of the Ring tournament held entirely on a single episode of SmackDown!, rather than as a separate pay-per-view event.
### Format and Participants
The 2006 King of the Ring tournament featured eight wrestlers from the SmackDown! roster. The tournament was a single-elimination format, with quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final match all taking place on the same night. The participants were:
– Booker T
– Bobby Lashley
– Finlay
– Matt Hardy
– Chris Benoit
– Paul Burchill
– Rob Van Dam
– The Great Khali
Each match was scheduled for one fall, with the winner advancing to the next round. The tournament was designed to showcase the athleticism and storytelling abilities of the competitors, with the winner receiving the symbolic crown and scepter, as well as the „King of the Ring” moniker.
### Tournament Matches and Results
#### Quarterfinals
– **Booker T vs. Rob Van Dam**
Booker T defeated Rob Van Dam in a competitive match that highlighted both wrestlers’ technical skills and agility. Booker T used his experience and ring savvy to secure the victory.
– **Bobby Lashley vs. Paul Burchill**
Bobby Lashley, known for his strength and power, dominated Paul Burchill, winning decisively to advance to the semifinals.
– **Finlay vs. Matt Hardy**
Finlay, a tough and gritty competitor, defeated Matt Hardy in a hard-fought match that showcased Finlay’s brawling style.
– **Chris Benoit vs. The Great Khali**
Chris Benoit overcame the size and strength advantage of The Great Khali by using his technical wrestling skills and speed to win the match.
#### Semifinals
– **Booker T vs. Finlay**
In the semifinals, Booker T faced Finlay in a match that combined technical wrestling and physicality. Booker T emerged victorious after countering Finlay’s offense and executing his signature moves.
– **Bobby Lashley vs. Chris Benoit**
Bobby Lashley defeated Chris Benoit in a match that pitted Lashley’s power against Benoit’s technical prowess. Lashley’s strength proved to be the deciding factor.
#### Final
– **Booker T vs. Bobby Lashley**
The final match of the tournament saw Booker T face Bobby Lashley. The contest was intense, with both wrestlers displaying their best offense. Booker T ultimately won the match, becoming the 2006 King of the Ring.
### Aftermath and Legacy
Booker T’s victory in the 2006 King of the Ring tournament was a significant moment in his career, reinforcing his status as a top-tier performer in WWE. Following his win, Booker T adopted the „King Booker” persona, complete with regal attire and a royal demeanor, which became a prominent character development in subsequent WWE storylines.
The 2006 tournament also marked a shift in how WWE presented the King of the Ring event. By integrating the tournament into a regular SmackDown! episode rather than a standalone pay-per-view, WWE experimented with new ways to deliver content to its television audience. This format allowed for a more condensed and focused presentation of the tournament but also meant that the event did not receive the same level of promotion or fanfare as previous pay-per-view editions.
While the King of the Ring tournament has continued sporadically in the years following 2006, the 2006 edition remains notable for its unique format and for crowning Booker T, one of WWE’s most respected and accomplished performers.
### Significance in WWE History
The King of the Ring tournament has historically been a launching pad for wrestlers to ascend to main event status. The 2006 tournament, while not a pay-per-view, maintained this tradition by elevating Booker T’s character and providing a platform for other wrestlers like Bobby Lashley and Finlay to showcase their talents.
Booker T’s transformation into King Booker following the tournament was widely praised for its creativity and effectiveness in engaging the audience. The character became a memorable part of WWE programming and contributed to Booker T’s legacy as a multi-time world champion and Hall of Famer.
### Broadcast and Reception
The 2006 King of the Ring tournament was broadcast live on the USA Network as part of the SmackDown! episode on June 23, 2006. The event received mixed reviews from critics and fans. Some praised the quality of the matches and Booker T’s performance, while others felt that the tournament lacked the grandeur and excitement of previous pay-per-view events.
Despite the mixed reception, the tournament succeeded in delivering compelling wrestling action and advancing storylines on the SmackDown! brand. It also demonstrated WWE’s willingness to adapt its traditional events to fit the evolving television landscape.
—
## Summary
King of the Ring (2006) was a professional wrestling tournament held exclusively on WWE SmackDown! on June 23, 2006. Featuring eight competitors from the SmackDown! roster, the tournament culminated in Booker T defeating Bobby Lashley in the final to become the King of the Ring. The event marked a departure from the traditional pay-per-view format and played a key role in Booker T’s character development as King Booker.
—
**Meta Description:**
King of the Ring (2006) was a WWE SmackDown! tournament held on June 23, 2006, where Booker T won the prestigious King of the Ring crown. The event featured eight wrestlers competing in a single-elimination format on one episode.