Who Should Be Crowned King of the Ring: Analyzing Top Contenders To Headline SummerSlam

Barry Jordan
Jun 8
4 min read

The King of the Ring tournament has always been a pivotal moment in WWE, launching careers and setting the stage for future championship storylines. This year, the winner will move on toe main event SummerSlam in Minneapolis. All contenders bring a unique case for why they deserve the crown, but also faces valid reasons why they might not be the best choice right now. This post breaks down the arguments for and against my top 3 contenders and explains why only one of them stands out as the best pick to win King of the Ring.

Oba Femi Entrance — Oba Femi on his way to the ring. Courtesy of WWE

Oba Femi: The Rising Star with Main Event Potential

Oba Femi has quickly become a fan favorite. His connection with the crowd is undeniable, and his energy in the ring makes him a natural to push toward the main event scene. Fans have responded well to his charisma and in-ring skills, which makes him a strong candidate for King of the Ring.

Reasons to Crown Oba Femi

Strong fan support: Oba Femi’s popularity is growing rapidly, and winning King of the Ring would capitalize on this momentum.
Main event trajectory: WWE seems to be positioning him for bigger matches, and this tournament win could be the perfect stepping stone.
Fresh face: He represents a new generation of talent, which could bring fresh storylines and excitement.

Reasons Against Oba Femi

Timing concerns: It might be too soon for him to take this step. WWE could benefit from letting him develop more before pushing him into the spotlight.
Big match readiness: Facing top stars like Roman Reigns or Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania might be premature for Oba Femi. He needs more experience before those high-stakes matches.

Dominik Mysterio: Capitalizing on Momentum

Dominik Mysterio has been climbing the ranks steadily. His recent big win against John Cena gave him a significant boost, showing he can hang with the best. Winning King of the Ring could solidify his place as a serious contender.

Reasons to Crown Dominik Mysterio

Rising star: His steady climb shows promise, and the tournament win would highlight his growth.
Big win momentum: Defeating John Cena for the Intercontential title was a major milestone, and this could be the perfect time to build on that victory.
Fan interest: Mysterio has always gotten a big response from fans, they love to cheer and boo him. Fans are intrigued by his journey and want to see him succeed.

Reasons Against Dominick Mysterio

Championship threat: Right now, he doesn’t seem like a credible threat to Roman Reigns’ title reign.
Storyline depth: His character and storylines may need more development before he can carry a major title chase.

Close-up view of Dominick Mysterio walking to the ring — Dominick Mysterio celebrating a key win. Courtesy of WWE

Seth Rollins: The Veteran with a Personal Story

Seth Rollins brings a compelling narrative to the King of the Ring tournament. He never lost the World Heavyweight Championship because he had to forfeit it due to injury. Winning King of the Ring could be the perfect way to reclaim that title and continue his saga with Roman Reigns.

Reasons to Crown Seth Rollins

Strong storyline: The story of reclaiming a title he never lost adds emotional weight.
Established star power: Rollins has the experience and fan base to carry the tournament and beyond.
Rivalry with Roman Reigns: Their ongoing saga is one of WWE’s most compelling stories, and a King of the Ring win could set up a major SummerSlam main event.

Reasons Against Seth Rollins

Lack of freshness: Rollins has been in the main event scene for a while, and some fans may want new faces.
Recent setbacks: His loss to Bron Breaker at Backlash has hurt his momentum, making it less clear if he’s ready for a big push right now.

Why Seth Rollins Should Win King of the Ring

While Oba Femi and Dominik Mysterio both have strong cases, Seth Rollins stands out as the best choice for King of the Ring this year. His personal story with the World Heavyweight Championship and his rivalry with Roman Reigns create a narrative that WWE can build on for months. The potential for a major SummerSlam main event between Rollins and Reigns is a huge draw, especially since these two have never faced off at WrestleMania, making SummerSlam the next best stage. This also helps keep Mysterio and Oba out of the main event scene, they can slowly build these guys a main players for years to come.

Rollins winning King of the Ring would not only give him a meaningful storyline but also keep fans invested in a long-term feud that has personal stakes. This approach balances experience with storytelling, giving WWE a strong main event scene heading into the biggest shows of the year.

Seth Rollins in the ring — Seth Rollins center stage in the ring. Courtesy of WWE

Final Thoughts

Choosing the King of the Ring winner is about more than just who is popular or talented. It’s about who can carry the story forward and create memorable moments for fans. Oba Femi has the crowd behind him but I want more time to build towards Roman/Oba. Dominik Mysterio has momentum but lacks the championship threat right now. Seth Rollins combines experience, a personal story, and a high-profile rivalry that can elevate the tournament’s significance.