WWE viewers furious over controversial and ‘horrendous’ botch in historic match-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

GUNTHER won King of the Ring – but fans weren’t entirely convinced (Picture: WWE)

WWE fans have been left disappointed after an historic King of the Ring final ended in controversy.

On Saturday evening in Saudi Arabia, GUNTHER secured another huge achievement as he beat Randy Orton in their first ever match together to secure the crown.

However, the closing moments have prompted backlash after the Ring General scored a quick pin on the Apex Predator seconds after kicking out of the RKO.

It’s rare a wrestler survives one RKO, let alone the two GUNTHER had to withstand, but the Austrian did exactly that, popping up to catch the veteran in a roll-up.

A three-count later and he’d become King of the Ring, but viewers noticed one of Orton’s shoulders was clearly off the mat, meaning the referee shouldn’t have counted.

The awkward moment was referenced in passing by commentator Corey Graves, although it’s unclear if it was a genuine mishap or part of a storyline.

GUNTHER’s rival Sheamus didn’t waste any time pointing out the error though, as he quipped: ‘#oneshoulder’

‘All I’m going to say is Randy Orton’s shoulder was WAY UP there… #WWEKINGANDQUEEN,’ pointed out @JustTalkWrestle on X, while @FarmerSuplex added: ‘Naaaahhhh maannnnn ORTON’S shoulder was up!!!!!! Ref is blind #WWEKINGANDQUEEN.’

‘What a botch. Orton’s shoulder a mile off the canvas. Love the E, but the ref shouldn’t have counted that. #WWEKINGANDQUEEN,’ wrote @theirontyger, and @codyrhodesszn tweeted: ‘Orton’s shoulder was clearly up. A horrendous botch by the ref.’

GUNTHER has gone from Intercontinental Champion to King of the Ring (Picture: WWE/Getty Images)

However, @_PWChronicle took a more optimistic stance and said: ‘Randy Orton’s shoulder was up, and even Corey Graves made reference to it on commentary. RUN IT BACK.’

While many former King of the Ring winners have adopted the crown as part of their persona after winning the tournament, GUNTHER hasn’t quite decided what he’ll do.

‘I will see because I am who I am. And the King of the Ring is a trophy, it’s a prize I can win. I think that’s what it is,’ he exclusively told Metro.co.uk before the match.

‘It’s like, it’s not gonna change fundamentally who I am or how I am, or how I present myself on the screen.’

A self-professed huge fan of tournaments, GUNTHER was delighted to be part of King of the Ring and have a chance to write his name into the history books.

He added: ‘Obviously, watching the King of the Ring tournament when I was younger, throughout the years, it’s a privilege to be part of that.’

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