The 2024 King of the Ring tournament will continue on this week’s SmackDown, but will go on ahead without Bobby Lashley.
Taking to social media, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis shared news that Lashley has been pulled from the tournament as he is not medically cleared to compete. Aldis stated that the two-time former WWE Champion suffered a training-related injury but did not share any further details. In his place, fellow The Pride member Angelo Dawkins will be a part of the tournament.
Important Update ahead of tomorrow's #SmackDown KOTR matches: @WWE pic.twitter.com/c5Pkq7I1jq
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) May 9, 2024
This is a huge setback for Lashley, who has gotten tantalizingly close to being crowned King in the past. In 2006, Lashley made it to the finals of that year’s royal tournament before losing to Booker T.
While this is a blow to Lashley, his removal has provided Angelo Dawkins with a golden opportunity. Known predominantly as a tag-team wrestler, a strong performance in the King of the Ring tournament could put a lot of eyes on the Street Profits member. In October 2022, it was said that Dawkins was impressing a lot of the right people backstage, but a singles push has yet to emerge.
Tournament Replacements
Lashley is the latest name in this year’s regal festivities to be replaced. Drew McIntyre was scheduled to face Finn Balor in a first-round match before also being pulled. Balor instead faced Jey Uso and lost to the ‘Main Event’ talent in the first round on Raw.
Xavier Woods, the 2021 King, has been replaced by Kofi Kingston as the UpUpDownDown leader is also not cleared to compete. Kingston will face Rey Mysterio on next week’s Raw. Asuka was scheduled to compete in the Queen of the Ring tournament but due to her injuries, has been replaced by Dakota Kai. The Kiwi Superstar was defeated by Lyra Valkyria in the first round.
WWE SmackDown Matches
Dawkins will have a lot to prove on this Friday’s SmackDown, as will the man he faces in the first-round match: Tama Tonga.
In a WrestleMania 35 rematch, AJ Styles will face Randy Orton in what will likely be an epic collision between former WWE World Champions.
The newly-drafted Carmelo Hayes hopes to make an impact after his recent loss to Cody Rhodes when he faces 2019 King of the Ring Baron Corbin.
The Megastar LA Knight hopes to advance but will face to overcome Santos Escobar (and likely interference from Legado Del Fantasma) to do so.
