In WWE, the King of the Ring crown is more than just a title — it’s a spotlight, a statement, a storytelling device that can elevate a Superstar’s character to new heights. In 2019, WWE revived the tournament for a modern generation, and one man emerged from the pack not just with the crown, but with a polarizing legacy that divided fans, drew relentless heat, and proved that true villainy could still thrive in the PG era.
This is the chronicle of Baron Corbin, a former NFL lineman turned WWE Superstar, who traded his lone wolf persona for royal robes and ruled WWE with smug superiority as King Corbin.
Before ever stepping foot in a WWE ring, Thomas Pestock, better known to fans as Baron Corbin, made his name on the football field. A former NFL offensive lineman, Corbin brought legitimate toughness and size to the world of professional wrestling, debuting in NXT as a silent powerhouse in 2012.
By the time he made his main roster debut in 2016 — winning the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32 — Corbin had solidified his presence as a cold, calculating force. His early days as the “Lone Wolf” painted him as a quiet destroyer: no friends, no frills, just an End of Days and a slow walk out.
Over the next three years, Corbin remained a consistent upper-midcard player. He held the United States Championship, earned a stint as “Constable Corbin” — the storyline authority figure of Raw — and even retired Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 35. But while he had heat, he hadn’t yet been crowned.
That would change in the fall of 2019.
When WWE announced the return of the King of the Ring tournament in August 2019, the format spanned multiple weeks across Raw and SmackDown, allowing stories and rivalries to naturally unfold. Corbin was announced as a participant, and fans rolled their eyes — but whether from disdain or intrigue, they paid attention.
First Round – Corbin vs. The Miz (August 26, 2019 – Raw)
Corbin opened his tournament with a strong showing against The Miz. Though Miz attempted to quicken the pace with striking and counters, Corbin’s size and calculated pacing controlled the match. He scored the win cleanly after hitting End of Days, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals – Corbin vs. Cedric Alexander (September 2, 2019 – Raw)
Next came a highly praised bout with high-flyer Cedric Alexander, who entered the tournament as a fan favorite. Corbin sold an injured knee throughout the match, allowing Alexander to look competitive. But Corbin’s in-ring psychology and sudden bursts of offense impressed critics. Once again, End of Days ended it.
Semifinals – Triple Threat: Corbin vs. Samoa Joe vs. Ricochet (September 9, 2019 – Raw)
Originally scheduled to face Ricochet one-on-one, the match was changed to a triple threat with Samoa Joe after a controversial draw in the previous round. This match was one of the most critically acclaimed of the tournament. Ricochet’s aerial assault, Joe’s intensity, and Corbin’s opportunistic instincts made for thrilling TV. Corbin stole the win by throwing Ricochet out of the ring and pinning a downed Joe — a classic heel tactic, but a clever one.
Corbin had punched his ticket to the finals.
The finals took place on Raw, as Corbin faced Chad Gable — a gifted technician and underdog fan favorite. Gable had earned his place in the finals with breakout wins over Shelton Benjamin, Andrade, and Shane McMahon. Corbin, by contrast, had used ring savvy, brute force, and borderline arrogance to reach the end.
The match was a masterclass in in-ring storytelling.
Gable out-wrestled Corbin in the early goings with takedowns, suplexes, and submissions. He focused on Corbin’s leg, working to neutralize the larger man’s base. Corbin, however, used his power advantage to turn the tide — tossing Gable into the barricades and ring post to slow him down.
The drama peaked when Gable countered End of Days into a stunning roll-up for a near fall that had the crowd on their feet. But ultimately, Corbin caught Gable charging in, spun him into the air, and connected with End of Days dead center in the ring.
1… 2… 3.
Baron Corbin had won. The crown was his.
From the moment he donned the crown, Corbin embraced the King gimmick with full theatrical arrogance. Wearing royal robes, a gold crown, and carrying a scepter, Corbin transformed into King Corbin — a smug, narcissistic monarch who saw himself above everyone in the WWE Universe.
He began referring to Chad Gable as “Shorty Gable,” a nickname that evolved into a full-on character change for Gable, much to fans’ dismay. Corbin relentlessly bullied Gable, sparking a months-long feud where Gable eventually got some revenge, but the damage to his presentation lingered.
King Corbin aligned himself with Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, forming a de facto royal court. They backed him in his feud with Roman Reigns, a storyline that ran through Survivor Series 2019 and culminated in a TLC 2019 main event. Corbin shockingly defeated Reigns in that match, using help from Ziggler and Roode to solidify his dominance.
He kept the heat coming, delivering humiliating promos and orchestrating infamous segments like pouring dog food on Reigns after a tag match win. These antics made him one of the most hated characters on WWE television, but also sparked debate: was it go-away heat or true heel success?
Corbin’s reign lasted nearly two years — far longer than most modern King gimmicks. But in mid-2021, Shinsuke Nakamura began targeting the crown. This storyline, which saw Nakamura dub himself “The King of Strong Style” and battle Corbin in a series of matches, led to Corbin losing the crown on the June 18, 2021 edition of SmackDown.
With the crown gone, Corbin spiraled into depression and misfortune.
After losing the crown, Corbin debuted a disheveled look with dirty clothes, scruffy hair, and a storyline claiming he was completely broke. This “Broke Corbin” character became surprisingly popular as a tragicomic figure.
But that didn’t last long.
In late 2021, a lucky win at a casino allowed Corbin to reinvent himself again — this time as “Happy Corbin”. Now rich and obnoxious, he laughed at his own jokes, hosted “Happy Talk,” and feuded with the likes of Madcap Moss. It wasn’t royalty, but it showed that Corbin remained one of the most adaptable characters in WWE.
While Corbin’s 2019 King of the Ring win did not catapult him into the world title scene, it solidified him as one of the best heat magnets in modern WWE history. Unlike previous Kings who used the crown to elevate into beloved figures, Corbin used it to deepen his villainy.
He weaponized the crown, made fans loathe him, and embraced every second of it. He didn’t want cheers. He wanted jeers. And he got them.
King Corbin may not be the most celebrated King of the Ring — but he was certainly one of the most effective. He brought relevance back to the tournament and proved that even in the era of overexposure and social media, an old-school heel still had a place on WWE’s throne.
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