But first, a Blair Davenport vignette airs hyping up the SmackDown debut of the former NXT Superstar. When it does wrap up, we return inside the arena where AJ Styles’ theme hits. Out comes “The Phenomenal One” for our main event of the evening. He goes one-on-one with Randy Orton in a KOTR first round bout next.

On that note, we shift gears and head into a quick pre-match commercial break. When we return, matches are announced for next week’s SmackDown, with multiple KOTR and QOTR bouts scheduled, as well as the contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul for WWE King and Queen of the Ring 2024.

Back inside the arena, Randy Orton’s theme hits and out comes “The Viper” for our final King of the Ring opening round match of the evening. The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with this one. We see some back-and-forth action and then Orton settles into the offensive lead. The fight spills out to the floor.

Orton slams Styles onto the commentary desk, which only partially breaks. The fans chant for him to do it one more time. Styles ends up taking over as we head into a mid-match commercial break as the match continues.

When we return from the break, we see Styles stomping on the leg of Orton, softening up the bum wheel like he has been doing throughout the majority of the contest. Orton starts to fight back into competitive form. He hits his trademark draping DDT off the ropes. Styles takes back over and again focuses his attack on the leg of “The Viper.”

Styles looks for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Orton avoids it and knocks Styles off the top-rope. Styles fights back and locks in the calf-crusher on the weakened knee of Orton that he has been working over the entire match. Fans rally behind Orton with loud “Randy! Randy!” chants. Orton ends up escaping and hitting a power slam.

Again Orton fights back and once more he hits his trademark draping DDT on Styles off the middle rope. He drops down and pounds the mat in Viper mode. He looks for the RKO, but Styles avoids it. Styles connects with a Phenomenal Forearm and goes for the cover, but Orton gets to the ropes before the count of three.

Styles locks Orton in position for the Styles Clash. He calls for it, but takes too long, as when he finally goes for it, Orton quickly counters and connects with an RKO out of nowhere for the pin fall victory. With the win, Orton advances to the next round of the King of the Ring tournament. That’s how this week’s show goes off the air. Thanks for joining us!

Winner and ADVANCING: Randy Orton