With WrestleMania 39 just around the corner, WWE is now looking ahead at what comes next.
According to a new report from Brandon Thurston, that will be two Premium Live Events in May. In a Patreon exclusive video, Thurston revealed that Backlash will be held on May 6th, while King and Queen of the Ring will follow on May 27th. WWE filed the trademark for ‘WWE King and Queen of the Ring’ back in December.
Interestingly, ‘WrestleMania Backlash’ appears to be a thing of the past, with the event reverting to its traditional name.
Eagle-eyed fans will also notice that May 27th is Memorial Weekend in the United States, and traditionally when AEW holds its Double or Nothing pay-per-view.
The first-ever King of the Ring tournament was held back in 1985 and was won by WWE Hall of Famer Don Muraco. As the tournament grew in popularity it eventually became a standalone event in 1993.
From here the show became an annual event until it was taken off the calendar for 2003. During this period the tournament was won by the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, Edge, and Brock Lesnar.
Although the tournament itself continued intermittently, the event only returned once more, with Wade Barrett being crowned king in 2015.
The King of the Ring tournament returned in 2021, with Xavier Woods winning the title at Crown Jewel. Zelina Vega won the Queen’s Crown tournament at the same event.
WWE’s Updated Premium Live Event Schedule
- WWE WrestleMania 39 night one, Saturday, April 1st
- WWE WrestleMania 39 night two, Sunday, April 2nd
- WWE Backlash, Saturday, May 6th
- WWE King and Queen of the Ring, Saturday, May 27th
- WWE Money in the Bank, Saturday, July 1st
- WWE SummerSlam Saturday, August 5th