In the fall of 2009, WWE Owner, Vince McMahon, was growing more impatient everyday with his creative team. McMahon complained over their feeble attempts to find, create and push new superstars for the company. This had became visibly clear after a rash of injuries took out some of the key established veterans and television ratings fell to new lows. McMahon then had to turn to a tactic of bringing celebrity hosts to help the show but that didn't help. Now finally the veterans are returning and the ratings have risen back up to it's usual ratings but Vince vowed to not let the problem happen again. He vowed this time other superstars will be ready to "step up and deliver."
Vince held a meeting with his creative team and everybody knew this one was serious. He heard and shot down pitches from everybody on their different ideas to push certain wrestlers. Vince was doubting his creative team more then ever and was probably about ready to send the all packing until ECW head writer, Ed Koskey, spoke up.
Koskey pitched a new idea for the "King of the Ring" tournament for 2009. Instead of the usual format, let 32 superstars compete for the prize. He laid it out with the whole tournament being on the only tri-branded show, WWE Superstars, with the tournament spanning roughly 3 months. He continued with McMahon offering not only the "King of the Ring" title but also a one million dollar cash prize and a title shot at "Royal Rumble" against the winner's respective brand champion. He finished off with stating this will not only push one star way up the ladder but also help numerous superstars with strong efforts in the tournament.
The room fell quiet as Vince mulled it over. Finally, something that hadn't been seen in awhile in a creative meeting happened, Vince McMahon smiled. He praised Koskey as he slammed the others for their lousy ideas. He walked out with instructions for everybody to help out and to put Koskey's plan in motion.
The creative team came up with a list of 32 superstars, all of them having never held a World singles title in the WWE (World or WWE). Finally it was announced to the fans about the new King of the Ring format as the fans ate the new idea up as the most exciting idea in a long time.
"The Masterpiece" Chris Masters
Cody Rhodes
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Carlito
Evan Bourne
"The All-American American" Jack Swagger
Jamie Noble
Kofi Kingston
"The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry
"The Miz" Mike Mizanin
MVP
Primo Colon
Santino Marella
Ted DiBiase Jr.
Charlie Haas
Dolph Ziggler
"The Shaman of Sexy" John Morrison
Matt Hardy
Mike Knox
R-Truth
Christian
Ezekiel Jackson
Hurricane Helms
Finlay
Paul Burchill
"The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus
"The Golden Standard" Shelton Benjamin
Tyler Reks
Vladimir Kozlov
Sir William Regal
Yoshi Tatsu
Zach Ryder
Vince held a meeting with his creative team and everybody knew this one was serious. He heard and shot down pitches from everybody on their different ideas to push certain wrestlers. Vince was doubting his creative team more then ever and was probably about ready to send the all packing until ECW head writer, Ed Koskey, spoke up.
Koskey pitched a new idea for the "King of the Ring" tournament for 2009. Instead of the usual format, let 32 superstars compete for the prize. He laid it out with the whole tournament being on the only tri-branded show, WWE Superstars, with the tournament spanning roughly 3 months. He continued with McMahon offering not only the "King of the Ring" title but also a one million dollar cash prize and a title shot at "Royal Rumble" against the winner's respective brand champion. He finished off with stating this will not only push one star way up the ladder but also help numerous superstars with strong efforts in the tournament.
The room fell quiet as Vince mulled it over. Finally, something that hadn't been seen in awhile in a creative meeting happened, Vince McMahon smiled. He praised Koskey as he slammed the others for their lousy ideas. He walked out with instructions for everybody to help out and to put Koskey's plan in motion.
The creative team came up with a list of 32 superstars, all of them having never held a World singles title in the WWE (World or WWE). Finally it was announced to the fans about the new King of the Ring format as the fans ate the new idea up as the most exciting idea in a long time.
"The Masterpiece" Chris Masters
Cody Rhodes
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Carlito
Evan Bourne
"The All-American American" Jack Swagger
Jamie Noble
Kofi Kingston
"The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry
"The Miz" Mike Mizanin
MVP
Primo Colon
Santino Marella
Ted DiBiase Jr.
Charlie Haas
Dolph Ziggler
"The Shaman of Sexy" John Morrison
Matt Hardy
Mike Knox
R-Truth
Christian
Ezekiel Jackson
Hurricane Helms
Finlay
Paul Burchill
"The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus
"The Golden Standard" Shelton Benjamin
Tyler Reks
Vladimir Kozlov
Sir William Regal
Yoshi Tatsu
Zach Ryder