Prediction for King of the Ring first round matches on Smackdown

The first-round matches for the King of the Ring have started on Monday Night Raw. The likes of Jey Uso, Ilja Dragunov, Gunther, Iyo Sky, Lyra Valkyria, and Zoey Stark have progressed to the second round by beating their opponents. A couple of matches like the ones between Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio in the men's division and the one between Shayna Baszler and Zelina Vega could not take place.

Due to the time constraints on Raw, the two matches are postponed to the next week. The first-round matches for Smackdown are being announced. Four matches in the men's division are set to happen in the upcoming episode. Some of the biggest Superstars in the roster will be in action. The fans are hoping some of these matches to be bangers. The winners of these matches will progress to the quarterfinal.

It is time to look at the matches and try to predict the potential winners: 

Also check: WWE King Of The Ring 2024: 4 reasons why Ilja Dragunov can win the tournament (sports.info)

Randy Orton vs AJ Styles - Randy Orton and AJ Styles are two of the best Superstars on Smackdown currently. The two former world champions can deliver good matches. They might well main event the night and light up the show. It will be the maiden appearance of Styles in the King of the Ring. He would be hoping to make an impact in his maiden tournament.

Randy Orton will be taking part in the tournament for the first time since 2006. In the Ruthless Aggression Era, the Viper lost in the first round to Kurt Angle. He would be hoping to win his first King of the Ring tournament. Styles lost to Cody and Randy lost to the Bloodline in Backlash 2024. The match will be thrilling and Randy Orton might emerge victorious.

Baron Corbin vs Carmelo Hayes - Baron Corbin returned to the main roster after being in NXT last year. The exciting talent is back to Smackdown and is set to be a part of the King of the Ring tournament. He will be up against Carmelo Hayes who made his debut on the main roster. Like Corbin, he got drafted from NXT to Smackdown. Carmelo faced Cody last week on the main event of Smackdown.

Corbin has been the King of the Ring in the past. In 2019, he was the champion in the tournament. King Corbin will be hoping to repeat the feat. Hayes won everything to be won in NXT and has taken his game to a different level. The match could be a banger given the in-ring skills of the two. Carmelo might emerge victorious given his run in NXT in the last year.

LA Knight vs Santos Escobar - LA Knight faced Santos Escobar a few weeks back on Smackdown. The Megastar claimed an impressive win and sent a statement to the opponents in the King of the Ring. He is on a roll and would be hoping to make an impact in his maiden appearance in the tournament. He will be up against Escobar who will be taking part in his maiden tournament.

Escobar was the US Champion before turning against Rey Mysterio. He is hated by the crowd for his act. But the athletic wrestler can deliver good matches given his in-ring skill. The match might be carried by Escobar but Knight is likely to emerge victorious. After losing the number one contender match to Styles, Knight might need this win.

Bobby Lashley vs Tama Tonga - Bobby Lashley has been out of action for a long time. He last wrestled against Santos Escobar and AJ Styles for the number one contender match to Cody on Backlash 2024. Otherwise, Bobby has not had a singles match in a long time. In 2006, the Almighty was the runner-up in the King of the Ring tournament.

While Lashley lost to Booker T, he was impressive. Having guided Street Profits enough, Lashley needs to put himself among the top solo wrestlers. He will be up against Tama Tonga, who debuted on Smackdown recently and joined the Bloodline. Having proven himself as a great performer in NJPW, Tonga would be hoping to make an impact in the King of the Ring. He is likely to beat Lashley in the first round.