5 WWE Superstars whose careers failed to take off despite being crowned King of the Ring 

#4 Billy Gunn - 1999

Billy Gunn

Throughout 1998 into early 1999, many backstage saw a lot of potential in D-Generation X member Billy Gunn. When it seemed like he and Road Dogg did all they could together as the New Age Outlaws, both would enter the 1999 King of The Ring.

They would also be joined by fellow DX members X-Pac and Chyna. As the Dogg and Chyna were eliminated, Gunn and X-Pac made it to the final, where Gunn was victorious. Gunn was given a major opportunity, not only was he the King, but he was also placed in a feud with WWE's hottest Superstar, The Rock.

The feud culminated in a 'Kiss My Ass' match at SummerSlam, won by The Rock. WWE seemed to lose interest in pushing Gunn just after, as he fell right back down the card and would reunite with DX that October. His career post-KOTR wasn't bad, but definitely below expectations of the star many thought he would become.

He would have several more Tag Team Championship reigns with the Road Dogg and Chuck Palumbo, had a brief run as WWE Intercontinental Champion in 2000 and gave us some controversial moments in his aforementioned tag teams. After he was released from WWE in 2004, he would go onto enjoy a prominent four-year run in TNA Wrestling, before returning to WWE as a trainer and part-time TV roles.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of D-Generation X, and today works as a producer for All Elite Wrestling.