4 Finishes to the King of the Ring final first-round match tonight on WWE SmackDown

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That said, in this article, we look at four possible finishes to the King of the Ring final first-round match on WWE SmackDown.

#4. LA Knight could pin Finn Balor for the victory

The most straightforward outcome would see LA Knight pick up a huge victory over Finn Bálor.

The Megastar has remained one of WWE’s most popular stars so far in 2026. He has openly talked about winning the King of the Ring and using the crown as a stepping stone toward championship opportunities. That’s not all. Recent episodes of RAW have also featured Knight’s ongoing issues with The Bloodline and Jey Uso. Hence, making him one of the central figures in the tournament.

In this scenario, Royce Keys could have a breakout performance while Jey Uso and Finn Balor focus on one another. After surviving multiple near-falls, Knight could connect with the BFT on Balor and score the decisive pinfall.

The finish would protect both Uso and Keys while giving The Megastar momentum heading into the semifinals. WWE has often rewarded fan favorites with strong tournament performances. Hence, advancing LA Knight would certainly energize the audience.

Also, a victory here would keep alive the possibility of a major showdown involving Knight later this summer.

#3. Jimmy Uso could interfere and help Jey Uso win

One of the biggest wildcards in the match is the potential involvement of Jimmy Uso. The Usos have reunited and continue to be closely linked in WWE storylines. Whenever Jey finds himself in a high-stakes situation, Jimmy is never too far away.

Throughout recent weeks, tensions involving LA Knight and members of The Bloodline have continued to simmer. If the action breaks down outside the ring, Jimmy could appear and neutralize Knight just as The Megastar seems poised to win.

Imagine The Megaster planting Finn Balor with the BFT before Big Jim drags him out of the ring. The distraction would allow Jey Uso to capitalize with a spear or Uso Splash and secure the victory.

This outcome would accomplish two things at once. It would advance Jey in the tournament and protect Knight from taking a clean loss. Thus, further intensifying the rivalry between Knight and The Bloodline.

WWE has frequently used interference finishes in major tournament matches when multiple stars need to remain strong. Given the personal issues already brewing between Knight and Jey, this scenario feels entirely plausible.

#2. Finn Balor could steal the victory

Fatal Four-Way matches are tailor-made for opportunistic superstars. Hence, few wrestlers in WWE are better at capitalizing on chaos than Finn Balor.

The Prince recently arrived on SmackDown and immediately found himself in a difficult position, with many observers viewing him as the underdog entering tonight’s match. However, that underdog status could actually work in his favor.

A classic Balor finish would see him avoid taking major punishment while allowing the other three competitors to wear each other down. Near the conclusion, LA Knight could hit Royce Keys with the BFT and appear seconds away from victory.

Before LA Knight can make the cover, Finn Balor could slide into the ring and toss him to the floor. With Knight removed from the equation, Balor would quickly cover Keys and steal the pinfall.

The finish would fit perfectly with Balor’s cunning persona. Rather than overpowering anyone, he would simply capitalize on the opening created by others. Also, it would spark immediate frustration from Knight, potentially leading to a future singles feud between the two stars.

Most importantly, it would give The Prince a significant win at a time when many fans feel he needs a major singles push.

#1. Royce Keys could shock the WWE Universe and pin LA Knight

The most surprising finish, and arguably the most interesting one, would involve Royce Keys pulling off the upset of the year.

Since arriving in WWE, Keys has steadily built momentum. The André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner has impressed fans with his athleticism and physical presence. However, he has yet to score a career-defining victory on the main roster. Tonight could change everything.

WWE has a history of creating new stars through tournament matches. Hence, a victory over someone as popular as LA Knight would instantly elevate Royce Keys to another level.

Picture the final moments: Jey Uso wipes out Finn Balor with a huge splash outside the ring. Knight then delivers the BFT to Jey and believes he has the match won.

Before LA Knight can capitalize, Royce Keys storms into the ring and plants The Megastar with a devastating power move. He then pins him clean in the middle of the ring. If that happens, the arena would be stunned.

Not only would Keys advance to the semifinals, but he would also score the biggest victory of his WWE career. The loss would not significantly hurt Knight because of the chaotic nature of the match, while WWE would suddenly have a fresh star with enormous momentum.

If Triple H wants a genuine shock factor heading into Night of Champions, this may be the route to take. Although LA Knight and Jey Uso appear to be the favorites on paper, tournament history has repeatedly shown that unexpected stars can emerge when the stakes are highest.