Key Highlights:
- King’s Tekken 8 gameplay shows a new double underhook facebuster closely resembling Triple H’s Pedigree.
- The masked wrestler also uses an RKO-style cutter alongside his familiar suplexes, powerbombs and grappling attacks.
- Bandai Namco says King is still using professional wrestling to support children affected by the G Corporation and Mishima Zaibatsu war.
King is leaning even harder into professional wrestling for Tekken 8, with his latest gameplay showing attacks closely resembling two of WWE’s best-known finishing moves: Triple H’s Pedigree and Randy Orton’s RKO.
The clearest addition is a double underhook facebuster. King traps both of his opponent’s arms before driving them face-first into the ground, closely mirroring the structure of the Pedigree popularised by Triple H.
Bandai Namco has not officially presented the attack as a WWE crossover or used the Pedigree name, however, so it is more accurate to describe it as a Pedigree-style move based on what is shown in the footage.
King also has an attack strongly resembling Randy Orton’s RKO, rushing towards his opponent before catching them with a cutter. The two moves fit naturally into a fighting style already built around professional wrestling, with the trailer showing King using suplexes, powerbombs, counters and several of his established throws.
Tekken 8’s new Heat system is also incorporated into King’s wrestling-heavy offence. Bandai Namco has designed Heat around more aggressive play, allowing characters to access enhanced attacks and character-specific advantages while the system is active.
King’s story continues to revolve around professional wrestling and his work helping children. Bandai Namco’s official King profile says the war between G Corporation and the Mishima Zaibatsu has caused a major increase in the number of children needing his support.
Although King is already described as the undisputed champion of the professional wrestling world, he needs to raise more money and find people willing to support his plans. That gives his continued training and increasingly theatrical wrestling style a direct connection to his Tekken 8 storyline rather than simply serving as a visual redesign.
Tekken 8 is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. Bandai Namco has yet to announce a release date.
Later update: Tekken 8 ultimately keeps both wrestling-inspired attacks in King’s finished moveset. The Pedigree-style throw is officially named Freedom Face Buster, while the RKO-style cutter appears as Rapid King Onslaught, whose initials spell RKO. Both are incorporated into King’s Heat toolkit rather than existing purely as trailer animations.
King’s Character Episode also develops the orphanage storyline further. He enters the tournament looking for collaborators who can help his work with disadvantaged children, while his ending sees him arrange a charity rematch with boxer Steve Fox.
King’s corner of the roster later expanded further when Armour King was revealed for Tekken 8, bringing his masked wrestling rival back into the series.
