Kofi Kingston Goes The Distance In 60-Minute Gauntlet Match On Smackdown Live; Wrestling World Reacts

In case you missed it — well, you shouldn’t have.

This Tuesday night on Smackdown Live, all six competitors in this Sunday’s WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match fought it out in a grueling gauntlet for the opportunity to enter the dreaded steel structure last.

In a truly stunning display, Kofi Kingston, who replaced an injured Mustafa Ali in the bout, lasted more than 60 minutes and nearly went the distance, scoring victories over three other stars in the match including the WWE Champion himself Daniel Bryan. He also defeated Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe, but fell victim to a Calf Crusher submission from AJ Styles.

Kofi was trending worldwide on Twitter by the end of the his incredible marathon, and numerous stars from throughout the wrestling industry sent out their appreciation for the high-flying sensation.

Kofi is so damned good, in and out of the ring!!

— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) February 13, 2019

Kofi killed it tonight! Amazing!

— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) February 13, 2019

Kofi is beyond talented and a super nice guy 👍🏼 deserves the best!! https://t.co/39xrPrAGK1

— Lauren/Angelina Love (@ActualALove) February 13, 2019

@TrueKofi

That is all. 👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

— Ronnie Arneill (@perfec10n) February 13, 2019

KOFI!! #SDLive

— Mike Kanellis (@RealMikeBennett) February 13, 2019

All the props in the world to @TrueKofi

— Mustafa Ali / Adeel Alam (@MustafaAliWWE) February 13, 2019

Proud of you @TrueKofi

— Hanson (@WarBeardHanson) February 13, 2019

Hey @WarBeardHanson, your day one, @TrueKofi layed it all out there tonight. Way to push Kof! Hanson… 😑😑😑

— Defiant Lee (@RealKeithLee) February 13, 2019

He will become champion. He will.

— The Honorable Honorable HONORABLE Comiiiiish (@XavierWoodsPhD) February 13, 2019

#Kofi ✊🏼 @TrueKofi

— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) February 13, 2019

Kofi. 👏👏👏👏

— Nattie (@NatbyNature) February 13, 2019

Hell of a performance by @TrueKofi.
Much respect. #SDLive

— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) February 13, 2019

KOFI!!!!!!

— Soon. (@FightOwensFight) February 13, 2019