The following is the official WWE RAW preview courtesy of WWE.com:
As WWE Superstars return from the rich, royal tradition of the United Kingdom to American shores, the stars of Raw, SmackDown and ECW will compete for their own unique crowning glory.
For the first time in two years, a new King of the Ring will be decided in a one-night tournament that commences in the very first hour of a special three-hour episode of Raw, live from the BI-LO Center in Greenville, S.C.
Eight competitors will have to defeat multiple opponents in a single night to be coronated with the treasured crown and robe that WWE Legends and Hall of Famers such as Harley Race, â<80><9c>Million Dollar Manâ<80> Ted DiBiase, Bret â<80><9c>Hitmanâ<80> Hart, â<80><9c>Stone Coldâ<80> Steve Austin and Edge have worn during their illustrious careers.
Itâ<80><99>s not known which Superstars will make up the tournament field, but be assured that the four men involved in the Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Championship at Backlash â<80>” John Cena, John â<80><9c>Bradshawâ<80> Layfield, Triple H and WWE Champion Randy Orton â<80>” will want to make their mark and gain momentum just days before their title tilt. A King of the Ring Tournament victory would do just that.
Also watching the tournament live at BI-LO Center will be Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who have been invited to settle their Democrat differences in Greenville. What will happen as these two titans of the political world face off in the WWE ring? Will their confrontation finally end their stalemate on the road to their partyâ<80><99>s presidential nomination? Watch: WWE’s invite
With Shawn Michaels and Batista at odds over HBKâ<80><99>s retirement of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair at WrestleMania XXIV, look for sparks to fly if the two cross paths in the tournament or if they match up with their special guest referee at Backlash, Chris Jericho.
Also, the Divas cheered as Mickie James ended The Glamazonâ<80><99>s dominance, stunning fans worldwide to claim her fourth Womenâ<80><99>s Championship. How will Beth Phoenix react to the loss? And will other Divas look to challenge the new champion, making her new reign a short one?
Find out as a king is crowned on Monday Night Raw, airing live at a special start time of 8/7 CT, only on USA Network.
