'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE announced this Monday that they are set to reintroduce King of the Ring, which will be a part of the August 19 episode of RAW. The tournament returns to WWE television after a four-year absence.
King of the Ring helped several WWE legends propel their career, including the likes of Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Kurt Angle, Edge, and Brock Lesnar.
Also Read: WWE News: King of the Ring Tournament set to return
The 2015 edition of King of the Ring was won by Bad News Barrett, who is no longer with the WWE.
This year's tournament will have the likes of Elias, Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Shelton Benjamin, Cesaro, Samoa Joe, Andrade, Ali, Cedric Alexander, Chad Gable, Buddy Murphy, The Miz, Baron Corbin, and Apollo Crews.
Who could win this year's edition of the tournament? Let's take a look at 5 Superstars who could win King of the Ring 2019:
#5 Andrade
Andrade, who was called up to the main roster from NXT last year, seems to be one Superstar that Vince McMahon likes and is set to get a big push, as per various reports.
The SmackDown Superstar has the in-ring ability and the charisma to be a fantastic heel, which he has already showed signs of on the blue brand.
Andrade had a good showing at Royal Rumble 2019, where he was one of the last four Superstars in the ring in the men's Royal Rumble match. Since then, he feuded with Finn Balor for the Intercontinental title, which he, unfortunately, didn't win.
A win for him at the King of the Ring could be on the cards and could help him get a future WWE Championship match over on SmackDown Live.
#4 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe is the ultimate heel, and is possibly one of the best heels in WWE currently. The two-time United States Champion teased a babyface turn recently when he came to the aid of Roman Reigns, and once again on this week's RAW when he faced another heel in Sami Zayn. But Joe quickly dismissed any sign of a face turn when he disparaged the crowd.
It's quite surprising that Joe hasn't been in the Universal/WWE Championship title picture more often, with his last real feud for a top Championship being against AJ Styles on SmackDown in 2018, while he briefly challenged Kofi Kingston recently.
Also Read: WWE News: Raw Superstar says Vince McMahon didn't want him in the company
Joe hasn't yet won a Universal or WWE Championship, but winning the King of the Ring tournament could certainly help him get closer to an opportunity to face either Seth Rollins or Kofi Kingston for the Universal or WWE Championship, respectively.
Joe is a fantastic wrestler who can make most matches enjoyable to watch, while he is also great on the mic. WWE should use the King of the Ring as an opportunity to push Joe and give him the opportunity that he rightfully deserves.
#3 Ali
Much like Andrade, Ali has had quite a meteoric rise since moving to the main roster in Decemeber 2018. The former 205 Live Superstar has impressed since joining SmackDown late last year, but things could have been massively different if they had gone his way.
Ali had a good run in the Men's Royal Rumble match earlier this year, lasting 30 minutes in the ring - the second longest after eventual winner Seth Rollins. His great run at that match and his good run since being called up to the main roster won him a match against Daniel Bryan for the Elimination Chamber, but an injury ruled him out of the PPV, and his place was taken by Kofi Kingston... and the rest, as they say, is history.
Kingston went on to have a fairytale feud with Daniel Bryan which ended in him winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
Ali was once again robbed of a chance of getting a title opportunity at Money in the Bank, when he was just moments away from winning the contract before Brock Lesnar returned and won the contract.
It's time for Ali to shine again, and restart his push, beginning with winning the King of the Ring competition.
#2 Ricochet
Ricochet, like Ali and Andrade, has been pushed rather quickly by WWE since making his main roster debut earlier this year. The former NXT North American Champion moved to the main roster in February, and was quickly given a shot Raw Tag Team Championship when he partnered with Aleister Black.
Although Black and Ricochet were unsuccessful in win the titles, they won over a lot of their fans with their high-flying action.
He, too, was in the Money in the Bank ladder match, and was once again impressive. He then became the No. 1 contender for the United States title, and won the title when he defeated Samoa Joe, to win his first piece of gold on the main roster. He then had an engrossing feud with AJ Styles for the title, which he lost.
I feel that Ricochet could go to the final of the King of the Ring tournament, if not even win it. A win at King of the Ring could be like the Money in the Bank contract, sort of like a title for those that aren't in feuds for the top titles on RAW and SmackDown. And with the very positive run that Ricochet has had so far, it would be a great decision for him to win the tournament.
#1 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre was not featured in SummerSlam, which was surprising, considering he is one of the biggest heels in WWE at the moment. The Scottish Psychopath has been tipped to win a top title in WWE soon, but he hasn't been anywhere near the Universal or WWE Championship picture.
Also Read: WWE Rumors: Real reason why Drew McIntyre was not used at SummerSlam revealed
McIntyre, who is now on SmackDown Live, has mostly feuded with Roman Reigns, althouth The Big Dog has his sights trained on his mystery attacker, which is mostly Daniel Bryan.
This means that McIntyre needs a new feud on SmackDown Live, which could very well be one with the current WWE Champion Kofi Kingston. McIntyre winning the King of the Ring tournament will help him get in the running for the WWE Championship, and he would make for a formidable heel for Kingston.
WWE should put the title on McIntyre soon, as fans may lose interest in his character if he is not anywhere near the title picture and he could fall down the pecking order. We could perhaps see McIntyre feud with Kingston for the WWE Championship at Hell in a Cell PPV which will take place on October 6.
