I'm a huge fan of a single-night, eight man elimination tournament. I loved the King of the Ring tournament, and regardless if its on a Pay Per View, or a Monday Night Raw.. this is how it should be done.. in one night, where the winner must win three matches.
Now, the thoughts are on who would be considered the odds on favorite to win. However, before I give my suggestions.. I'd like to point out another (possible flaw) thats been rumored.
Its been reported the winner will be the next in line to take over the gimmick of what "King Booker" had, in which they'll pronounce themselves as Royalty and a King. If this is the case, then it ruins almost any possibility for Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Umaga or Mr. Kennedy to be in the top running. However, I think it won't be exactly one in the same. (short of them ruining any of the above mentioned names, gimmicks)
Now, here are my possible outcomes.
Shawn Michaels: Logically I could see a beautiful finals match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, since next Monday's Raw will be the final one before Backlash. If thats the case, an H.B.K. v. Y.2.J. outcome would be fantastic! However, that type of match deserves a Judgment Day build, not a Main Event Raw build. So if Shawn does indeed make it to the finals, I can't see it being against Jericho.
The other reason I'm assuming Shawn could be a top choice is because the King of the Ring tournament is the only thing/event that H.B.K. hasn't won. Steve Austin, Triple H... they've both won the Royal Rumble event and the King of the Ring event. H.B.K. only has multiple Rumble victories, but no KOTR wins.
Mr. Kennedy: This isn't so much my idea as it is Wes' but Mr. Kennedy is the future of the business, and the only guy who seemingly is lost in the fold right now. The guy hasn't seen a victory thats been meaningful since his Raw victory over Shawn Michaels that to be honest, most have forgotten.
If Kennedy is gonna become anything more than a random jobber that was once a big name, then they need to push him back to the top. Allowing him to go over three remotely big names in one night would return Kennedy to the top instantly. Whether W.W.E. does this or not, is another story. I personally think they're simply cutting their losses with Kennedy and he'll be gone and T.N.A. bound within 2 years.
John Morrison: Naturally I might be one of the only people pushing strongly for John Morrison to be the guy.. but I think this would be the greatest feature for him. Hes currently drowning in Tag Team hell with The Miz. I think that what they should do, is have Morrison go over Matt Hardy in round one, either Kennedy, Miz, or Jericho in round two and finish the night out with a shock-value ending against Shawn Michaels in the tournament finals.
If John Morrison wins this thing, and goes over at least H.B.K. in the finals. (due to Batista/Jericho or not) I promise you all, you will never hear the end of me marking out for Morrison's Main Event push!
ROYALTY POSSIBILITES:
D.H. Smith: The British Bulldog's son could somehow get a push out of nowhere and win it all, thus renaming himself "King Henry" or "King Harry." Sadly I'd hate for this to happen, because all in all I'm not a fan of D.H. I think he needs to go back to the drawing board and restudy his traits.
Paul Burchill: If they're gonna push anyone for "royalty" then I'd love for them to push Paul Burchill as the next "king." This guy has money written all over him, if they'd merely use him properly. Sister-sex or not, the guy has more talent then some of the current Main Eventers and deserves to shine. This could be the thing that does it.
Overall: John Morrison has my vote. I want him to win it, and have people continue to bitch about how he doesn't deserve it.. all the way to the top, when he defeats a World Champion before year's end, only to continue hearing people bitch about how he doesn't deserve it.