RAW Preview for June 18, 2007

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From WWE.com:

Preview: In the wake of tragedy
June 18, 2007

At the end of Raw last week, Mr. McMahon was presumed killed in a horrific limo explosion — a moment that will forever taint what was otherwise an historic WWE Draft. As Raw heads into the Coliseum in Richmond, Va. this Monday night, its Superstars must cope with the fact that WWE’s Chairman is for all intents gone, his body seemingly lost in the flames that engulfed his limousine.

It’s hard to focus past the black cloud that has encircled World Wrestling Entertainment all week long. No one will speak ill of the deceased, though it was apparent after last week’s “Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night” that many of WWE’s Superstars, our fans and numerous celebrities saw him as a pathetic, power-mad dictator. But now that he’s gone, what exactly does he leave behind? And how will it affect Raw’s Superstars in Richmond this Monday night?

As for the WWE Draft itself, last week Raw said goodbye to The Great Khali, Torrie Wilson, Chris Masters and Ric Flair; however Raw also welcomed its newest Superstars to the roster: King Booker, Queen Sharmell, Snitsky, Mr. Kennedy and Bobby Lashley. Needless to say, all will have a profound impact on Raw in the coming weeks. However, Lashley — who was stripped of his ECW World Title after being randomly selected in the Draft — is planning to make his mark a little quicker than the rest. He had already established a strong Raw presence during his rivalry with Mr. McMahon over the past few months; does he have an advantage over the other “newcomers” as they enter the Richmond Coliseum this Monday?

In the ashes of tragedy, life begins anew on Raw, Monday night at 9/8 CT on USA Network.

Also on WWE.com is a story on “the first time in the show’s 14-year history” that Mr. McMahon won’t be involved with RAW here. Not sure how true that is in storyline terms, but we get the picture…

Matthew Michaels is editor emeritus of Pulse Wrestling, and has been since the site launched.