<P> King of the Ring featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing feuds, plots, and storylines that were played out on Raw is War and SmackDown!--World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) television programs . Wrestlers portrayed a villain or a hero as they followed a series of events that built tension, and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches . </P> <P> The pay - per - view event featured the annual King of the Ring single elimination bracket tournament . The qualification for the tournament started on the June 4, 2001 episode of Raw is War, with Jeff Hardy and Rhyno defeating Matt Hardy and Tazz respectively . The qualification continued on the June 7 episode of SmackDown!, as Kurt Angle defeated Hardcore Holly and Edge defeated Test . On the June 11 episode of Raw is War, Christian and Perry Saturn defeated Kane and Steve Blackman in respective matches to qualify for the tournament . On the June 14 episode of SmackDown!, qualification ended as Big Show defeated Raven and Tajiri defeated Crash Holly . On the June 18 episode of Raw is War, the quarterfinal round occurred as Kurt Angle defeated Jeff Hardy, Rhyno defeated Tajiri, Edge defeated Perry Saturn and Christian defeated Big Show . </P> <P> The main rivalry heading into the event was between Steve Austin, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho for the WWF Championship . At Judgment Day, Benoit and Jericho won a Tag Team Turmoil match to become the #1 contenders for the WWF Tag Team Championship . The next night, on the May 21, 2001 episode of Raw is War, Benoit and Jericho defeated The Two - Man Power Trip (Steve Austin and Triple H) for the Tag Team Championship . Triple H suffered a legitimate quadriceps injury and was out of action for nearly a year . Austin started to feud with Benoit and Jericho . Austin defeated Benoit and Jericho in separate title matches . On the June 11 episode of Raw is War, it was announced that Austin would defend the title against Benoit and Jericho in a Triple Threat match at King of the Ring . </P> <P> Another preliminary feud heading into the event was between Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon . On the May 21 episode of Raw is War, McMahon interrupted Angle's celebration of regaining his Olympic gold medals from Chris Benoit, the previous night at Judgment Day . McMahon announced that WCW was coming back and mocked Angle, which led to Angle executing an Angle Slam on McMahon . On the June 11 episode of Raw is War, McMahon attacked Angle with an Angle Slam after Angle was attacked by The Undertaker . This led to a match between Angle and McMahon at King of the Ring . </P>

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