WWE has added a United States Championship open challenge to the lineup for tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown. The new champion, Ilja Dragunov, will issue the challenge. After defeating Sami Zayn for the title last week, Dragunov stated it is his “duty to continue the open challenge series” that Zayn had started.
Tonight’s broadcast, emanating from the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, will also feature appearances by WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his next challenger, Drew McIntyre. Their title match is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1. This comes after McIntyre was positioned as a potential challenger alongside Jacob Fatu, who was taken out in a backstage attack last week.
McIntyre denied responsibility, but Rhodes seemingly did not believe him. An impromptu title match between Rhodes and McIntyre last week ended quickly in a disqualification when Rhodes hit McIntyre with the championship belt. WWE’s preview notes, “Brace yourself for all the explosive action, tonight at 8e/7c on SmackDown on USA”.
Also scheduled for the show is a non-title match pitting WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton against Kiana James. Stratton looks to rebound after her loss at Crown Jewel, while James sparked the match by commenting on Stratton’s performance at the event. Here is the updated announced lineup for tonight’s WWE SmackDown:
- WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre appear
- Non-title match: WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James
- United States Champion Ilja Dragunov open challenge
