According to a new report from PWInsider, atitle match is planned for tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The “word” at the taping in Denver, Colorado, is that JD McDonagh will challenge Ilja Dragunov for the United States Championship.
This matchup has not been officially announced in WWE’s show preview. Dragunov has established himself as a fighting champion since winning the gold, often vowing to face any and all challengers.
The reported title match comes on a night already featuring tournament action. The opening round of the “Last Time is Now” Tournament concludes tonight on the USA Network. Raw superstars Finn Balor and Penta will cross brand lines to face each other, while Carmelo Hayes takes on “Big” Bronson Reed. The winners will advance to the quarterfinals to join names like GUNTHER, Sheamus, and Jey Uso in the race to face John Cena.
In addition to the tournament, the tag team division will be in the spotlight as Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) take on #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano). Tensions boiled over last week when Ciampa, frustrated by his inability to secure a United States Championship match, attacked Axiom.
The show will also feature a segment with Chelsea Green, who recently became the first-ever two-time Women’s United States Champion. Green has requested a “grand inauguration” to celebrate the beginning of her second term with the title.
