'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After defeating Aiden English, Xavier Woods of The New Day will advance to the semi-finals of the United States Tournament and will take on Jinder Mahal.
Additionally, the finals will be taking place at the Royal Rumble event itself.
In case you didn’t know...
Dolph Ziggler won the United States Championship defeating Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view. However, Ziggler would seemingly relinquish the title and walk out of the WWE which prompted Daniel Bryan to announce a tournament for the now vacant title.
The heart of the matter
Woods and English faced off with The New Day and Rusev in their respective corners. The match was short, but the crowd was lively for both men for the entire contest.
The match came to an end when Woods knocked English from the top rope to the apron and hit him with his tightrope Elbow Drop for the victory.
Woods’ victory on SmackDown marks the preliminary round of the tournament nearing its end with the semi-finals beginning in two weeks.
Woods will face Mahal in the semi-finals of the tournament, but Bobby Roode’s opponent will either be Zack Ryder or Mojo Rawley who are set to compete next week on SmackDown in the final match of the preliminary rounds.
If Ryder emerges victorious next week, he will get his shot at becoming a two-time United States Champion. However, if Rawley, the rest of the tournament will be competitors who’ve never held the United States Championship competing for the title.
Who will be crowned the new United States Champion at the Royal Rumble?
What’s next?
Considering the momentum Rawley built for himself following his heel turn and the breakup of the Hype Bros, Rawley is the favourite next week to win the match and advance to the finals.
Author’s take
The United States Championship tournament has added more intrigue to SmackDown with matches fans don’t often see.
Hopefully, the rest of the tournament is just as enjoyable.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
