New announcements made for WWE SmackDown

Update —

WWE has announced that new United States Champion Ilja Dragunov will issue an open challenge for the title on SmackDown tonight. After winning the belt from Sami Zayn last week, Dragunov said it’s his duty to continue the open challenge series that Zayn had instituted.

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his next challenger are both set to appear on SmackDown tonight.

At Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1, the WWE Championship will be on the line with Rhodes defending against Drew McIntyre. Both McIntyre and Jacob Fatu were being positioned as potential challengers to Rhodes until an angle last week where Fatu was taken out in a backstage attack. McIntyre claimed that he wasn’t responsible — but Rhodes did not believe that.

There was then an impromptu title match between Rhodes and McIntyre on SmackDown last week. It quickly ended in a disqualification, setting things up for Saturday Night’s Main Event.

As for their appearances tonight, WWE did not announce any other details except that Rhodes and McIntyre will both be in the building:

  • Last week’s SmackDown featured a heinous attack on Jacob Fatu and a chaotic Undisputed WWE Title Match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre that ended in a disqualification win for McIntyre when The American Nightmare blasted The Scottish Psychopath with the championship.
  • Now, Rhodes and McIntyre prepare for a title clash at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Nov. 1.
  • Brace yourself for all the explosive action, tonight at 8e/7c on SmackDown on USA.

Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona is the venue for SmackDown tonight.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, October 24) —

  • 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
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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.