U.S. title defense, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley tag match set for next WWE SmackDown

Ilja Dragunov WWE

After weeks of teasing, Ilja Dragunov will finally face Tommaso Ciampa on next week’s WWE SmackDown with the United States title on the line.

Since defeating Sami Zayn for the gold a couple of months ago, Dragunov has been hosting weekly open challenges. However, Ciampa has never been able to compete for the title.

During Dragunov’s title match against Carmelo Hayes on Friday, Ciampa interfered and cost Hayes the match. Frustrated by the controversial title retention, Dragunov later appeared in a backstage segment and requested that General Manager Nick Aldis put him against Ciampa in a championship match

Earlier in the night, Damian Priest also challenged longtime foe Aleister Black to a mixed tag team match next week as he and Rhea Ripley will reunite the Terror Twins against Black and Zelina Vega.

Ripley and Priest last teamed together on September 29 edition against Karrion Kross & Scarlett.

WWE SmackDown lineup | Friday, December 12 | Wilkes-Barre, PA

  • Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black & Zelina Vega
  • WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov defends against Tommaso Ciampa
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