Open challenge added to WWE SmackDown lineup

Tiffany Stratton WWE SmackDown
Tiffany Stratton will issue an open challenge for her WWE United States title. (Image credit: WWE)

Update —

WWE has announced that Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton will issue an open challenge for her title on SmackDown tonight:

  • After successfully defending her title against Kiana James two weeks ago, Tiffany Stratton will issue a Women’s United States Championship Open Challenge.

Plus, Carmelo Hayes will have a message for United States Champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty:

After returning to SmackDown to defeat Ricky Saints last week, Carmelo Hayes has a message for United States Champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty.

**********

An appearance by the WWE Women’s Champion will be opening SmackDown tonight.

WWE has announced that Rhea Ripley will kick off tonight’s SmackDown in Lexington, Kentucky. Her WWE Women’s Championship rematch with Jade Cargill could be made official, with Ripley set to respond to the challenge that Cargill laid down last Friday. Clash in Italy on May 31 will be the location for that bout once it’s confirmed.

We do know that Ripley and Cargill will face off against each other in a six-woman tag bout at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event this weekend. Ripley is teaming with Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss against Cargill, Michin & B-Fab.

Ripley became WWE Women’s Champion when she won the belt from Cargill at WrestleMania 42. Their feud resumed when Cargill returned on the May 8 episode of SmackDown, interrupting a match where Ripley, Flair & Bliss were facing Fatal Influence.

Rupp Area is hosting tonight’s SmackDown episode. Here is the announced lineup:

WWE SmackDown (Friday, May 22) —

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Gunther continue the build to their Clash in Italy match
  • Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton issues an open challenge
  • Carmelo Hayes has a message for United States Champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga
  • WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley kicks off the show and responds to Jade Cargill’s 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.