WWE SmackDown video highlights: US title tournament begins
The tournament to crown a new United States Champion began on SmackDown last night.
Daniel Bryan announced the tournament in the opening segment after last week’s storyline where Dolph Ziggler left the title in the ring and seemingly walked out. It will be single-elimination and will feature eight wrestlers, and Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal vs. Tye Dillinger were the first two matches to take place.
Elsewhere on SmackDown, AJ Styles faced Kevin Owens in a non-title match that could have implications for Styles’ Royal Rumble direction, The Usos’ next challengers were decided, and The Riott Squad were outnumbered by Natalya, Carmella, Lana, and Tamina following Ruby Riott vs. Naomi.
More coverage from last night —
- WWE Madison Square Garden live results: Reigns vs. Cena
- WWE 205 Live results: Alexander & Ali vs. Gulak & Daivari
- Tag Team title match set for first WWE SmackDown of 2018
- WWE announces tournament to crown new United States Champion
- WWE SmackDown live results: The final episode of 2017
WWE SmackDown video highlights —
Bryan announces a US title tournament, makes a tag team number one contender’s match
New Day vs. Rusev & English vs. Gable & Benjamin (winners challenge The Usos next week)
Shane and Bryan disagree over the US title tournament and this week’s main event
Breezango vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
The Ascension challenge The Bludgeon Brothers again on behalf of Breezango
Naomi vs. Ruby Riott, The Riott Squad gets outnumbered after the match
Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin in a US title tournament first round match
Tye Dillinger vs. Jinder Mahal in a US title tournament first round match
Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura officially enter next month’s Royal Rumble
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens in a non-title match
SmackDown fallout: AJ Styles doesn’t elaborate on what happened at the end of the show
SmackDown fallout: Natalya will be part of the women’s Royal Rumble
SmackDown fallout: Jinder Mahal plans on becoming the next US Champion
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.