The last episode of “SmackDown” presented key moments that set the course for WWE programming, although it did not reach the intensity of the previous week. Despite this, the show left us with a new champion and unexpected twists.
Dragunov Conquers the United States Championship
The return of Ilja Dragunov was one of the highlights of the night, who defeated Sami Zayn to be crowned the new United States Champion. Dragunov, after overcoming an injury, proved his worth in the ring, offering an exciting and action-packed match.
“SmackDown” Results
- Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defeated Zaria and Sol Ruca.
- Ilja Dragunov defeated Sami Zayn to become the new United States champion.
- Motor City Machine Guns defeated Los Garza.
- Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes by disqualification.
Cody Rhodes: A New Dark Side?
Cody Rhodes showed a more aggressive side, using the championship as a weapon against Drew McIntyre. This attitude sparked speculation about a possible character change towards the “heel” side. However, given his current role as a central figure in WWE, this transformation seems unlikely in the near future.
Other Highlights and Rivalries
The rivalry between McIntyre and Rhodes remains unresolved, and a number one contender was not determined on “SmackDown.” An attack on Jacob Fatu, who suffered an injury, prevented his participation in the match for the contender spot.The return of Dragunov and his title victory open up interesting possibilities, including a potential rivalry between Zayn and Solo Sikoa. The post-match attack by The MFTs (The Misftis) against Zayn and Dragunov could be the beginning of a series of confrontations.Sami Zayn once again demonstrated his ability to deliver great matches against any opponent.Blake Monroe was present in the audience observing Sol Ruca, whom she will challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship. The match between Flair and Bliss against Ruca and Zaria felt rushed, with the focus on the NXT title match, detracting from the excitement of the rivalry’s build.
