The last episode of “SmackDown” presented a show with ups and downs, although it left memorable moments for wrestling fans.
Dragunov Crowned Champion
The return of Ilja Dragunov marked a milestone by defeating Sami Zayn and conquering the WWE United States Championship. This match, full of emotion, saw Dragunov demonstrate his worth and determination in the ring.
- 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 Villain?
Cody Rhodes showed a more aggressive side, using the championship as a weapon against Drew McIntyre. This attitude has generated speculation about a possible character change towards the dark side. Despite this, it is unlikely that Rhodes will become a full-time villain, given his role as a main figure in WWE after the eventual retirement of John Cena.The rivalry between McIntyre and Rhodes remains unresolved, and a number one contender was not determined on “SmackDown.” The attack on Jacob Fatu, who suffered an injury that prevented him from competing, adds more tension to the situation.Dragunov’s return was a moment of surprise. His victory over Zayn opens the door to future rivalries, including a possible confrontation between Zayn and Solo Sikoa, with the participation of The MFTs. This event could lay the groundwork for a series of matches between The MFTs and a group of wrestlers, including Zayn, Dragunov, Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura, with The Wyatt Sicks also in the equation. This could lead to an exciting showdown at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 29.Sami Zayn once again demonstrated his ability to deliver high-quality matches, facing different styles of wrestlers during his challenge for the United States title.Blake Monroe was present in the audience, observing Sol Ruca, whom she will challenge for the NXT women’s title. The match between Flair and Bliss against Ruca and Zaria seemed rushed, diminishing the impact of the expected NXT title match.
