The last episode of “SmackDown” presented a show with ups and downs, although it left memorable moments for wrestling fans.
Dragunov Crowned Champion
Ilja Dragunov’s return to action was one of the highlights of the night, achieving a victory over Sami Zayn and conquering the WWE United States Championship. This triumph marks an important milestone in Dragunov’s career, who returned after recovering from an injury.The match was intense and full of emotion, with Solo Sikoa getting involved to distract Zayn, which allowed Dragunov to capitalize and secure the victory.
- Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defeated Zaria and Sol Ruca
- Ilja Dragunov defeated Sami Zayn to become the new US champion
- Motor City Machine Guns defeated Los Garza
- Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes by DQ
Cody Rhodes: A New Dark Side?
Cody Rhodes showed a more aggressive side, using the championship as a weapon against Drew McIntyre. This change in attitude suggests a possible turn towards a “heel” character, although it seems unlikely at this moment, as Rhodes is expected to take a leading role in WWE.The Undisputed Championship match, which unexpectedly arose, ended with Rhodes losing by disqualification, which could have been a strategic moment for McIntyre.
Other Highlights and Rivalries
The night also left the rivalry between McIntyre and Rhodes open, without a defined contender for the championship. In addition, a brutal attack on Jacob Fatu, who suffered an injury, prevented his participation in the match for the number one contender.The return of Dragunov and his victory open the door to future rivalries, including a possible confrontation between Zayn and Sikoa, as well as the threat of the MFTs, who attacked several wrestlers, including Zayn, Dragunov and Rey Fenix.Sami Zayn once again demonstrated his ability to deliver quality matches against any opponent.Finally, Blake Monroe was present observing Sol Ruca, whom she will challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship. The match between Flair and Bliss against Ruca and Zaria seemed rushed, which detracted from the excitement of the upcoming NXT title fight.
