SmackDown just threw a massive curveball at the United States Championship scene.
Originally, Shinsuke Nakamura was set to defend his title against LA Knight, but now WWE is going in a completely different direction. PWInsider Elite reports that a mini tournament will take place tonight on SmackDown to crown a new number one contender for the U.S. Title.
Instead of the advertised championship match, WWE is rolling out a three-match tournament, with the winners advancing to a triple threat finale. The tournament lineup features:
- LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar
- Jacob Fatu vs. Andrade
- Carmelo Hayes vs. Braun Strowman
This shift raises a lot of questions. Why the sudden change? Did WWE scrap the title match for a bigger long-term story, or is Nakamuras reign already in jeopardy? One things for surethis tournament just added some major unpredictability to SmackDown.
LA Knight still has a shot to earn his title opportunity, but hell have to get through Santos Escobar first. Meanwhile, the newly signed Jacob Fatu makes his SmackDown debut against Andrade in what could be a brutal showdown. Then, Carmelo Hayes and Braun Strowman face off in a battle of speed vs. power. With a triple threat match waiting for the winners, anything can happen by the end of the night.
WWE SmackDown February 22, 2025 Full Card
- WWE US Title Tournament
- Chelsea Green vs. Mystery Opponent
- Trish Stratus to Appear
- Cody Rhodes to Appear
Be sure to tune in live and follow along withRingside Newsfor full play-by-play coverage over in ourSmackDown resultssection.
Who do you think will survive this tournament and challenge for the U.S. Title? Drop your predictions below!
