The last episode of “SmackDown” presented a show with ups and downs, although it left memorable moments. Despite not reaching the intensity of the previous week, the event crowned a new champion and developed key rivalries.
Dragunov Dethrones Zayn
The return of Ilja Dragunov to WWE action marked a milestone, defeating Sami Zayn and conquering the United States Championship. Dragunov, who was returning after an injury, responded to Zayn’s open challenge and offered an electrifying match. The intervention of Solo Sikoa, although it affected Zayn, allowed Dragunov to execute his “Torpedo Moscow” and secure the victory.
- 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 on the Dark Side?
The confrontation between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre took an unexpected turn. Rhodes showed a more aggressive side, using the championship as a weapon, which suggests a possible character change. Although this attitude could be the result of his rivalry with McIntyre, some fans speculate about a possible transition of Rhodes to the heel side. However, with John Cena retiring in December, this is unlikely to happen, as Rhodes is destined to take on the role of main figure in WWE.
Other Key Points
The rivalry between McIntyre and Rhodes remains unresolved, and a number one contender was not determined on “SmackDown.” Jacob Fatu was brutally attacked backstage, preventing him from competing in the match for the contender spot. If the information about Fatu’s injury is true, he could rejoin the title scene once recovered.The match between Dragunov and Zayn not only stood out for Dragunov’s return, but also for the championship victory, which could lead to future rivalries, including Zayn against Sikoa. The MFTs, who attacked Zayn and Dragunov after the match, could have several opponents, including Rey Fenix and, possibly, Shinsuke Nakamura. In addition, The Wyatt Sicks could also enter the equation, which would open up multiple possibilities for Survivor Series: WarGames on November 29.Sami Zayn once again demonstrated his ability to deliver quality matches against any opponent, while Blake Monroe watched from the audience Sol Ruca, whom he will challenge for the NXT Women’s Title. Ruca and Zaria’s match against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss seemed rushed, detracting from the expected NXT Women’s Title match.
