Tag: Wwe United States Title Contender’s Tournament

US title contender’s tournament semifinals set for next WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The United States Championship contender’s tournament semifinals, an NXT North American title bout, plus an eight-woman tag match are set for next week’s WWE SmackDown.

Kevin Owens and Carmelo Hayes advanced in the title contender’s tournament on this week’s episode to advance to the semifinals. Owens defeated Austin Theory, while Hayes beat Grayson Waller to advance. Owens and Hayes will now square off on next week’s show. The other semifinal bout is already set, as Bobby Lashley will face Santos Escobar. The eventual tournament winner will challenge Logan Paul for the United States Championship. 

Also set for next week, NXT North American Champion Dragon Lee will defend his title against Butch of The Brawling Brutes. 

A “Holiday Havoc” tag match will also be held, with Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY, Bayley, Asuka, and Kairi Sane facing Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Zelina Vega, and Michin. 

Next week’s SmackDown is being taped tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The announced lineup for the Friday, December 22 SmackDown: 

  • United States title contender’s tournament semifinals: Bobby Lashley vs. Santos Escobar
  • United States title contender’s tournament semifinals: Kevin Owens vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • NXT North American Champion Dragon Lee defends against Butch
  • Holiday Havoc: Damage CTRL (IYO SKY, Bayley, Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs. Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Zelina Vega & Michin

Carmelo Hayes set for WWE United States title contender’s tournament

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Carmelo Hayes will take part in the WWE United States Championship contender’s tournament. 

As revealed by Shawn Michaels in a video posted to WWE’s social media channels on Sunday, Hayes will be the NXT star facing Grayson Waller in a quarterfinals match on the Friday, December 15 SmackDown episode. 

An NXT star’s inclusion in the tournament had been announced from the outset, but the reveal had not been made until the Michaels video was posted. 

Hayes is coming off a victory over Lexis King at Saturday’s NXT Deadline event. 

Kevin Owens will face Austin Theory in another quarterfinals match on Friday’s SmackDown. On the other side of the bracket, Bobby Lashley and Santos Escobar have already advanced to the semifinals after wins on this past Friday’s episode. 

The tournament winner will challenge United States Champion Logan Paul at a date yet to be announced. Paul defeated Rey Mysterio at last month’s Crown Jewel event to win the US title. 

The updated lineup for SmackDown in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Friday, December 15:

  • Roman Reigns returns
  • US title contender’s tournament: Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory
  • US title contender’s tournament: Grayson Waller vs. Carmelo Hayes

Bobby Lashley, Santos Escobar advance in WWE US title contender’s tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Santos Escobar and Bobby Lashley have advanced in the WWE United States title tournament.

Escobar defeated Dragon Lee in the first match on Friday’s SmackDown, cutting off Lee and pinning him with the phantom driver. Later in the show, Bobby Lashley defeated Karrion Kross with a spear. According to the brackets released on Friday’s SmackDown, they will meet each other in the semifinals.

The other side of the bracket has Grayson Waller facing an unnamed NXT star and Austin Theory facing off against Kevin Owens.

Logan Paul announced the tournament to set his next contender for the United States title on last week’s SmackDown. Kevin Owens came out in response and the two had a confrontation, with Paul telling Owens that he’s faced the best boxer in the world, and six seconds is more than he needs to KO Kevin Owens.

During his match against Waller that went down immediately after the confrontation, Kevin Owens broke his hand in storyline. Announcers on SmackDown Friday continued to pushed Owens’ injury.