This week’s “SmackDown” felt extra like a valley in comparison with the height of final week. Not each present could be a dwelling run, however we did see a brand new champion topped, as a returning Ilja Dragunov defeated Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship. Cody Rhodes confirmed a way more aggressive aspect, fed up with Drew McIntyre’s antics. An impromptu Undisputed title match broke out after Jacob Fatu was attacked backstage, which ended with Rhodes dropping by disqualification after hitting McIntyre together with his title belt. Might this have been a second to permit McIntyre achieve the victory and the championship amidst Cody’s emotional rage and ensuing carelessness?

Charlotte Aptitude and Alexa Bliss def. Zaria and Sol Ruca
Ilja Dragunov def. Sami Zayn to develop into the brand new U.S. champion
Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons def. Los Garza
Drew McIntyre def. Cody Rhodes by DQ

We noticed a extra aggressive aspect of Rhodes — darkish colours, utilizing the championship as a weapon in opposition to McIntyre — although it’s probably as a result of he’s fed up with McIntyre’s antics. Nevertheless it was additionally a small glimpse into what a heel Rhodes might appear to be — a chance at all times on the minds of some WWE followers. However that appears unlikely in the meanwhile since Rhodes is in line to take over the entire tasks because the face of the WWE with John Cena retiring in December. Although I can positively see totally different sides of his character, I don’t see him changing into a full-fledged heel within the close to future.

There’s unresolved beef between McIntyre and Rhodes, and a No. 1 contender wasn’t decided on “SmackDown.” Fatu had trussing pushed onto him in a grotesque scene that noticed him on the ground backstage bleeding from the mouth with enamel knocked out, unable to compete within the No. 1 contendership match. Fatu has been sturdy in his interactions with Rhodes and McIntyre, but when reviews about Fatu being injured are true, then he can positively step proper again into the title image upon his return.

Dragunov returned to WWE motion for the primary time since struggling a torn ACL over a 12 months in the past. He answered Sami Zayn’s U.S. Title Open Problem name and it was a terrific match. Solo Sikoa made his presence felt through the match and distracted Zayn simply sufficient for Dragunov to capitalize and hit a Torpedo Moscow adopted by an H-Bomb to win the U.S. Championship. This match served plenty of nice functions. We obtained the factor of shock, not solely due to Dragunov’s return, however his title victory leads properly into an eventual Zayn vs. Sikoa and the MFTs — who attacked each Zayn and Dragunov postmatch. Zayn vs. Sikoa is a rivalry that doesn’t essentially want a championship on the road. Rey Fenix tried to return to assist Zayn and Dragunov, however was flattened by Tama Tonga. This set of occasions may need planted the seed for the MFTs in opposition to this assortment of wrestlers they’ve attacked upon their return — Zayn, Dragunov, Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura and yet one more? The Wyatt Sicks are additionally within the combine, which supplies the MFTs no scarcity of opponents, particularly for Survivor Collection: WarGames on Nov. 29.

Zayn as soon as once more proved that he can placed on a top quality match with any opponent, whether or not it’s a legend, excessive flyer, technician or a Celebrity coming back from damage. He did the entire above throughout his U.S. Open Title Problem run.

Blake Monroe was within the crowd watching Sol Ruca, who she is going to problem quickly for the NXT Ladies’s Title, pairing with Zaria in a defeat in opposition to Charlotte Aptitude and Alexa Bliss. It felt like a letdown seeing this match occur so quickly, with the point of interest being the NXT Ladies’s Title match; not as a result of I’m not wanting ahead to that match, however as a result of I assumed we would get extra battle and resilience from Ruca and Zaria earlier than they lastly obtained their title shot. This felt slightly rushed.