Detailed Results
SmackDown LIVE kicks off with The New Day as The New Day’s Xavier Woods, with Big E & Kofi Kingston in his corner, would face “The Modern Day Maharaja” Jinder Mahal, with The Singh Brothers, in the first Semi-Final Match of the United States Championship Tournament with the winner advancing to the Finals of the tournament, which will now take place on next week’s SmackDown LIVE. During the match, The Singh Brothers would get on the ring apron but Big E & Kofi Kingston were quick to chase Samir & Sunil all the way to the back, ensuring that the match remains truly one-on-one. After moving out of the way of the Up, Up, Down, Down, Jinder Mahal would hit the Khallas, putting Xavier Woods away as “The Modern Day Maharaja” picks up the win, advancing to the Finals of the United States Championship Tournament next week where he will face either Bobby Roode or Mojo Rawley to determine the new champion.
With Jinder Mahal awaiting the winner in the Finals, “Glorious” Bobby Roode would go one-on-one with Mojo Rawley in the Semi-Finals of the United States Championship Tournament on SmackDown LIVE. In the end, it was Bobby Roode connecting with the Glorious DDT to Mojo Rawley, pinning Mojo to pick up the win and advance to the Finals to face Jinder Mahal next week. After the match, Bobby Roode’s celebration would be cut short by The Singh Brothers, who ambush “The Glorious One” before making a quick escape from the ring, joining Jinder Mahal on the stage.
Jinder tells Roode that, next week, he is going to put an end to Roode’s “charade” on his way to becoming the new United States Champion. Roode responds by telling Jinder that they don’t have to wait until next week, challenging Jinder Mahal to have the Finals right here tonight! However, “The Modern Day Maharaja” declines, saying that he wants Roode to sit and think about how he is going to “embarrass” him next week. Jinder then turns around to come face-to-face with SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan as the GM grants Bobby Roode’s wish, announcing that the Finals of the United States Championship Tournament will take place tonight!
With the Women’s Royal Rumble Match less than two weeks away, five of the thirty participants were in action on SmackDown LIVE as SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair would team with Becky Lynch and Naomi to face all three members of The Riott Squad in a 6-Woman Tag Match. In the end, it was Ruby Riott catching Naomi with a kick to the face, allowing Liv Morgan to follow up with the Codebreaker as Liv pins Naomi to pick up the win for The Riott Squad.
Backstage, an interview with SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos is interrupted by their Royal Rumble opponents, Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin as Gable & Benjamin attack the champions from behind, leaving The Usos laying. Gable & Benjamin then say that they know exactly who The Usos are, saying that, after the Royal Rumble, The Usos will be the “former champions”.
Then it was time for the main event as a brand new United States Champion would be crowned as “Glorious” Bobby Roode would go one-on-one with “The Modern Day Maharaja” Jinder Mahal in the Finals of the United States Championship Tournament with SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon and SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan both at ringside. Throughout the match, Bobby Roode would struggle with his injured ribs but, when Jinder Mahal went for the Khallas, Roode would counter, hitting Jinder with the Glorious DDT and pinning Mahal to become the brand new United States Champion! After the match, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan would enter the ring, handing the United States Title to Bobby Roode as “The Glorious One” proudly holds the United States Title high above his head.
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