WWE Star Triumphantly Wins Championship on SmackDown Return From Injury
WWE SmackDown delivered a memorable episode filled with surprises, including a star’s impressive return from injury and a championship title change. The event took place in San Jose and featured a main event between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, although that wasn’t the night’s biggest highlight.
Ilja Dragunov Returns and Wins Championship
During the episode, Sami Zayn hosted an open challenge for the WWE United States Championship. Unexpectedly, The Miz interrupted, expressing his frustration over the ongoing challenges. However, he was quickly attacked by Carmelo Hayes, prompting WWE security to intervene.
In a surprising twist, Ilja Dragunov made his return after over a year due to an ACL injury. Commentators noted that Zayn likely did not anticipate Dragunov as a challenger. The match featured a fiercely competitive exchange, marred by external distractions. Solo Sikoa made an appearance, attempting to divert Sami’s attention, but Zayn managed to avoid Dragunov’s attack.
The climax of the match came when Dragunov executed an H-Bomb, securing a pinfall victory and winning the WWE United States Championship. At 32, he became the first Russian-born pro wrestler to achieve this milestone, adding to his accolades that include the NXT Championship and the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
Post-Match Chaos
Following Dragunov’s celebration, tension escalated as Solo Sikoa and his faction attacked both competitors. Rey Fenix attempted to intervene but also faced a brutal assault. A surprising turn of events occurred when the lights dimmed, and a message from Bo Dallas and The Wyatt Sicks flashed on the screen, signaling their intentions. This confrontation hints at a future clash, possibly at Survivor Series: War Games.
Other Matches on SmackDown
In addition to the championship bout, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair defended their titles against NXT stars Sol Ruca and Zaria. The match saw Charlotte skillfully apply a Figure Four before Ruca tapped out, securing the victory.
The main event originally slated for Drew McIntyre against Jacob Fatu faced an unexpected change. Fatu was injured during a backstage incident involving equipment, leading to him being unable to compete. General manager Nick Aldis confronted McIntyre, and tensions rose when Cody Rhodes entered the scene. This led to an impromptu match that ended in disqualification, followed by a chaotic brawl.
- Event: WWE SmackDown
- Location: San Jose
- Key return: Ilja Dragunov
- Championship won: WWE United States Championship
- Significance: First Russian-born champion in WWE history
This episode of SmackDown proved that unexpected returns and intense rivalries continue to keep WWE fans engaged.
