5 WWE stars who can reply Ilja Dragunov’s United States title Open Problem this week on SmackDown

WWE star Ilja Dragunov has continued John Cena and Sami Zayn’s United States title Open Problem on SmackDown. Aleister Black was the primary star to reply his model of the problem, however Damian Priest price him.

Names like Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura, and NXT’s Je’Von Evans are among the many names to get a title shot via the US Open Problem.

This week’s SmackDown falls on Halloween, so anticipate some spooky programming. Any of the subsequent 5 WWE stars may reply The Mad Dragon’s name this week.

#5. Damian Priest is a former United States Champion

Priest has price Aleister Black twice when he is challenged for the US Championship through the Open Challenges. It felt like their feud ended when Black gained a Final Man Standing match.

That wasn’t the case, so by costing his rival an opportunity to win a title, the previous World Heavyweight Champion could attempt to safe one other singles belt.

This could enable Black and Zelina Vega to actual revenge on The Archer of Infamy for costing him in opposition to Dragonov final week.

#4. Oba Femi debuts on SmackDown

Former NXT Champion Oba Femi hasn’t been seen since dropping his title to Ricky Saints at No Mercy in late September. That is over a month off programming, but it surely could possibly be for a couple of causes.

The primary is that he is biding his time to return to NXT and reclaim his championship. The opposite is that he is being saved for a shock second or potential call-up to RAW or SmackDown.

Femi resembles Brock Lesnar and Bron Breakker in that he is a bodily anomaly able to spectacular acts of energy. The previous NXT Champion may announce his arrival by answering Dragunov’s name on SmackDown.

#3. Nathan Frazer takes a shot

Each members of Fraxiom conversed with Dragunov backstage final week after his victory over Aleister Black. They loved the motion the Open Challenges offered, and he playfully inspired each performers to step up.

Axiom misplaced to Jasper Troy in a Velocity Tourament match on this week’s NXT. Which means Nathan Frazer could possibly be wrestling in singles motion on this week’s SmackDown.

The 2 return to their days in NXT UK. Frazer may present The Mad Dragon with a unique problem of a star with lightning-fast offense.

Since Fraxiom has been passively feuding with DIY, Johnny Gargano or Tommaso Ciampa may price him the match.

#2. Montez Ford branches out in singles motion

With such a stacked tag workforce division on SmackDown, it is smart for members of some duos to department out in singles competitors every now and then. The Avenue Income have teased a break-up for months, however nothing has occurred.

They already misplaced the WWE Tag Group titles to the Wyatt Sicks and fell quick of their rematch. The following logical step could be for Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins to go their separate methods.

Ford already competed for the US Championship within the 2023 Elimination Chamber match. He additionally competed in a Cash within the Financial institution qualifying match in the identical yr.

#1. Santos Escobar makes an attempt so as to add gold to his legacy

Santos Escobar re-signed with WWE in early October after his earlier deal expired. He is been off SmackDown, however each Angel and Berto have continued to seem as members of Legado Del Fantasma.

What higher method for The Emperor of Lucha Libre to return than in a United States Championship Open Problem match? Dragunov would doubtless should cope with all three members in a possible showdown.

Escobar challenged for the title on quite a few different events, so it would not be a stretch to re-emerge in one other contest surrounding the belt.