Last night’s episode of SmackDown proved to be a memorable one as it featured a title change during the show. Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Rusev to win the United States Championship during the Royal Rumble Kickoff show. Just two days later, R-Truth was able to win the US title for himself on SmackDown. After complaining about Nia Jax taking his spot in this past Sunday’s Royal Rumble match on last night’s show, R-Truth was granted a match for the US title. He was able to defeat Nakamura and Rusev back to back in order to win the championship. The win marks the beginning of R-Truth’s second run as United States Champion, and it is also the first time that he has held gold in WWE since 2012.
DID @RonKillings JUST PIN @ShinsukeN TO BECOME THE NEW #USChampion?!?
YES. YES HE DID! #SDLive #USTitle pic.twitter.com/Fr2XvQXF6M
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2019
A tag team match appears to be set for next week’s episode of SmackDown. Following R-Truth’s wins over Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, they both worked together to beat down the new US Champion. Later in the evening, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson mocked Rusev for losing the title. Nakamura then appeared and accepted a request for a tag team match between himself and Rusev against the “Good Brothers.” When this match will be taking place was not specified, but it could be taking place as early as next Tuesday night. Rusev warned Nakamura not to turn on him during the tag team match, so it will be interesting to see whether or not these two foes can work together during their upcoming match against Gallows & Anderson.
.@LukeGallowsWWE & @KarlAndersonWWE just challenged @RusevBUL & @ShinsukeN! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/BU0btPs8ef
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2019
Numerous stars from the NXT roster have been appearing on EVOLVE Wrestling events over the past few months. Another major star from the NXT brand is on his way to compete on a few EVOLVE shows, and that star is former North American Champion Ricochet. “The One and Only” is coming back to EVOLVE for shows on March 15th in Melrose, Massachusetts and on March 16th in Queens, New York. Ricochet has made appearances for EVOLVE in the past, but this will be his first time competing in EVOLVE as an NXT Superstar. Ricochet is only the latest NXT wrestler to be announced for EVOLVE shows. Johnny Gargano returned to EVOLVE recently, and Adam Cole is also set to compete for the promotion next month.
BREAKING NEWS….
Ricochet returns to EVOLVE on March 15th in Melrose, MA and March 16th in Queens, NY! Tickets at https://t.co/85RwPfUwQ8.
Ricochet will wrestle and be available for meet & greets at both events! #OneAndOnly #NXT pic.twitter.com/tMF8KFsg46
— EVOLVE Wrestling (@WWNEVOLVE) January 29, 2019