"Smackdown Live" recently concluded its tournament for the vacant World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) United States championship when Bobby Roode defeated Mojo Rawley and former heavyweight champion Jinder Mahal in the same night to win the belt.
This week's episode of the blue brand saw two semi-final matches for the tournament take place where Jinder Mahal took on The New Day's Xavier Woods and Roode squared off against Mojo Rawley.
Mahal won his semifinal match against Woods in spite of the latter's courageous display. Woods managed to use his speed to outmaneuver Mahal, almost hitting his signature elbow drop on his opponent who rolled out of the way just in the nick of time. Mahal then threw Woods throat-first into the bottom rope, incapacitating him long enough for "The Modern Day Maharaja" to hit his finisher and get the three count.
Bobby Roode struggled against the brute strength of Mojo Rawley, who managed to overpower the smaller Roode each time he tried to make a significant attack. Things only started picking up for "The Glorious One" when he dodged a corner tackle by Rawley, causing his opponent to run shoulder-first into the ring post. He then hit the Glorious DDT on Rawley for the win.
Roode had no time to celebrate, however, when Mahal's associates, Samir and Sunil Singh suddenly stormed the ring and attacked him, but he managed to fight them off. Mahal then entered the ring and proclaimed that he will defeat Roode in next week's finals match, to Roode responded by challenging him to settle things then and there.
General Manager Daniel Bryan then appeared to officially schedule the match for tonight's main event, much to Mahal's anger.
The two then faced each other for the finals of the tournament later in the evening, with Mahal taking the early advantage by targeting Roode's injured ribs, which was caused by Rawley during their semi-final match. Roode somehow managed to make a comeback and send Mahal reeling, but almost fell prey to a quick roll-up by his opponent.
In the closing moments of the Match, Mahal attempted to finish Roode with the "Khallas," but Roode managed to counter, hitting Mahal with the Glorious DDT and pinning him to become the new WWE United States Champion.
The show closed out with Daniel Bryan and Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon awarding Roode his latest championship belt.
