WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is the new United States Champion.
WWE did an injury angle on Friday’s SmackDown, with Austin Theory attacking Santos Escobar backstage. Mysterio substituted for the injured Escobar, defeating Theory for the title. After Theory attacked Escobar a second time, Adam Pearce ordered Theory to defend the championship.
Escobar had won the United States Title Invitational Tournament two weeks ago, when he defeated Mysterio in the finals.
Theory’s run as the United States Champion last 258 days. He defeated Seth Rollins in a Triple Threat at last year’s Survivor Series that also featured Bobby Lashley.
Below is an excerpt from Roy Nemer’s full WWE SmackDown recap of how it all went down.
Back from commercial and the match is already under way. Rey with a cross body off the second rope. He goes for the cover but Theory kicks out. Rey climbs the second rope but Theory gets Rey on his shoulders. Rey with right hands and he slams Theory into the turnbuckle. Rey goes for the cover but Theory kicks out. Both men get to their feet and Theory with a kick to the face. He lifts Rey up on his shoulders but Rey lands on his feet and he kicks Theory with a kick to the side of the head. Rey gets him down on the second rope. He goes for the 619 but Theory catches him. He places Rey on his shoulders but Theory is in pain. Rey trips him up on the second rope and hits him with the 619 followed by a splash off the top rope. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.