Andrade, Elias advance to WWE King of the Ring quarterfinals

Both heels won their King of the Ring matches on this week’s SmackDown.

Andrade defeated Apollo Crews to advance to the quarterfinals, while Elias advanced by defeating Kevin Owens.

Both matches involved outside interference. After Zelina Vega got involved, Andrade hit a back elbow and the hammerlock DDT to defeat Crews. Shane McMahon made himself a referee for Elias vs. Owens as the match was going on. Shane did a fast count when Elias rolled up Owens.

Ali vs. Buddy Murphy and Chad Gable vs. Shelton Benjamin are the remaining first-round matches on the SmackDown side of the bracket. The winner of Ali vs. Murphy will face Elias in the quarterfinals. The winner of Gable vs. Benjamin will take on Andrade.

Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander advanced to the quarterfinals by winning their matches on this Monday’s Raw. Ricochet vs. Drew McIntyre and The Miz vs. Baron Corbin are the two first-round matches left on the Raw side of the bracket.

The rest of the first-round matches will take place next week.

The finals of King of the Ring are being held at Clash of Champions on September 15.