Austin Theory crowned new WWE US title number one contender

The first challenger of Rey Mysterio’s current WWE United States title reign is set following Friday’s SmackDown. 

Former US champ Austin Theory defeated LA Knight in a number one contender’s match on Friday’s SmackDown in Toronto to earn a shot at Rey Mysterio’s US title. 

Theory pinned Knight after a distraction from The Miz to win Friday’s bout and set up a future title match. No date has been set for the bout. 

Mysterio defeated Theory to win the US title on the August 11 SmackDown, substituting for Santos Escobar in a scheduled title bout. Escobar won a United States Championship Invitational tournament to earn a shot at Theory’s title, but was attacked by Theory prior to the match. 

Mysterio had been legitimately injured in the finals of the United States Championship Invitational tournament, and was believed to have been suffering from whiplash after catching Escobar on a dive during their bout. The match was stopped, and Escobar was declared the winner by referee stoppage. Mysterio’s injury was not deemed serious, as he was back in action two weeks later. 

Theory is a two-time US Champion, while Mysterio is currently in his third reign with the title.

As for Knight, his cross-brand feud with The Miz which is playing out on both Raw and SmackDown appears set to continue following the events of Friday’s SmackDown.