Final WWE US title tournament first round match set for next week

After Xavier Woods advanced last night, the first round of WWE’s United States title tournament is set to conclude on SmackDown next week.

Mojo Rawley vs. Zack Ryder is the final match scheduled for the opening round. Rawley cut a pre-taped promo on Ryder that aired on last night’s show, promising to defeat him and to send him back to the past where he belongs. The winner of Rawley vs. Ryder will face Bobby Roode in the semifinals.

The other semifinal match will be Jinder Mahal vs. Woods. Mahal defeated Tye Dillinger to advance last week and Woods beat Aiden English this Tuesday. The semifinals will occur on SmackDown over the next few weeks, with the new champion scheduled to be crowned when the finals take place at the Royal Rumble in Philadelphia on January 28th.

Before SmackDown went on the air last night, Rawley defeated Ryder in a dark match.

The Ascension vs. The Bludgeon Brothers was also set up for next Tuesday in a post-SmackDown video where Breezango volunteered The Ascension for the match.