LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura United States title match set for WWE SmackDown

  • Ian Carey
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LA Knight has a chance to regain the WWE United States Championship.

WWE.com has announced that Knight will challenge Shinsuke Nakamura for the title on next week’s SmackDown.

“The United States Championship will be on the line when LA Knight challenges Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura defeated Knight to win the title at Survivor Series on Nov. 30 and has held it tightly since. The Megastar has been relentless in his quest to regain the title, recently defeating The Miz to become the No. 1 Contender and setting the stage for this incredible rematch. Will Knight regain the United States Championship, or will Nakamura continue his reign? Find out on Friday Night SmackDown at 8 ET/7 CT on USA,” reads a WWE.com preview for the match.

Nakamura won the championship by defeating Knight at Survivor Series in Vancouver on November 30. He then traveled to Japan, where he defeated Ulka Sasaki at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s New Year’s Day show at the Nippon Budokan. Nakamura and Knight faced off again on the January 10 episode of SmackDown, where Nakamura lost via disqualification.

On this week’s SmackDown, Nakamura attacked Knight during a tag team match where Knight and R-Truth faced The Miz and Carmelo Hayes.

Next week’s SmackDown will take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, one night before WWE Elimination Chamber at Rogers Centre. No other matches have been officially confirmed, but SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed United States Champion Chelsea Green that she will have an opponent on the show, though he did not reveal who it will be.

WWE SmackDown, Friday, February 28, 2025, advertised lineup:

  • WWE United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defends against LA Knight
  • WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green vs. TBA