Rey Mysterio wins United States title on WWE SmackDown

Rey Mysterio is the new United States Champion.

Mysterio ended Austin Theory’s long run with the title on Friday’s SmackDown after hitting a 619 to the back of Theory, then connected with a second 619 for the win. This ends Theory’s run with the title after 258 days, having defeated Seth Rollins in a match that also featured Bobby Lashley at last year’s Survivor Series. After the match, Mysterio celebrated with the rest of the LWO as pyro went off.

Santos Escobar had won the United States Title Invitational tournament two weeks ago, defeating Mysterio in the finals to set up a match between himself and Theory for this week’s show. In a show-long storyline, Theory attacked Escobar’s leg as Escobar was being interviewed. Although doctors cleared Escobar, another attack by Theory as Escobar was making his way to the ring prevented him from wrestling. WWE official Adam Pearce told Theory he would still defend the title tonight, but it would be against Mysterio.

This is Rey Mysterio’s third run with the United States championship, having last won it in 2019.