US title open challenge, more matches set for WWE SmackDown

The lineup for tonight’s SmackDown in Omaha, Nebraska is close to complete based on what’s already been announced.

Joining Asuka vs. James Ellsworth, three more matches have now been made official for the show. Those are: Jeff Hardy issuing a United States Championship open challenge for the second straight week, WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Aiden English in a non-title match, and Becky Lynch vs. Peyton Royce.

Hardy was originally scheduled to defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura last week before Nakamura was pulled due to his dog-bite injury. Eric Young answered Hardy’s open challenge on the show, but it turned into Hardy & The Usos vs. SAnitY. Tonight’s match is being billed as an “Independence Day United States Open Challenge.”

Lynch vs. Royce was first advertised for last Tuesday, but Lynch ended up facing Sonya Deville instead.

WWE has announced that Daniel Bryan and Kane will be opening the episode after reuniting last week, and The New Day will be facing off against each other in the “First Annual Third of July Pancake Eating Contest.”

Bryan & Kane are set to challenge for The Bludgeon Brothers’ SmackDown Tag Team titles at Extreme Rules on July 15. Tonight’s Styles vs. English match will also continue the build to Styles’ WWE Championship defense against Rusev at the pay-per-view.