WWE SmackDown Notes: U.S. Championship Invitational Tournament

Prior to the start of Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Raleigh, North Carolina, WWE announced that they will be holding a United States Championship Invitational tournament to determine the next official challenger for Austin Theory. This tournament was announced to feature two Fatal Four-way matches with the first taking place on tonight’s show.

This first tournament match featured Santos Escobar defeating Grayson Waller, Butch, and AJ Styles.

The finish to this match involved Escobar hitting a sunset flip Tower of Doom style triple powerbomb to Styles, Butch, and Waller off the top rope. Escobar then hit a series of knee strikes on everyone and a Phantom Driver to Waller for a near fall. Following some more action by all four guys, Styles picked up Butch for a Styles Clash but was distracted by Karrion Kross appearing on the big screen attacking The O.C. backstage. This led to Style exiting the ring but was hit from behind by Waller to take him out. Waller then hit a running rolling Stunner to Butch only to leave himself open to get hit by Escobar’s top rope splash resulting in Escobar getting the pinfall victory and advancing to the finals of the U.S. Championship Invitational tournament.

#LWO‘s @EscobarWWE advances to the finals for an #USTitle opportunity 🇲🇽#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/kOdoLiGASY

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) July 15, 2023

Santos Escobar will face off against the winner of next week’s Fatal Four-way match in the Finals of the U.S. Championship Invitational tournament on the July 28th SmackDown show.

Next week’s Fatal Four-way match will feature Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, Cameron Grimes, and LA Knight.

The United States Championship Invitational continues NEXT WEEK on #SmackDown! 🇺🇸@reymysterio @WWESheamus @CGrimesWWE @RealLAKnight

📺 8e/5p on @FS1 pic.twitter.com/z3GsR5sUZA

— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2023