Despite drawing the coveted number 30 spot in the WWE Royal Rumble match, R-Truth had his Rumble win hopes dashed when he was surprise attacked by Nia Jax during his match entrance, leaving him injured an unable to compete.
To compensate for his bad luck at the PPV on Sunday, Truth was granted a shot at Shinsuke Nakamura and the United States Title on Smackdown Live tonight, and Truth picked up a surprise win over Nakamura, who held the title for only 48 hours.
Following the bout, Rusev, the former U.S. Champion, demanded a rematch for the Title, and R-Truth was forced to defend his newly won Championship in the same night he won it. Despite having to wrestle twice, Truth was able to secure a second victory to leave Smackdown with the gold.
EXCLUSIVE: @RonKillings KNEW he would become the #USChampion! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/q3s9MWf1WT
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2019
EXCLUSIVE: There's a new sheriff in town and his name is @RonKillings! #SDLive #AndNew #USTitle pic.twitter.com/z0yo9ohRDc
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2019
Also on Smackdown Live tonight, Daniel Bryan introduced a most unique, “eco-friendly” WWE Championship belt made of wood and hemp.
WWE released a post-Smackdown backstage video featuring Bryan posing with his new title, and you can watch it below.
EXCLUSIVE: The New @WWEDanielBryan could not be more proud as he poses with his eco-friendly #WWEChampionship. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/WQk0V1sTbA
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2019
In other Smackdown Live news, it was officially announced that the newly crowned Tag Team Champions, Shane McMahon and The Miz, will be defending their gold against The Usos at WWE Elimination Chamber next month. The match announcement came after Shane and Miz held a title celebration on Smackdown tonight which featured a special appearance by The Miz’s father.
[lawrence-related id=875599]The Usos earned the right to face the Tag Team Champions when they won a Four Corners tag team elimination match against Heavy Machinery, The Bar and The New Day.
The Tag Title bout joins the two elimination chamber matches set for the PPV, one of which will feature six female tag teams competing for the chance to become the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. The team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville officially declared entry into the match on tonight’s Smackdown Live. Other teams set for the match include The Riott Squad and Nia Jax and Tamina.
On the men’s side of the Elimination Chamber, it was announced that Daniel Bryan will indeed be defending his WWE Title inside the Chamber, and his opponents will be Samoa Joe, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali and AJ Styles.
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