WWE determined a new number one contender for the United States Championship during the February 28 episode of SmackDown in Toronto. The show featured three qualifying matches leading to a triple threat final to decide who would challenge Shinsuke Nakamura.
In the first qualifying match, Jacob Fatu defeated Andrade. Solo Sikoa had originally been scheduled for this match but offered his spot to Fatu backstage as a gesture of goodwill. Fatu controlled much of the contest before securing the victory.
LA Knight earned his place in the triple threat by defeating Santos Escobar in the second qualifying match. After a competitive bout that continued through a commercial break, Knight executed a BFT counter out of midair to secure the win.
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The third qualifying match saw Carmelo Hayes face Braun Strowman. During this contest, Tama Tonga created a distraction at ringside, followed by Solo Sikoa striking Strowman with a chair. When Strowman recovered and approached with the chair, Hayes fell to the ground and feigned being attacked, causing the referee to disqualify Strowman. This strategy reminiscent of Eddie Guerrero’s tactics qualified Hayes for the final match.
.@RealLAKnight is officially the No. 1 Contender to the #USTitle! 🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ASsp9DVImA
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2025
Prior to the triple threat main event, Shinsuke Nakamura addressed the competition, stating he wanted to face a “worthy warrior” for his championship. The final contest between Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, and Carmelo Hayes concluded when Knight pinned Hayes following a sequence of offensive moves from Fatu.
This victory establishes LA Knight as the next challenger for Nakamura’s United States Championship.
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