Ilja Dragunov will hold an open challenge tonight for his newly won championship.
WWE posted a video of the United States Champion stating he would continue to hold open challenges after defeating Sami Zayn on last week’s episode of SmackDown.
“It is my duty to keep the legacy of the open challenges alive.”
New United States Champion @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR is looking for a fight, who will step up TONIGHT on #SmackDown?
? 8e/7c on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/0E9BOFKJX7
— WWE (@WWE) October 24, 2025
Dragunov returned from a torn ACL, which removed the performer from action for thirteen months, and won the title in his first match back.
Friday Night SmackDown airs from the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, with the following advertised for the show:
- United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov © vs. TBA
- Non-Title Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James
- Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre to appear
Rewind-A-SmackDown with Wai Ting & Neal Flanagan will air tonight at 10:05 p.m. ET on the POST Wrestling Café
