Major WWE title match officially set for SmackDown

A major title will be on the line during tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown. This week's edition of the blue brand will air live from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ilja Dragunov missed over a year of action due to injury but made his return earlier this month on WWE SmackDown to answer Sami Zayn's Open Challenge for the United States Championship. The Mad Dragon picked up the victory to capture the title and has been continuing the tradition of Open Challenges for the United States Championship on SmackDown.

Ahead of tonight's show. Dragunov confirmed that he would be putting his title on the line and wondered who was going to accept his challenge.

"This title is a legacy and the open challenge is my duty. Who wants to step up tonight?" he wrote.

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Dragunov defeated Aleister Black last week on SmackDown to retain the United States Championship.

Vince Russo reacts to a major WWE faction attacking Ilja Dragunov

Wrestling legend Vince Russo recently commented on Solo Sikoa's MFT faction attacking Ilja Dragunov and Sami Zayn following their United States Championship match on the October 17 edition of SmackDown.

Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling's BroDown show, Russo criticized WWE's booking of the faction. The group had a staredown with The Wyatt Sicks following their attack on Ilja Dragunov and Sami Zayn, but decided to retreat. Russo wondered why Sikoa's group backed down when they had the numbers advantage.

"They bring the Samoans back, think about this for a second. They bring the clown Samoans back. They're wearing clown makeup. The one guy is going, 'Hey, hey, hey, hey!' Okay, alright. That's cool. So, we've got bada*s Samoans lined up. On the other side are three guys and a girl. So you've got five Samoans and three guys and a girl. And who's backing down? It's so f-ing ridiculous," Russo said.

Ilja Dragunov had never won a title on WWE's main roster before capturing the United States Championship. It will be fascinating to see which star answers his Open Challenge later tonight on SmackDown.

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Edited by Robert Lentini