Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown saw a new No. 1 Contender for Austin Theory’s United States Championship crowned, as WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio took on his protégé, Santos Escobar, in the finals of the United States Championship Invitational Challenge.
Escobar emerged victorious following a dive on Mysterio to the outside that saw Rey’s head smashed into the ramp. Medical personnel soon made their way to the ring to check on Rey, before the referee called off the match per the doctors’ orders.
As Santos Escobar was announced as the winner, he showed concern for Rey afterwards, and the two men shared an embrace.
Escobar will challenge Austin Theory for the United States Championship on the August 11th episode of SmackDown. Meanwhile, the legitimacy and extent of Rey Mysterio’s injury remains unknown for the time being.
You can check out some highlights from the match below:
Michael Cole with the zinger of the year? 😂@_Theory1 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/QXxrMtEL5l
— WWE (@WWE) July 29, 2023
Prayers up for @ReyMysterio 🙏 pic.twitter.com/1yobuNhgLG
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) July 29, 2023
