A defiant Sami Zayn pleaded his case to WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, regarding why he isn’t on the show to continue his U.S. Open Challenge. Aldis stated that he respects Zayn and is a big advocate of the U.S. Open Challenge. However, Aldis’ pegged opponent for Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, who deserves a proper rematch after the attack of MFT, was still in Japan performing on the overseas WWE tour.
Zayn would make an impassioned speech, saying that he’s doing this for the WWE Universe, proceeding to come out in the SAP Center in San Jose, California, anyway. Zayn would await his opponent, only for The Miz to come out to answer it. Before Miz could speak any further, Carmelo Hayes would batter him, gaining revenge for what The Miz did, which is precisely the same thing to him, a couple of weeks ago, leading to Hayes losing his U.S. Title opportunity.
Fortunately for Zayn, the “Czar,” the “Mad Dragon” himself, Ilja Dragunov, would take him up on the challenge. After a year away, Ilja Dragunov is back, recovered, and better than ever from a right knee injury. The former NXT U.K. Champion look absolutely amazing, and he was clearly out for gold on SmackDown.
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