Major main roster call up, The Bloodline to collect a new title? - 4 WWE stars who should challenge LA Knight following SmackDown
WWE Friday Night SmackDown has been undergoing major changes. The blue brand has been on the FOX Network for the past five years, but as of last week, the show is now officially on the USA Network each week and will remain so for many years to come.
With the change, Triple H and World Wrestling Entertainment are stacking up the shows to get all eyes on the blue brand. Last week featured a Steel Cage Match with the world title on the line. This upcoming Friday Night SmackDown will feature another title match.
LA Knight is set to defend the United States Championship against Andrade. While the match will surely be a good one, most fans believe that The Megastar will retain. That's unconfirmed, of course, but it is the most likely option.
Supposing that Knight does manage to defeat Andrade, he will need a new challenger. This article will take a look at a handful of performers who could step up and challenge The Megastar if he defeats Andrade this Friday.
Below are four WWE stars who should challenge LA Knight following SmackDown.
#4. Carmelo Hayes wants the United States Championship
Carmelo Hayes is one of the biggest success stories from NXT. He managed to hold both the NXT Championship and the North American Title, effectively serving as the face of the brand before joining WWE's main roster full-time this year.
The A-Champion was nearly the number-one contender for the WWE United States Championship. He and Andrade clashed for the right to earn the shot, but Melo was put down by The Message off of the ropes.
Supposing Andrade fails to defeat LA Knight, Melo may get his chance to step up and take the belt. It would be sweet revenge for the former NXT Champion to succeed where Andrade potentially fails. Plus, it could create a round two in their rivalry.
#3. Ethan Page could move to the main roster
Ethan Page is a world-traveled superstar with experience in several of the bigger pro wrestling companies, such as Ring of Honor, All Elite Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, and the now-defunct EVOLVE Wrestling. He signed with WWE earlier this year.
All Ego has a major match scheduled in less than two weeks. He will put up his prized NXT Championship on the line against Trick Williams, with WWE Monday Night RAW's CM Punk serving as the special guest referee.
There is a very real chance that Page will lose the NXT Championship to Trick Williams when they clash on October 1. If that happens, Page might end up joining the main roster, where he could challenge LA Knight for the United States title. This would be a big move, but one that would serve his career greatly.
#2. Baron Corbin is a former WWE United States Champion
Baron Corbin has had mixed success in WWE. While on NXT, he held the coveted NXT Tag Team Titles alongside Bron Breakker. He's also a former United States Champion and once won the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Currently, Corbin is a member of the WWE SmackDown brand after being called back from NXT in the 2024 Draft. Now, as a babyface, Baron has found himself aligned with Apollo Crews, and the two have more chemistry than most fans would have ever expected.
Just because he's allied with Apollo doesn't inherently mean that Corbin can't chase after singles gold, however. The powerful and surprisingly agile Baron could challenge LA Knight for the gold and potentially even defeat Knight, thanks to his size and power advantage.
#1. Jacob Fatu could try to bring more gold to The Bloodline
The Bloodline has been a dominant force in WWE for quite some time, but the current version of the group may be the most intense. Solo Sikoa leads this version of the stable, with Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu making up the rest of the stable.
Of all of the members in The Bloodline currently, Jacob Fatu is by far the most destructive. The Samoan Werewolf joined several months ago and has already won the group the WWE Tag Team Titles, although he was forced to give his belt up to Tonga Loa.
With Solo pursuing Cody's world title and the duo of Tama and Tonga already holding tag team gold, it only makes sense for The Samoan Werewolf to try to win the United States Title. Can LA Knight handle the onslaught from one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the world today, or will The Bloodline get even more gold? Fans might find out if Jacob steps up to The Megastar.