WWE crowns a new champion after SmackDown goes off the air

After this week's Friday Night SmackDown went off the air, WWE crowned a new champion. Andrade defeated Ricochet to become the new Speed Champion.

The Speed Championship was created earlier this year, with male superstars from all three WWE brands being allowed to challenge for it. Matches on Speed have a time limit of five minutes and are broadcast on X/Twitter.

During the Speed tapings in April 2024, Ricochet became the inaugural Speed Champion, defeating Johnny Gargano in the final. Following this week's SmackDown, the 35-year-old's reign as the inaugural Speed Champion ended, courtesy of Andrade.

Andrade with the Speed Championship:

During the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble Match, Andrade returned to the Stamford-based company as a surprise entrant. Shortly after, he was placed in a storyline with Dominik Mysterio, as he briefly aligned with the former NXT North American Champion and the Legado Del Fantasma. However, he eventually betrayed Dominik and turned babyface.

At WrestleMania XL, Andrade teamed up with Rey Mysterio to defeat the team of Dominik and Santos Escobar. He is currently involved in a storyline with Legado Del Fantasma with Angel trying to recruit the 34-year-old superstar into the faction.

Meanwhile, Ricochet is involved in a storyline with Ilja Dragunov and Bron Breakker over on Monday Night RAW.

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