Ongoing storylines around Wrestlemania 39 proceeded during this week’s WWE Smackdown which took place at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh., Pennsylvania. One of the marquee matches of the evening was set up to determine the new challenger for the Intercontinental Championship.
In the opening contest of Smackdown, the Fatal-5-Way Intercontinental Championship Qualifier Match took place with the lineup: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) vs. LA Knight vs. Xavier Woods with the stipulation that the winner will get to face the Intercontinental Champion Gunther at Wrestlemania 39.
Rey Mysterio Announced As First WWE Hall Of Fame 2023 Inductee
However, the match ended without any conclusion on Smackdown. The finishing sequence of the match saw Drew McIntyre pinning Xavier Woods and Sheamus pinning LA Knight at the same time. Afterward, Sheamus and McIntyre both claimed the win and fans wanted to see a Triple Threat at Wrestlemania 39 featuring Gunther, Sheamus, and McIntyre but the referee didn’t make any decision.
WWE Smackdown Superstar Excited About Backlash 2023 Heading Into Her Homecountry
Later in a backstage segment with Gunther, WWE Official Adam Pearce announced Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus for next week’s SmackDown, with the winner getting the much-anticipated title shot at WrestleMania 39.
In recent weeks, Sheamus seemed desperate to capture the IC title, something since this is the only title that he didn’t hold in his lengthy career. Earlier to this, he did have a “Match of the Year” candidate at Clash at the Castle with Gunther for the IC title. Next week, he goes another chance to go at it with The Ring General on the biggest stage of Wrestlemania 39.
WWE Wrestlemania 39 PLE Match Card
WWE Wrestlemania 39 / Wrestlemania Hollywood Premium Live Event takes place Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The current match card for the show is given below,
– Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
– United States Championship Match: Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena
– Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
– Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
– SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
– Raw Women’s Championship Match: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
– Trish Stratus and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Lita & Becky Lynch vs. DAMAGE CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)
– The Miz will be the Host of WrestleMania 39. Becky G and Jimmie Allen will perform America The Beautiful on Night 1 and Night 2, respectively.
