Originally published at Friday Night SmackDown notes: Drew McIntyre earns title shot, Max Dupri returns
Drew McIntyre will be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle in September.
On Friday Night SmackDown, McIntyre pinned Sheamus in the ‘Good Old-Fashioned Donnybrook Fight’ over twenty-five minutes to determine the challenger for the title in Cardiff, Wales.
McIntyre will face whoever comes out of SummerSlam holding the championship with Roman Reigns defending the title against Brock Lesnar in a ‘Last Man Standing’ match with the tease of Theory cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase against the winner.
SmackDown also saw the return of Max Dupri to the Maximum Male Models group, alongside Maxxine Dupri, ma.cé, and mån.sôör.
Max Dupri had been removed from the group last week, which was reportedly a decision by Vince McMahon prior to his removal from his role overseeing the creative direction of the company.
A previously announced match between Lacey Evans and Aliyah did not take place with the explanation that Evans was not medically cleared to compete. Shotzi replaced Evans and defeated Aliyah after hitting Never Wake Up.
After the Viking Raiders defeated the New Day, the Viking Raiders shattered the ankle of Xavier Woods by wrapping a chair around the ankle and striking the chair with their shields.
In the closing segment, Brock Lesnar confronted Paul Heyman and was attacked from behind by Theory. Lesnar fought off Theory using his briefcase and hitting several German suplexes. Theory was hit with a Claymore by Drew McIntyre on the floor with McIntyre staring at Lesnar to end the show.
RESULTS:
*Good Old-Fashioned Donnybrook Fight: Drew McIntyre over Sheamus in 25:33
*Shotzi over Aliyah in 3:18
*Liv Morgan & Ronda Rousey over Natalya & Sonya Deville in 11:42
*Viking Raiders over Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods