Trick Williams has revealed why he brought the US Championship Open Challenge to an end.
After John Cena won the United States Championship at WrestleMania 31 in 2015, he used his reign to elevate the title and build new stars. He did this through a weekly Open Challenge that allowed anyone to try to defeat him for the gold. Over the following months, he defended the title against the likes of Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Big E, giving them a chance to shine against the face of the company.
Since then, many US Champions have continued to honour the concept, with previous champion Baron Corbin making three defences in less than a month before being defeated by Trick Williams at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
Now that Williams is the champion, however, there will be no more open challenges. Speaking to Paige B on The Tap Out Tea, he explained that he brought the idea to an end because he wants potential challengers to prove themselves.
“Because that’s how life works. You don’t get no handouts in life. Nobody’s just knocking at your door and saying, ‘Hey, I have a championship opportunity for you. Do you want it? Here, come.’ Nah, man, you gotta prove yourself. What do you have to offer me? What do you have to offer Trick Williams and the brand? Are you the best thing for SmackDown? Are people gonna wanna see you versus me?”
Williams believes that giving everyone an opportunity devalues the title, and he wants to raise the standard.
“So, you have to know your worth and be able to raise the standard of everything because, hey, if everybody gets a chance, then what are you saying? I don’t want it to be that title, whatever title Trick Williams wants or has, I want that to be the main title.”
Lil Yachty Helped Trick Williams Win The WWE US Title
Lil Yachty played a pivotal part in Trick Williams’ title victory at Sunday Night’s Main Event. The rapper first secured Williams’ title shot by surviving five minutes in the ring with Baron Corbin, with some help from his entourage and a low blow as the match concluded.
Trick’s title shot came immediately after. During the match, Yachty prevented Corbin from using the title belt as a weapon, giving Williams some breathing room. The end came when Trick escaped End of Days and hit a Trick Shot for the pinfall victory.
