U.S. Title Tournament brackets revealed including New Day member, Aiden English, Rawley (w/Keller’s Analysis)

WWE.com revealed the actual brackets for the eight-person U.S. Title tournament. Bobby Roode beat Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal beat Tye Dillinger in the first two matches on Smackdown this week. The other two matches are Zack Ryder vs. Mojo Rawley and Aiden English vs. Xavier Woods.

It turns out Tuesday’s matches are in opposite brackets, so Roode will face the winner of Mojo vs. Ryder and then Mahal will face the winner of English vs. Woods.

Keller’s Analysis: What a strange tournament, and what a sloppy roll-out of the tournament. WWE didn’t explain why, of all people, Ryder is in a tournament when he hasn’t won a singles match is seven years, give or take. And there’s no explanation for Xavier Woods breaking away from New Day to try to get a singles title, although that could be addressed on Tuesday’s Smackdown. Even Aiden English is a strange pick, as he’s been in tag matches with Rusev and hardly “on the march” to title contention. The tournament bracket shows the Royal Rumble logo above it, so it seems next week will feature the final two first round matches, and then the next week or two leading into the Rumble will feature the semi-finals, setting up the finals as an undercard match at the Rumble.

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