Ilja Dragunov vs. Johnny Gargano

[7.0] "This was another solid entry in Ilja Dragunov's US Title Open Challenge, a good match that, while not a total classic, effectively told a great story. The dynamic was interesting from the start, with Ciampa coming down to answer the call only for Dragunov to pivot and make Johnny Gargano the challenger instead. This allowed for some excellent heel work from Gargano and Candice LeRae, which really grounded the match and gave the fans a clear reason to rally behind the champion."

[6.0] "match was given only 10 minutes, I was expecting more between these two, another solid defense for ilja."

[7.0] "This was my least favourite of the 4 matches Ilya has had since being back from injury. So far in the four matches we have had 2/4 opponent's wives interfere (Candice and Zelina), we had Solo, Priest and Ciampa also get involved either during or after the matches too, it's just the same old rinse and repeat storyline from WWE. Also, TWO ad breaks during EVERY Championship match Ilya has had is just pure disrespectful. Gargano barely got anything in during this match, Ilya wiped the floor. The finish was great, a strong deadweight superplex off the top rope followed by the flying KO punch was lovely."

[4.0] "My least favorite of the Dragunov return matches but it has zero to do with him. Gargano is just the worst parts of wrestling to me and it was on full display here. Props to Ilja's effort and throwing some big moves as usual but Gargano brought nothing to the table."

[8.0] "MY BOY IS BACK AND SWINGING! Ilia's return got me watching smackdown again, and it's the best thing the show has had to offer in forever. Step aside Sami let a real machine show you how to make midcarders look like murderers. Johnny looked incredible in this match, and while there wasn't much heat and the crowd wasn't fully invested it still had me fully into it. I loved this match, and given how the rest of the show would go, thank god for these two putting on a ten minute barn burner to start their night."

[8.0] "Ilja & his open challenges are really what's saving smackdown, I do wish this match went longer because I know it would've went to another level but overall this was still good"

[7.0] "The match ended just as the crowd was starting to get into it. The first couple of minutes were a bit too slow-paced compared to what we've seen so far in the U.S open challenges, making it feel more like a Smackdown nothing match than something truly exciting. I hope whatever they're planning with Fraxiom and DIY will at least get the stage to cook."

[3.0] "I think this match was very bad in terms of structure. It's a simple three act, but Dragunov hits some nasty suplexes right away in the shine. The match has no option but to descalate, sinked by the heat segment and have a comeback that feels less impactful than the shine. Between the control from Gargano being uninspired and Ilja's selling being so weird and over the top, it took me out of it. They get very quickly to the bombs, but it doesn't even reach the crispness of the shine, so what's even the point."

[6.0] "Maybe my expectations were too high, but I've seen Johnny Gargano do some of the craziest things I've ever witnessed in a WWE ring. This felt relatively meh in comparison, but maybe that's a product of my expectations being through the roof. Still though, they should've had more time to cook. And at least one Gargano Escape sequence."

[7.0] "Another good match for the US championship, but this time it wasn't so great like a week ago. I'm glad that we had not only open challenges, but even a storyline, what is kind of weird."

[7.0] "Ilja is the best part of SmackDown these past few weeks. From the moment he entered, a potential face-off was teased. Ciampa was originally supposed to come out, but it ended up being Gargano. It's worth noting that Ciampa didn't even watch his friend's match. Will the dynamic of this team change? Gargano vs. Dragunov was a dream match."

[7.0] "Yay some good wrestling on a wrestling show! Dragonov is great as is Gargano and here they put on a fun solid and enjoyable match."

[7.0] "Another good match in Dragunov's open challenge for the US title. Ciampa came down to answer, but Dragunov instead made Gargano the challenger. Dragunov was fairly dominant until Candice interfered and Gargano took advantage to get a near fall. Dragunov hits a superplex followed up by an H-Bomb for the win. This went as long as it needed to while giving Dragunov another defense as the story with Ciampa builds. 7/10"

[6.0] "Exactly what it needed to be. For the first time since ever Johnny Gargano is in the place he needs to be. He's always been a blind spot for Triple H, getting way too much time, focus and too big a push. Now he's a warmup match for Ilja which is great because Gargano can go in the ring but should be more of a stepping stone for a guy like Ilja. This was more a warmup for whatever the story is going to be with Ciampa and there's nothing wrong with that."

[6.0] "Ilya open challenge: Ilya and Ciampa have an in ring promo. Gargano answers the challenge. Match started in the ad break. This was a solid match. Decent pacing, good ring work, decent structure. Just a bit short. 6.5/10"

[3.0] "Bro, I'm not gonna lie, this was a massive freaking letdown. The last few Ilja Dragunov matches have gotten great times, but this only getting 10 minutes is ridiculous. This should've gotten 17 minutes or something better. Gargano looked like a bitch half the time, which is something that shouldn't be happening. Johnny Gargano and Ilja Dragunov are my favorite wrestlers of all time and seeing them wrestle was cool, but this match didn't live up to my expectations and was extremely underwhelming. I wanted to like this, I really did, but I couldn't get behind it."

[7.0] "This was a good match, not great, but good. The result was never really in question, since they are building up to somethingelse, but it was still two great wrestlers going against eacher other. I liked the story, the heel work by Gargano and Candice."

[7.0] "My least favorite match from Ilja's Open Challenge thus far, but still a nice TV match. Solid action with Candice ringside adding some good drama. I appreciate the fact they didn't overdo it with tons of kickouts and all, and I like the straightforward finish. ***1/2"

[7.0] "Another incredible match for Dragunov since his return nearly a month ago. Ciampa initially came out and wanted the match but Dragunov denied and gave it to Gargano which to me Dragunov as a face fighting champion who does open challenges weekly he shouldn't really be denying anyone to be honest. Possibly this is a super weird way for them to start working toward a Ciampa and Dragunov survivor series match but I sure hope not. It's a great match especially the final few mins. (***1/2)"

[8.0] "This was easily the Match of the Night. Ilja Dragunov trolled Tommaso Ciampa again and declined his chances of being the one answering the Open Challenge as Ilja Dragunov chose Johnny Gargano, and it irated Tommaso Ciampa as he walked off and did not support his tag partner, Johnny Gargano. But this was an entertaining match, and these Ilja Dragunov Matches are the saving grace for every SmackDown Episode, as these matches must be must-watch because it's going to be enertaining, and hard-hitting and we saw some great in-ring action as Johnny Gargano trioed everything he can to win but it wasn't enough as Ilja Dragunov retained and is still the WWE United States Champion."