WWE SmackDown: Injury Forces Change to WrestleMania 39 Qualifier Match

March 9, 2023, 5:33pm

This week’s Friday Night SmackDown was supposed to feature a five-way match to determine the No. 1 contender for Gunther’s Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 39. The bout initially featured Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, LA Knight, Karrion Kross and Kofi Kingston, but Kingston suffered a leg injury during the segment that set up the match. Kingston has since taken to social media to confirm the injury and WWE finally announced the change on Thursday — Xavier Woods will replace him in the match.

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“In all my time on the main roster, I have never once had a match where a singles title was on the line. I’ve beaten men while they held World and Universal championships. I even won King of the Ring. Still no shot. Tomorrow I do everything I can to get one,” Woods tweeted in response to the news.

The New Day previously held the Intercontinental title when Big E won it back in December 2020, though the trio was separated by the brand split at the time. And despite Woods’ longevity in the company, he has never challenged for the title in a one-on-one match. Backstage reports have indicated “The Ring General” will face Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a triple threat, so the odds of Woods winning on Friday are slim. Stay tuned for full coverage of the episode!

Get ready for the Fatal 5-Way Intercontinental Championship Qualifying Match tomorrow night on #SmackDown!@AustinCreedWins is ready to fill in for New Day teammate @TrueKofi with a huge opportunity! Will things be looking up up or down down for the 2021 #KingoftheRing winner? pic.twitter.com/BhLqWmxZ6S
— WWE (@WWE) March 9, 2023