The SmackDown World Cup continued on the November 25 episode of WWE SmackDown, and the finals are set for the following week.
On Friday night, Butch battled Santos Escobar in one semifinal match. The previous week, Butch beat Sami Zayn to advance to the semifinals. Previously, Escobar defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to punch his ticket to the next round. On Friday, Butch and Escobar battled it out, while both Legado del Fantasma and the Brawling Brutes were at ringside.
Butch took control by diving onto Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wild at ringside. Backstage, The Bloodline brawled with Drew McIntyre and and Kevin Owens, prompting Ridge Holland and Sheamus to run to the back and join the fight. Wild and Del Toro then interfered, and Escobar pinned Butch with the Phantom Driver to clinch the win.
Just like that @EscobarWWE is in the #SmackDownWorldCup finals.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6PV6CfRAVm
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) November 26, 2022
Later in the show, Ricochet took on Braun Strowman in the other semifinal. Strowman defeated Jinder Mahal to earn his spot in the bout, while Ricochet beat Mustafa Ali in a tournament match last week. Strowman overpowered Ricochet, but the high-flying star used his speed advantage to keep the big man on his toes. Gunther and Imperium came to ringside to distract Strowman, and Ricochet capitalized by pinning Strowman. As a result, he will advance to the finals, where he will face Escobar.
After the bout, Ricochet tried to save Strowman from an attack by Imperium. The trio gained the upper hand, but Strowman overwhelmed them and cleared the ring.
Ricochet just pinned @Adamscherr99 to advance to the #SmackDownWorldCup finals!@KingRicochet | #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/aT8kvmMNdB
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) November 26, 2022
The winner of the SmackDown World Cup will earn a shot at the WWE Intercontinental Championship, which is currently held by Gunther.
RELATED: WWE SmackDown Results (11/25/22)
