Damian Priest’s Flight Delay Forces Missed SmackDown AppearanceDamian Priest’s Flight Delay Forces Missed SmackDown Appearance WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest was unable to appear on Friday night’s SmackDown at Madison Square Garden due to a delayed flight. Priest was scheduled to participate in a dark match main event against Jey Uso following the broadcast. However, he informed fans through social media that he was experiencing flight problems and “doing [his] best to make it.” As his flight remained grounded, Priest expressed his disappointment and apologized to his supporters: “Unfortunately the honor of main eventing The Garden tonight is not possible. Still not taken off. Stuck in a plane on a runway. Very disappointed and apologies to my people.” The dark match main event was subsequently altered to a Street Fight between Uso and Finn Balor, with Uso emerging victorious. Additional dark matches included a win for former WWE World Tag Team Champions The Miz and R-Truth over The Pretty Deadly. Priest is set to defend his World Heavyweight Title against Seth Rollins at the Money in the Bank Premium Live Event on July 6. The stipulation of the match was raised on this week’s Raw, with Priest’s membership in Judgment Day on the line. If he loses, he must leave the faction.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest missed last night’s SmackDown due to a delayed flight.
Last night’s Smackdown emanated from the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, due to travel issues, he was forced to miss his scheduled appearance. Despite being part of the Raw roster, ‘The Archer of Infamy’ was set to put his title on the line against Jey Uso in a dark match following SmackDown.
However, he informed his fans that there were some flight issues and that he was “doing my best to make it.” Damian Priest was unable to reach the venue in time for the show as his flight was delayed. Before the show, he revealed on his X account that his flight had not taken off and was stuck on the runway. He apologized to his fans as he wrote:
“Unfortunately the honor of main eventing The Garden tonight is not possible. Still not gone. Stuck in a plane on a runway. Very disappointed and apologies to my people. This one hurts. Enjoy the show! #SmackDown I’m sure it will be amazing”
I’ll do my best to make it. Airplane problems make it very difficult. pic.twitter.com/EG2qVffGl0
— Damian Priester (@ArcherOfInfamy) June 28, 2024
Unfortunately the honor of main eventing The Garden tonight is not possible. Still not taken off. Stuck in a plane on a runway. Very disappointed and apologies to my people. This one hurts. Enjoy the show! #SmackDown I’m sure it will be amazing https://t.co/YpVemY2wsZ
— Damian Priester (@ArcherOfInfamy) June 28, 2024
The dark match main event was then turned into a Street Fight between Jey Uso and Finn Balor. The first emerged victorious against The Judgment Day member. There was another dark match where former WWE World Tag Team Champions The Miz & R-Truth defeated The Pretty Deadly.
Damian Priest will put his World Heavyweight Title on the line against Seth Rollins at the Money In The Bank Premium Live Event on Saturday, July 6. The winner of the match will defend the belt against Gunther at SummerSlam in August.
On this week’s Raw, Priest and Rollins raised the stakes for their match. The pair agreed to a stipulation stating that if Priest remains, Rollins will not be allowed to challenge for the title as long as Priest is the champion. However, if Priest loses, he will have to say goodbye to Judgment Day.
