Top NXT Star Nearly Challenged Bobby Roode for U.S. Title at Royal Rumble

As was seen at the Royal Rumble pre-show, Bobby Roode issued a U.S. Championship Open Challenge which was answered by Mojo Rawley. Roode retained the title against Rawley.

There were reports that former U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler was originally set the answer the challenge, but the decision was made to put Ziggler in the Royal Rumble Match instead.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, NXT Superstar Adam Cole was penciled in at one point to accept the challenge, but WWE officials decided that they didn't want Cole to lose a match like that at the Royal Rumble pre-show because he is currently one of the top stars of NXT. Cole was used as a surprise entrant in the Men's Royal Rumble Match instead.