Kofi Kingston Booked In a Big Gauntlet Match for Next Week’s WWE SmackDown

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown saw Kofi Kingston move one step closer to challenging WWE Champion Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35.

As announced by Vince McMahon, Kofi must win a Gauntlet Match on next Tuesday’s SmackDown episode from Indianapolis. He will go up against Randy Orton, WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe, The Bar’s Cesaro and Sheamus, and Rowan.

If Kofi can conquer the Gauntlet next Tuesday, he will be named the new #1 contender to the WWE Title for the match against Bryan at the biggest show of the year.

Below are photos and videos from tonight’s show-closing SmackDown segment with Vince and The New Day:

Does opportunity knock for @TrueKofi?@VinceMcMahon is NEXT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/HgyuLV02cu

— WWE (@WWE) March 13, 2019

"I gave @TrueKofi the opportunity to compete, and he failed." – @VinceMcMahon on the events of #WWEFastlane… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/NiGLMZJbcU

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 13, 2019

These three aren't interested in any "teachable" moments.#SDLive @TrueKofi @WWEBigE @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/oweLreXrA2

— WWE (@WWE) March 13, 2019

#TheNewDay is speaking loud and clear…

They DESERVE, because they EARN! #SDLive @WWEBigE @TrueKofi @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/1gZLBIriqJ

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 13, 2019

"He's a good B+ player."

Did @WWEDanielBryan REALLY say that to @VinceMcMahon about @TrueKofi?! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/n0ACzlWetW

— WWE (@WWE) March 13, 2019

He's not looking to be handed ANYTHING.@TrueKofi wants to do WHATEVER he has to do to earn his way to #WrestleMania! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/YzvpDJId1y

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 13, 2019

NEXT WEEK, @TrueKofi will have to defeat…

– @RandyOrton
– @SamoaJoe
– @WWECesaro
– @WWESheamus
– @ERICKROWAN

in a #GauntletMatch, and he'll go to #WrestleMania to face @WWEDanielBryan! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ND0FSQYrl6

— WWE (@WWE) March 13, 2019

You better BELIEVE @TrueKofi is up for the #GauntletMatch CHALLENGE next week on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/zeQ5HnpHMv

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 13, 2019

If @TrueKofi wants to challenge @WWEDanielBryan for the #WWETitle at #WrestleMania, he has to face @RandyOrton… and @SamoaJoe… and @WWESheamus… and @WWECesaro… and @ERICKROWAN NEXT WEEK on #SDLive! @WWEBigE @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/7NsbLvAlJC

— WWE (@WWE) March 13, 2019