As was seen at theĀ Royal RumbleĀ 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 toĀ The Wrestling Observer Newsletter,Ā NXTĀ 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 theĀ Royal RumbleĀ pre-show because he is currently one of the top stars ofĀ NXT. Cole was used as a surprise entrant in the Men's Royal Rumble Match instead.