Grand Rapids, Michigan—December 26, 2025: In a moment that WWE fans have been eagerly anticipating, Carmelo Hayes has finally reached a major milestone in his main roster career by defeating Ilja Dragunov to become the new WWE United States Champion on Friday Night SmackDown.
A High-Stakes Main Event
The United States Championship match served as the climax of the final SmackDown episode of 2025, taped at the Van Andel Arena and broadcast on the USA Network. Dragunov had been a dominant champion since winning the title in October, defending it through his signature open challenge format. During his reign, he overcame tough competition from a range of top stars, including Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Axiom, JD McDonagh, and Aleister Black.
The championship match itself was a fast-paced, hard-hitting encounter. After intense back-and-forth action, Hayes seized his opportunity when Dragunov launched off the top rope—only to be met with Hayes’ signature First 48 strike. He then followed up with his finishing move, Nothing But Net, securing the pinfall and the championship.
Milestone Victory for Hayes
This victory marks Hayes’ first championship win on WWE’s main roster and his first United States Title reign. Though he had established himself as a rising star in WWE—including a standout run in NXT, where he claimed the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship—meaningful success on SmackDown had eluded him until now.
Hayes’ journey to championship gold has been one of persistence and growth. Drafted to SmackDown in April 2024, he has had several high-profile matches and moments, including participating in marquee bouts and standing out in multi-star lineups. His win over Dragunov is widely seen as a long-overdue spotlight moment that sets the stage for bigger opportunities.
Respect and Rivals
After the match, Dragunov displayed sportsmanship by placing the title belt around Hayes’s waist—a symbolic gesture emphasizing respect between two fierce competitors. However, the celebration for Hayes was brief. Backstage, Johnny Gargano made his presence felt, confronting the new champion and signaling his intentions to challenge for the United States Title—setting up fresh rivalries heading into 2026.
What’s Next for the United States Champion
Following his title win, Hayes wasted no time asserting himself as a fighting champion. He announced that he plans to defend the United States Championship as soon as the following night at WWE’s non-televised Holiday Tour event in Pittsburgh—opening the door to new challengers and unpredictable matchups early in his reign.
Hayes’ ascent underscores WWE’s continued investment in elevating the next generation of stars. With the blue brand SmackDown expanding to three hours in the new year, Hayes is expected to be a central figure in the mid-card scene, potentially bridging the gap toward even bigger opportunities in the main event picture.
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