On Friday night WWE held a double taping in Grand Rapids, MI. Next week’s episode of Raw, and next week’s episode of SmackDown were both filmed and the shows featured some big moments.
During the Friday Night SmackDown tapings Carmelo Hayes challenged Ilja Dargunov for the WWE United States Championship, and Hayes picked up the win to become the new United States Champion.
Carmelo Hayes United States Champions #Smackdown pic.twitter.com/vRtA7egRku
— Ariel Lizardo 👻 (@ArielLizardo) December 20, 2025
The New United States Champions Carmelo Hayes #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/tAoOFRqu5z
— Ariel Lizardo 👻 (@ArielLizardo) December 20, 2025
Carmelo Hayes is the new United States Champion 🔥🔥🔥 Melo deserves this fr 💯 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EoFTh4Lijw
— MANIACI (@mkemaniaci) December 20, 2025
IM SCREAMING. CARMELO HAYES WALKING INTO 2026 UNITED STATES CHAMPION 🥹 pic.twitter.com/loaiQKg3Ux
— Seth Joseph (@SethJoseph95) December 20, 2025
It seems that next week’s episode of SmackDown will be one to watch as a popular star also made his in-ring debut for the blue brand during the tapings and you can get more on that here.