This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown was taped last week in Grand Rapids, MI and the show featured some exciting moments. Ever since he won the title Ilja Dragunov has been taking on all comers with his United States Open Challenge, but his reign came to an end during this week’s episode of SmackDown.
It was Carmelo Hayes who answered Dragunov’s challenge and ultimately Hayes defeated Dragunov to become the WWE United States Champion for the first time in his career. Hayes ended up picking up the win when he connected with Nothing But Net. After the match Dragunov showed respect to Hayes when he put the title around his waist then held his arm up.
HE DID IT!!!! @Carmelo_WWE beat @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR for the United States Championship!! 👏 pic.twitter.com/n56mC6xVzE
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2025
Nothing but respect between these two 🤝@Carmelo_WWE @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR pic.twitter.com/dY8PPHJ5Hz
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2025
The year isn’t over until the bell rings… Congratulations @Carmelo_WWE on becoming the NEW United States Champion.
Big things on the horizon…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/lBTfMeQS2y
— Triple H (@TripleH) December 27, 2025
Stay tuned for more updates on Carmelo Hayes and the WWE United States Championship as they become available.