Carmelo Hayes Wins WWE United States Championship – Carmelo Hayes captured the WWE United States Championship on the December 26 episode of WWE SmackDown, defeating Ilja Dragunov after answering an open challenge. The title change marked Hayes’ first reign with the United States Championship and brought an end to Dragunov’s hard-hitting run as champion.
The match opened at a fast and physical pace, with both men trading forearms and chops as soon as the bell rang. Dragunov quickly asserted himself with repeated chops and sent Hayes into the turnbuckles, maintaining control through stiff strikes and a pair of German suplexes while refusing to release his grip. Hayes was forced to fight out with elbows, but Dragunov continued to pressure him with suplex variations and corner offense.
Dragunov remained aggressive heading into the first commercial break, dropping Hayes with a running boot that sent him to the floor. After the break, the champion continued targeting Hayes with chops and kicks, though Hayes began to mount a comeback with forearms, a springboard clothesline, and a La Mistica for a near fall. Dragunov responded with a running knee and later a Konstantin Special, keeping the match evenly balanced.
As the bout progressed, both competitors showed signs of exhaustion while continuing to trade heavy shots. Dragunov survived a near fall after a back senton, then pulled down his knee pad to deliver repeated kicks. Hayes countered several signature attempts, including blocking the H-Bomb and avoiding multiple finishing sequences.
The closing stretch saw Dragunov deliver a chokeslam and a brutal Death Valley Driver on the apron, nearly retaining the title. However, Hayes capitalized on a missed Coast to Coast attempt, connecting with First 48 before climbing to the top rope and hitting Nothin’ But Net to secure the three count and the championship.
Following the match, Dragunov showed respect by personally strapping the United States Championship around Hayes’ waist. Dragunov’s reign lasted 63 days from the time the episode was taped and included seven successful defenses. He issued weekly open challenges and defeated opponents such as Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Axiom, JD McDonagh, and Aleister Black.
Carmelo Hayes Wins WWE United States Championship
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