Carmelo Hayes, the newly crowned Carmelo Hayes United States Champion, has confirmed that he intends to keep the popular open challenge format for his title moving forward. This announcement came during his first appearance as champion on WWE SmackDown, fueling anticipation among fans and competitors alike.
Hayes Meets Rivals and Addresses the Future
On Friday’s WWE SmackDown episode, Carmelo Hayes appeared backstage following his championship win, where he encountered several familiar faces. Among them was Ilja Dragunov, the former United States Champion whom Hayes recently defeated for the belt. Their brief conversation turned to the future of the championship, with both athletes hinting that their rivalry might not be over just yet. Hayes made it clear that he plans to uphold the United States Open Challenge, inviting Dragunov to compete again when ready.
Hayes also had an exchange with The Miz on the same night, expressing unexpected gratitude for the veteran wrestler’s previous decision to give him space after his title win. This interaction highlighted the respect Hayes is building backstage as the new titleholder.
First Title Defense: Hayes vs. Gargano
Later that evening, Carmelo Hayes put his championship on the line against Johnny Gargano, marking his inaugural title defense. In an intense match, Hayes successfully retained his title, defeating Gargano with his signature finishing move, the Nothing but Net. The victory further established Hayes as a formidable competitor willing to defend his championship frequently.
“NOTHING BUT NET ?@Carmelo_WWE retains the United States Championship! pic.twitter.com/5uItQ8h9XZ”— WWE (@WWE)
What the Continuation Means for WWE
The confirmation that the United States Open Challenge will persist under Hayes’ reign excites both fans and wrestlers eager for high-stakes matchups. Hayes’ willingness to face all challengers signals a continued period of unpredictability and opportunity within the division. Key figures such as Johnny Gargano and Ilja Dragunov remain closely linked to Hayes’ journey as champion, while other superstars may soon step forward to take a shot at the title. As Carmelo Hayes United States Champion begins this next chapter, WWE fans can look forward to more thrilling title defenses and potential rivalries reigniting on SmackDown.
We can't wait until @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR and @Carmelo_WWE run it back for the United States Championship! 😤 pic.twitter.com/31n6yBmVp8
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
NOTHING BUT NET 🫰@Carmelo_WWE retains the United States Championship! pic.twitter.com/5uItQ8h9XZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
