Carmelo Hayes seized the WWE United States Championship on the December 26th episode of Friday Night SmackDown, answering Ilja Dragunov’s open challenge and solidifying his place on WWE’s main roster. This pivotal win marks a crucial turning point for Hayes, as fans have long looked forward to seeing him step into a titleholder’s role—something the Carmelo Hayes United States Champion storyline has hinted at ever since his arrival from NXT.
Carmelo Hayes’ Rise: Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing a New Role
Throughout 2025, Carmelo Hayes’s journey on the main roster has been a topic of intense debate among WWE fans and analysts. Unlike several other WWE NXT graduates who quickly entered major storylines or captured gold, Hayes’s path was considerably less straightforward. He found himself stuck in less meaningful feuds, particularly with established stars like The Miz, and suffered a series of setbacks that left many questioning whether WWE would ever give him a significant platform.
Despite these early challenges, Hayes’s moment finally arrived on SmackDown, granting him the chance to set a new tone for his career. His securing of the United States Championship is not just a personal victory but a response to calls for a fresh approach to talent development and booking in WWE. The move places Hayes at the center of attention as SmackDown’s new champion, with his every move set to be closely observed by fans and critics alike.
Learning from the Past: What Makes a Meaningful Championship Run?
There’s an undeniable sense among the WWE Universe that Hayes’s new title reign needs to be handled with more intention and care than previous United States Championship storylines. A recent precedent serves as a cautionary tale: when Shinsuke Nakamura secured the same title in 2024, his reign lasted only 90 days, included just one defense, and quickly faded from memory after losing to LA Knight. The lack of memorable matches and thought-out angles made Nakamura’s reign feel inconsequential.
With Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov revitalizing the United States Championship through exciting open challenges and competitive matches, WWE now faces a choice—stick with the familiar format, or evolve the story with Hayes. While the open challenge approach helped restore respect to the belt, some believe it’s time for innovation. Key events and rivalries need to enhance Hayes’s standing and make the title truly matter once again.
Opportunities and Expectations for Hayes as United States Champion
The blueprint for an impactful and lasting United States Championship run exists within WWE history. Gunther’s lengthy, story-driven era as Intercontinental Champion not only established the title as prestigious but also transformed him into a headline talent. Hayes’s story does not require a reign of similar length, but it does demand high-stakes matches and storylines that offer both the wrestler and the fans meaningful investment. The expectation is clear: fans want a United States Champion they can believe in, not just another placeholder.
Carmelo Hayes now enters 2026 as a champion for the very first time on WWE’s main stage, adding another accomplishment to his impressive tenure as an NXT Champion. The manner in which WWE manages his reign will set the tone for both Hayes’s future and the meaning of the United States Championship itself. Anything short of a well-thought-out, storyline-rich run is certain to draw sharp scrutiny from the WWE audience.
Why Hayes’s Title Reign Matters for WWE’s Future Direction
Hayes’s title win is more than just a personal milestone—it signals a potential shift in WWE’s approach to talent and story arcs, especially for those elevated from NXT. As one of the most promising talents on the main roster, Hayes has already demonstrated, during his NXT days, the kind of charisma and in-ring ability that could one day place him among WWE’s upper echelon. Now, with championship gold around his waist, the real test begins for both Hayes and the organization.
Fans will be watching each of Hayes’s moves, measuring whether WWE will craft a narrative worthy of his skills, and use this opportunity to reshape how championships are perceived on weekly TV and at major events. As the company moves into the next year, Carmelo Hayes’s journey as United States Champion could serve as a blueprint for the next wave of WWE stars—and set a new standard for what a title reign can represent.
