Carmelo Hayes began his reign as WWE United States Champion with a successful first defense against The Miz at a live WWE event held on December 28, 2025. This Carmelo Hayes US Championship defense was the first since capturing the title on SmackDown the previous week, showcasing his position as one of WWE’s rising singles stars.
The victory was significant for Hayes, as it marked his first singles win over The Miz, a superstar with whom he shares a complex history. The contest concluded a dramatic chapter in their rivalry, which transitioned from tag team partners to fierce adversaries.
From Tag Team Allies to Rivals: The Story Behind the Match
Earlier in 2025, Carmelo Hayes and The Miz joined forces as the tag team ‘Melo Don’t Miz,’ defeating notable WWE teams such as the Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG) and Fraxiom. The partnership, however, came to an abrupt end when The Miz betrayed Hayes during the October 3 edition of SmackDown, officially dissolving their alliance and setting the stage for a heated rivalry.
Since then, WWE has pushed Hayes as a breakout singles superstar. His win against Ilja Dragunov last week for the US title signaled a strong show of confidence from the company. The WWE Universe has rallied behind Hayes, reacting positively to his championship victory and rapid ascent within the organization.
Carmelo Hayes Shares Reaction After Title Win
After claiming the United States Championship, Carmelo Hayes addressed fans with an emotional post on social media. He shared a photograph of himself holding the championship belt, adding the words:
“Delayed Not Denied ??.”
— Carmelo Hayes, US Champion
Many are now watching closely to see how long Hayes will hold on to the championship as rivalries around the title continue to heat up.
Johnny Gargano Emerges as Hayes’s Next Challenger
The aftermath of Hayes’s victory brought new challenges, as Johnny Gargano targeted him on SmackDown. During Carmelo Hayes’s first televised interview as champion, Gargano launched a surprise attack, delivering a clear warning about his intentions.
“He knows what he’s done, and now I will take everything from him. Like he did to me,”
he said before Candice LeRae took him away.
— Johnny Gargano, WWE Superstar
This conflict dates back to the long-standing tension between Hayes and the members of DIY, the tag team of Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. While Hayes proudly represents a new era in WWE and NXT, Gargano and Ciampa are viewed as cornerstones of NXT’s legacy, fueling an ongoing clash between new generation stars and established legends.
Ongoing Rivalries and What’s Ahead for Hayes
On the December 19 episode of SmackDown, Carmelo Hayes joined forces with Ilja Dragunov to defeat DIY in a tag team showdown, signaling that his friction with Gargano and Ciampa is far from settled. With Gargano issuing challenges and the WWE Universe invested in every turn, speculation grows over whether Hayes will find support from past allies like Dragunov as he defends his newly won title.
As WWE’s creative plans for the United States Championship continue to unfold, Carmelo Hayes’s reign brings renewed focus to the ongoing rivalry between legacy superstars and the new wave of talent. Fans can anticipate further high-stakes showdowns as Hayes’s story as champion develops in the weeks ahead.
🚨 Carmelo Hayes successfully retains his United States Championship in his first match as champion.
(#WweRochester Via @Weluvucorey)
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) December 29, 2025
