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Carmelo Hayes Escapes With WWE Title Following A Brutal Title Clash On SmackDown

By Faiz Ahmed • Published Mar 20, 2026 22:19 EDT
Carmelo Hayes WWE
US Champion Carmelo Hayes. (Source: WWE.com)

Carmelo Hayes has been on an excellent run as the WWE United States Champion since winning the belt from Ilja Dragunov on the previous year’s final episode of SmackDown.

During his time as champion, he’s had some incredible matches during his US Title Open Challenges, facing the likes of Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura, and most recently, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

He had promised another title shot to Ilja Dragunov after their last match saw Hayes retain after The Miz cost Dragunov behind the champion’s back, and that match took place on tonight’s episode.

Carmelo Hayes retains his WWE United States Title tonight

The show was already scheduled to have two title matches, and the WWE Universe was treated to a third one as Dragunov tried to get his hands on the US Championship once again.

Both men wrestled an incredibly high-paced and hard-hitting match, something that fans have started to expect from them. Ilja gave his all as he maintained control for large parts of the bout.

The Mad Dragon looked to hit a superplex on Hayes, but the champion turned it into a cutter mid-air to come back into the match, but Ilja made sure it didn’t last long.

He went to hit him with a Torpedo Moscow, but Hayes reversed it into a First 48. Melo then went for Nothing But Net, but the Mad Dragon moved out of the way. He then hit a Torpedo Moscow on the champ before going for a powerbomb. However, Melo reversed it into a surprise roll-up and retained his title.

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