Major Third-Generation Star Makes Surprise Debut On WWE SmackDown

Carmelo Hayes has been on a dominant run as the WWE United States Champion ever since winning the title on the 2025’s final episode of SmackDown from Ilja Dragunov.

He carried on the legacy of the belt and continued with the United States’ Championship open challenge, which Sami Zayn brought back before he dropped the belt to Dragunov.

Hayes has faced many great competitors during his Open Challenges and faced another huge obstacle tonight as a third-generation superstar made his WWE debut tonight.

Carmelo Hayes puts his WWE US Championship on the line once again

The AAA Latin American Champion, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr, made a surprise appearance on Friday Night SmackDown tonight as he answered Melo’s Open Challenge.

Coming from a prominent wrestling family, Wagner Jr’s grandfather and father, both of whom went by Dr. Wagner and Dr. Wagner Jr., respectively, and he has carried on his family’s legacy.

Hayes had a competitive match with the AAA star, but managed to fend off the challenge after capitalizing on a missed dive from Wagner Jr, as he followed up on the missed moonsault with Nothing But Net to retain his championship.

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