Carmelo Hayes Overcomes Ilja Dragunov To‌ Win US title ‍On ⁤WWE ⁢SmackDown

Carmelo ⁤Hayes won his first title on WWE’s main roster, defeating Ilja Dragunov ⁤to become the new United States Champion on​ the May 3, 2024, episode of SmackDown. The match was a hard-fought ⁢contest, showcasing the athleticism and ‌skill of both competitors.

What Happened?

The match began with a fast pace, with both Hayes and Dragunov exchanging strikes. Dragunov, known for his powerful offence, quickly established dominance, ‍but hayes proved‌ resilient,‍ utilizing his ​speed ⁣and agility to counter. ​The match featured⁤ several near falls, with both wrestlers coming ‍close to securing the victory.A key moment came when Hayes countered Dragunov’s signature Torpedo Moskau with ⁤a springboard cutter. Ultimately,⁢ Hayes secured the win with his finishing move, ‌the Nothing ​But E. ‌The ⁢match lasted ​approximately ⁣18 minutes.

The‌ Meaning‌ of the Win

This victory marks a ⁣critically important⁤ milestone in⁢ Carmelo Hayes’ ​career. Having dominated in NXT for an ‌extended period, winning ‍both the NXT Championship and the NXT North American Championship, Hayes’ move to the main‍ roster was highly ⁤anticipated. Winning the​ US ‍Title so⁣ quickly establishes him as ‌a credible threat on SmackDown and⁤ positions⁢ him for a potential run at the WWE Championship