5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (2 Jan - Results & Review)

3. Melo Keeps The US Goodness Going

Carmelo Hayes beat Johnny Gargano in a tidy United States Title match. No, fans didn’t (for a second) believe that Melo’s newly won belt was under threat, but he’s building something decent as a babyface and has people in his corner. That sympathetic babyface role worked for Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov as United States Champions, and it’ll work for Hayes.

Of course, it would be lovely if Carmelo actually got a full blown feud rather than doing the ‘Open Challenge’ thing weekly forever, but it’s hard to argue against matches of this quality. Looking forwards, Tama Tonga is still due a United States Title shot. It's a real shame we didn’t see Tama vs. Ilja, but Tonga vs. Hayes would be class if it happened too. Perhaps Shinsuke Nakamura could poke his nose in on that fun to keep...whatever's bubbling there between he and Tama going?

Cue Solo getting steaming mad at the thought of his troops making alliances without his say so.

The men's United States Title scene did keep SmackDown purring during the final few months of last year, and there's no sign that's set to stop in 2026. The timing couldn't be better for Melo either - management will need him to step up and work lengthy matches to pad out these 3 hour episodes, and he's ready for that challenge.

Here's hoping creative don't forget all about Dragunov too. Maybe a heel turn will be in the works for him as he targets the belt he just lost to Hayes. That'd ease concerns that US Champs won't get proper rivalries as well.