Tag: united states title

US title open challenge set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Friday’s WWE SmackDown episode in London will see Carmelo Hayes make his third defense of the United States Championship.

WWE has confirmed that Hayes will have another open challenge on SmackDown this week, defending his belt against a yet-to-be-named opponent. Hayes became champion by defeating Ilja Dragunov at the end of 2025 and has already defeated Johnny Gargano and Shinsuke Nakamura during his reign.

Since Sami Zayn won the title in August 2025, United States Championship open challenges have been a regular fixture on SmackDown. Dragunov continued the tradition during his reign, with Hayes now picking up the mantle.

This is the first title that Hayes has held since being called up to the WWE main roster. For tomorrow’s match, he’s invited the best of the United Kingdom to step up:

OVO Arena Wembley is hosting Friday’s SmackDown. Outside of the United States, the show will air live on Netflix. It will then be broadcast on USA Network in SmackDown’s regular time slot.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, January 16) —

  • New WWE Champion Drew McIntyre appears
  • SNME number one contendership qualifying match: Randy Orton vs. The Miz
  • SNME number one contendership qualifying match: Solo Sikoa vs. Damian Priest
  • SNME number one contendership qualifying match: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
  • SNME number one contendership qualifying match: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Carmelo Hayes United States Championship open challenge

The four qualifying match winners advance to a four-way bout at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24, which will determine McIntyre’s WWE Championship challenger for the Royal Rumble.

US title open challenge set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

United States Champion Ilja Dragunov will be making another title defense on WWE SmackDown tonight.

Ahead of the show, Dragunov confirmed on social media that he’s issuing another open challenge for his belt tonight. His first open challenge took place last week with Dragunov retaining against Aleister Black. Tonight’s opponent has not been named yet.

“This title is a legacy and the open challenge is my duty,” Dragunov wrote. “Who wants to step up tonight?”

Making his long-awaited return, Dragunov defeated Sami Zayn two weeks ago to become the new United States Champion. It was Dragunov’s first match since tearing his ACL more than a year ago. As champion, Dragunov is continuing the open challenge series that was a weekly feature of Zayn’s reign.

Zayn reflected on his U.S. title reign in a tweet yesterday, calling it one of his favorite things he’s ever done in WWE.

Salt Lake City, Utah is hosting SmackDown tonight with the show being held at the Delta Center on Halloween night.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, October 31) —

  • Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre contract signing
  • Jade Cargill speaks
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Kit Wilson
  • Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
  • Ilja Dragunov United States Championship open challenge

Title open challenge added to WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On WWE SmackDown tonight, Sami Zayn will defend his United States Championship in an open challenge.

WWE posted a video this afternoon revealing that a U.S. title open challenge will be part of tonight’s SmackDown lineup. The identity of Zayn’s opponent is not known yet. Last week, Zayn revealed that regular open challenges would be part of his reign — with Zayn honoring John Cena and his history of giving underrated talent an opportunity when he was U.S. champ.

Zayn started his reign two weeks ago when he defeated Solo Sikoa for the U.S. title. His first defense was a match against Cena last Friday, but it ended in a no contest when Brock Lesnar interrupted things by attacking both competitors.

Lesnar, who is set to face Cena at WWE’s Wrestlepalooza PLE on September 20, will be on SmackDown tonight to address his actions. Cena is not appearing on the episode.

Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia is the venue for tonight. Here is the updated lineup:

WWE SmackDown (Friday, September 12) —

  • Brock Lesnar appears
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Jade Cargill
  • Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre
  • Sami Zayn United States Championship open challenge

Shinsuke Nakamura wins United States title at WWE Survivor Series

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Shinsuke Nakamura is now a three-time WWE United States Champion.

At Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday, Nakamura pinned LA Knight to win the United States Championship. The title change comes just a couple of weeks after a repackaged Nakamura made his return to WWE programming, targeting Knight in the process. We’ve seen a more sinister version of the Nakamura character since then with changes to his look and entrance.

Nakamura raked Knight’s eyes near the end of the match and delivered a reverse DDT onto the steel connecting the two rings for WarGames. A Kinshasa then got the victory for Nakamura.

Knight had been U.S. Champion since dethroning Logan Paul at SummerSlam this August. The commentary team tonight pushed that Knight did not look right in the match because he was affected by Nakamura’s mind games.

Before this, Nakamura’s most recent title reign was a run with the Intercontinental Championship in 2021-2022. It’s been nearly six years since he last held the U.S. title.

Though he spent several months away from WWE television this year, the 44-year-old Nakamura still worked house shows during that period. He returned to TV on the November 15 episode of SmackDown.

United States title open challenge set for WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The United States title will be on the line on tonight’s Crown Jewel fallout edition of Raw.

WWE has announced that United States Champion Seth Rollins will issue an open challenge for his title on Raw tonight. It will be the second defense of Rollins’ current US title reign.

Rollins became United States Champion by defeating Bobby Lashley on Raw four weeks ago. Rollins goaded Lashley into still going on with the title match despite being attacked by Brock Lesnar.

Three weeks ago, Rollins retained the United States title against Matt Riddle on Raw. 

Rollins defeated Austin Theory in a non-title match last Monday. Theory went for a Pedigree near the end of the match, but Rollins reversed it and hit a stomp to get the win.

Tonight’s Raw is taking place at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Rollins’ open challenge is the first announcement that’s been made for the show.

United States title steel cage match set for WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A title match is set for the Clash at the Castle fallout edition of WWE Raw.

Bobby Lashley will defend his United States Championship against The Miz in a steel cage match on Raw this Monday. Lashley and Miz also faced off on Raw earlier this week, with Lashley defeating Miz in a non-title match.

The steel cage match between Lashley and Miz was set up by a challenge that Miz issued. Miz posted a video on social media saying that he would have defeated Lashley last Monday if it wasn’t for Dexter Lumis. Miz said he wants to make the United States Championship relevant, wants the title to be represented on every PPV, and wants it to be represented bigger than any other title in WWE.

Lashley then responded to Miz and accepted the challenge. Lashley said the way for the US title to gain respect, honor, and credibility is staying out of the hands of people like Miz. Lashley promised to make an example out of Miz in their steel cage match.

Miz lost to Lashley last Monday after being distracted by Lumis appearing in the crowd. The previous week, there was an angle where Miz was kidnapped by Lumis.

Monday’s Raw is being held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

United States title changes hands at WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new United States champion was crowned during tonight’s WWE Elimination Chamber event.

Riddle defeated John Morrison and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat match to win the title. The finish had John Morrison take MVP’s crutch to use on Lashley. However, Lashley countered and put Morrison in the Hurt Lock, causing Morrison to drop the crutch. Riddle grabbed it, attacked Lashley, then pinned Morrison with the Bro Derek to win. This is Riddle’s first run with the United States title.

This ends Lashley’s run with the title after 172 days, defeating Apollo Crews for the championship back at WWE Payback on August 30.

The triple threat match was originally supposed to feature Keith Lee, as he and Riddle had a match two weeks ago on Raw that Lee won. However, Lashley came out and attacked both men after the match, including using steel stairs to attack Lee. Prior to the start of tonight’s event, it was announced that Lee would not be able to compete due to an injury. A fatal four way match was then set up, where Morrison defeated Mustafa Ali, Ricochet, and Elias to advance to the pay-per-view.

Riddle to challenge Bobby Lashley for WWE United States title

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Image: WWE

After winning a gauntlet match against the Hurt Business, Riddle is now in line for a shot at the United States Championship.

To become the number one contender to United States Champion Bobby Lashley’s United States, Riddle defeated Lashley’s Hurt Business stablemates Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and Cedric Alexander in a gauntlet match on tonight’s Raw. WWE hasn’t announced when Riddle will be getting his title shot.

Riddle celebrated as he was walking up the ramp after the gauntlet match, but he was soon attacked by Lashley, who laid Riddle out with the Hurt Lock submission. The rest of the Hurt Business celebrated with Lashley as they exited.

During the gauntlet match, Riddle defeated Shelton Benjamin in under five minutes after Alexander distracted the referee, causing tension between Benjamin and Alexander. As the Hurt Business argued, Riddle submitted MVP quickly with a heel hook. After a back-and-forth match, Riddle then defeated Alexander with a roll-up.

Riddle has spent the last several weeks feuding with the Hurt Business. He most recently faced Lashley for the United States championship on the January 11 edition of Raw, but lost in under two minutes after Lashley attacked him before the bell rang.

United States title match to open WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A United States title match originally set for Extreme Rules will take place on Raw.

WWE confirmed this afternoon that Apollo Crews will defend the United States title against MVP on Raw. The WWE.com article noted that the match will start the show.

Crews was originally set to defend the title against MVP at Extreme Rules. However, WWE said at the time that he wasn’t cleared to compete as a result of an attack by Bobby Lashley. Apollo was last seen on the June 27 edition of Raw, losing a match to MVP. Lashley assaulted Apollo after the match, leading to an in-storyline injury.

In the weeks since Extreme Rules, MVP has continued to declare himself champion despite Apollo still being recognized by WWE as champion, going as far as showcasing a new United States championship belt. 

Shelton Benjamin has since joined forces with MVP and Bobby Lashley. Together, they have formed the faction known as The Hurt Business.

Humberto Carrillo to challenge for US title on next week’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One night after he faces Shinsuke Nakamura and Roderick Strong at Survivor Series, AJ Styles will defend his United States Championship on Raw.

WWE has announced that Humberto Carrillo will challenge for Styles’ United States title on Raw next Monday. The show is taking place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois and will be the last of WWE’s four straight nights at the venue.

Carrillo teamed with Randy Orton & Ricochet on last week’s Raw and pinned Styles in a six-man tag main event. Tonight, Carrillo defeated Karl Anderson in a singles match. The Street Profits came out to ringside during the match, evened the odds against The O.C., and helped Carrillo win.

Styles cut a promo before Carrillo vs. Anderson and said he would love to defend his title against Carrillo tonight, but Carrillo disrespected him last week.

Styles retained his US title against Carrillo at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on October 31, with Carrillo getting the title shot after winning a 20-man battle royal on the pre-show.

Styles vs. Nakamura vs. Strong at Survivor Series is a non-title matchup between the US Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and NXT North American Champion.

Battle royal winner to challenge for US title at WWE Crown Jewel

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The United States Championship will be on the line at Crown Jewel next Thursday (October 31).

WWE announced today that there will be a 20-man battle royal at Crown Jewel. The winner of it will advance to challenge for AJ Styles’ United States title that same night.

WWE hasn’t revealed any of the battle royal participants.

Styles has been United States Champion since defeating Ricochet for the title at Extreme Rules this July.

Crown Jewel is taking place at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It will air live on the WWE Network, with the main card starting at 1 p.m. Eastern time.

Here’s the updated lineup for the show

  • WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Cain Velasquez
  • Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury
  • Universal Champion Seth Rollins defending against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in a falls count anywhere match (WWE has announced a stipulation where the match can’t end in a stoppage)
  • Team Hogan (Roman Reigns, Rusev, Ricochet, Ali & Chad Gable) w/ Hulk Hogan vs. Team Flair (Randy Orton, Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Shinsuke Nakamura & Drew McIntyre) w/ Ric Flair
  • United States Champion AJ Styles defending against battle royal winner
  • Mansoor vs. Cesaro
  • World Cup tag team turmoil match (The New Day, The Viking Raiders, Heavy Machinery, The Lucha House Party, Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins, The Revival, The O.C., Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, and The B-Team announced)
  • 20-man battle royal to determine AJ Styles’ challenger for that night

Rey Mysterio relinquishes WWE United States title to Samoa Joe

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Samoa Joe is again the United States Champion.

Going into tonight’s Raw, WWE advertised that Rey Mysterio would make an appearance and relinquish the United States title. That ended up happening, with Mysterio giving the championship back to Samoa Joe.

Mysterio spoke on the microphone on Raw and said he was there to do the right thing as a man and as a champion. He went to say that he was going to relinquish the title due to his shoulder injury, but Joe interrupted him. Joe said the reason Mysterio is giving up the title is because Mysterio never really beat him.

Mysterio said he’s won championships through pain and injury his entire career — and if he’s man enough to do that, he’s man enough to do what he came here to do. Mysterio officially announced that, due to his shoulder injury, he was relinquishing the U.S. title to Joe. Joe then locked Mysterio in the Coquina Clutch as he tried to leave the ring.

Mysterio won the U.S. title from Joe at Money in the Bank on May 19. Joe’s shoulder was up when he was pinned, and Mysterio suffered a legitimate shoulder injury at the pay-per-view.

On May 23, Mysterio posted an Instagram video of himself receiving platelet-rich plasma treatment for the injury. Mysterio confirmed that he separated a bit of his AC joint.

WWE: Rey Mysterio to relinquish US title on Raw next week

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Going into this week’s Raw, WWE advertised that the status of the United States Championship would be addressed.

An announcement was made tonight, with WWE claiming that Rey Mysterio will appear on next Monday’s Raw and relinquish the US title. The separated shoulder Mysterio suffered at Money in the Bank was the reason given for why Mysterio will vacate the title.

Mysterio became United States Champion by defeating Samoa Joe at Money in the Bank, though Joe’s shoulder was up when the referee counted the pin. Mysterio suffered a legitimate shoulder injury at the pay-per-view.

Joe cut a promo on tonight’s Raw and mentioned Mysterio appearing next week. Joe said he’ll be waiting to take back the US title.

On Instagram last week, Mysterio posted a video of him receiving platelet-rich plasma treatment for his shoulder. Mysterio said he separated a little bit of his AC joint at Money in the Bank.

State of US title to be addressed on next week’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The status of the United States Championship will be addressed on next Monday’s episode of Raw.

That segment comes after the US title match at Money in the Bank ended in controversy. Rey Mysterio won the title from Samoa Joe at the pay-per-view, with Joe having his shoulder up while Mysterio pinned him.

Video of a promo from Joe aired on Raw tonight. Joe said he’d give Mysterio the opportunity to give the US title back to him. Joe called on Mysterio to be the man Mysterio wants his son Dominick to be, then ended the promo by threatening Mysterio.

Mysterio didn’t appear on tonight’s Raw after he was injured at Money in the Bank. Joe also hurt his nose at the PPV.

After Mysterio won the US title on Sunday, there was a post-match angle where Joe attacked Mysterio in front of Dominick.

The Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri is hosting next week’s Memorial Day edition of Raw. WWE is also hyping that Brock Lesnar will announce whether he’s going to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase for a shot at the Universal or WWE Championship. When and where Lesnar will be getting his title shot has yet to be revealed.

United States title changes hands on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Samoa Joe has won his first title on the WWE main roster.

Joe won the United States Championship by defeating R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, and Andrade in a fatal four-way match on this week’s SmackDown. The match was set up by Joe, Mysterio, and Andrade all answering R-Truth’s open challenge.

After Mysterio hit the 619 and a frog splash on Andrade, Joe broke up the pin with a senton. The finish of the match was Joe pinning Andrade after hitting a uranage.

This was the second week in a row that there’s been a US title open challenge on SmackDown, with the story being that R-Truth wanted to be like John Cena.

Joe did a backstage interview after winning the US title. Joe said he isn’t one to come out and do dance breaks, he doesn’t pander to the masses of the unexceptional, and he surely isn’t a man who loves John Cena. Joe said all his opponents will find is disrespect.