Ilja Dragunov’s open challenge era comes to an abrupt end
Summary
– A United States Championship change took place on the December 26 SmackDown taping
– Ilja Dragunov formally ended the United States Open Challenge
– Carmelo Hayes emerged with the title after their championship match
WWE’s December 26 episode of SmackDown included a significant development in the United States Championship picture. The change unfolded during the taping as part of a broader night filled with storyline movement.
Ilja Dragunov addressed the crowd and announced that he was ending the United States Open Challenge, a concept he helped revive during his reign as champion. The announcement marked the conclusion of a run that emphasized competition and weekly title defenses.
Shortly after ending the open challenge, Dragunov defended the championship in a scheduled match. Carmelo Hayes capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a strong performance that resulted in a decisive outcome.
The match concluded with Hayes capturing the United States Championship. In a moment of respect, Dragunov personally placed the title around Hayes’ waist following the decision.
The title change was one of several notable moments taped for the episode. Additional appearances and segments throughout the night added to the buzz surrounding the upcoming SmackDown broadcast.
As WWE closes out 2025, the United States Championship scene now looks very different. With a new champion crowned and the open challenge officially retired, SmackDown heads into the new year with a refreshed title landscape.
SMACKDOWN SPOILERS
it won’t air for a week but holy shit Ilja vs Carmelo was the best match i’ve seen in a LONG TIME#smackdown #wwe pic.twitter.com/AZs3tuVTAO
— Joey (@joeyeinberger) December 20, 2025
