Carmelo Hayes Retains US Title After Miz Interference

In a surprising turn on WWE SmackDown, United States Champion Carmelo Hayes retained his title against Ilja Dragunov on Friday night, thanks to an unsolicited interference from The Miz, sparking a heated social media exchange that drew an unexpected defense from AEW's Ricochet.

The event unfolded at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, during the January 23 episode of the show. Hayes, who has held the championship since capturing it earlier in his WWE career, faced off against Dragunov in a high-stakes defense. The two competitors delivered an intense match, but the outcome shifted when The Miz made his presence felt. With Hayes' back turned, The Miz entered the ring and attacked Dragunov, allowing Hayes to secure the pin and keep the title. This marked the latest chapter in the ongoing tension between Hayes and his former tag team partner, The Miz, known together as "Melo Don't Miss" before their split.

Hayes, unaware of The Miz's involvement during the bout, expressed his frustration immediately after the match. Posting on social media, he wrote, "Thank You Montréal Thank You Ilja Fck you Miz SmackDown." The message highlighted his gratitude toward the crowd and his opponent...