Carmelo Hayes to Defend US Title on SmackDown, March 6th
Carmelo Hayes will defend his WWE United States Championship in an open challenge on the March 6th episode of SmackDown. This follows his recent retention against Matt Cardona, marking his sixth defense of the title.
Recent Title Defense Against Matt Cardona
On February 27, 2026, Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his U.S. Championship against Matt Cardona during “WWE SmackDown.” Cardona, returning to WWE after a stint away under the Zack Ryder moniker, dominated the early portion of the match, focusing on Hayes’ lower back and arms [Wrestling Inc.]. Hayes ultimately countered with a series of aerial maneuvers, including a springboard leg drop and splash and secured the victory with his finishing moves, First 48 and a pinfall [Yahoo Sports].
Initial Plans and Shift in Opponents
Hayes initially intended to defend the title against Ilja Dragunov in a rematch, but their previous encounter was disrupted by interference from The Miz. After Dragunov lost to Tama Tonga the prior week, he expressed a desire to settle that score before pursuing another title opportunity [Wrestling Inc.].
Open Challenge and Title Reign
Hayes won the U.S. Title from Ilja Dragunov in December 2025 and has continued the open challenge tradition established by Dragunov and Sami Zayn. He has faced opponents including Johnny Gargano, Shinsuke Nakamura, Leon Slater, Rey Fenix, and Matt Cardona during his reign, which is approaching the 80-day mark [Yahoo Sports].
SmackDown Lineup – March 6th
The March 6th episode of SmackDown, taking place in Portland, Oregon at the Moda Center, will also feature:
- WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defending against Cody Rhodes
- Rhea Ripley appearing ahead of her WrestleMania 42 match against WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill
- A match to determine fresh number one contenders to the WWE Tag Team titles
- A celebration for Nia Jax & Lash Legend’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship win
Concerns Over the Open Challenge Format
Some observers have noted that the open challenge concept may be losing its impact. While Hayes has consistently delivered strong performances, the frequent open challenges could benefit from evolving into a more substantial feud, potentially with Ilja Dragunov [WhatCulture]. A heel turn for Dragunov has been suggested as a possible development to revitalize the storyline.