Sami Zayn continues to reinforce his dominance as the WWE United States Champion, successfully defending his title for the fourth straight week by pinning rising star Carmelo Hayes on the September 19, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio[1][4]. Despite recent speculation about his status, Zayn remains a formidable champion, showcasing his veteran savvy and resilience in another tough matchup.
The night’s main event featured a high-stakes United States Championship Open Challenge where Sami Zayn put his title on the line against Carmelo Hayes, one of WWE’s most promising talents. The match was a compelling clash of styles: Zayn’s crafty, adaptive in-ring psychology against Hayes’s athleticism and youthful aggression. Throughout the bout, both competitors exchanged momentum, but it was Zayn’s ring intelligence and experience that ultimately secured his victory[2][4].
This victory marked Zayn’s fourth consecutive successful defense of the United States Championship in as many weeks, further establishing his reign as one of the longest and most credible of recent memory. Each defense has built upon the last, elevating the prestige of the title. WWE.com’s highlights of the match noted Zayn’s relentless pressure on Hayes’s arm and his ability to keep Hayes on the defensive, leading to a decisive pinfall that left the crowd chanting in approval[4].
Backstage sources close to WWE and speaking with Fightful revealed that Sami Zayn has been embracing his role not just as a champion but as a seasoned leader helping to elevate emerging talent like Hayes. A WWE insider stated, “Sami is not just winning matches; he’s showing the new generation how to carry themselves at this level. The chemistry between him and Hayes is already sparking backstage fantasies about larger storylines ahead.” This sense of mentorship adds another layer to Zayn’s continued presence with the U.S. title[1].
The match also reinforced Tariq Carmelo Hayes’s reputation as a breakout star who can work confidently in high-pressure situations. Despite the loss, insiders suggest Hayes’s stock is rising quickly. Reports from WWE podcasts and post-match interviews emphasize that his performances against top-tier stars like Zayn position him as a future main-event player. A recurring theme in these discussions is that Hayes is learning invaluable lessons from Zayn’s ring craft, with one commentator on the popular “WrestleCast” podcast noting, “Carmelo’s performance tonight was a statement — he’s not just a challenger, he’s a future champion in the making”[1][5].
In addition to the championship bout, the episode of SmackDown featured other major developments that set the stage for future WWE storylines, including Brock Lesnar’s ominous appearance attacking commentator Michael Cole and teasing a bloody confrontation with John Cena. Also, a heated contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre took place, fueling anticipation for their upcoming clash[1].
Sami Zayn’s reign and recent performances reveal a strategic WWE storytelling direction: positioning the U.S. Championship as a centerpiece for fostering new rivalries and star-building moments. Sources suggest WWE creative aims to keep Zayn strong as champion to maintain credibility for the belt while testing Carmelo Hayes’s readiness for a full title run. This dual narrative boosts intrigue and engagement, drawing fans eager to see if Hayes can finally dethrone the resilient Zayn[1][4].
Overall, this SmackDown event reaffirmed Sami Zayn’s status as a top-tier WWE United States Champion while simultaneously elevating Carmelo Hayes as a legitimate threat to the title in the near future. Fans and analysts agree this rivalry is a highlight of the current WWE landscape, blending seasoned expertise with fresh ambition in a compelling championship narrative.
As Sami Zayn continues his remarkable title defenses, all eyes remain on when — and how — a new chapter in the U.S. Championship saga will unfold, with Carmelo Hayes poised to be at the forefront of that story. Until then, Zayn remains the steadfast champion, dominating the competition and solidifying his place in WWE history[1][4].