On the December 26 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Carmelo Hayes defeated Ilja Dragunov to win the United States Championship.
After a backstage conversation, Hayes revealed that he will continue the open challenge to Ilja Dragunov. This led to Melo defeating Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the US Title on the January 9 SmackDown.
Now with another open challenge scheduled for the January 16 episode, it should be interesting to see who will step up to the plate next.
Here are nine next potential Carmelo Hayes WWE US Title Open Challenge opponents on SmackDown.
9. Nathan Frazer
On the January 9 edition of SmackDown, Nathan Frazer could be seen getting ready to answer Carmelo Hayes’ United States Championship Open Challenge.
However, Frazer was attacked by Johnny Gargano disguised as Axiom in the backstage area.
After his highly competitive battle with Ilja Dragunov for the title last year, Frazer could be just one opportunity away from winning singles gold on the WWE main roster.
Frazer being next to answer the open challenge should prove to deliver a showstealing encounter with Hayes that will further elevate the importance of the US Title.
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8. Axiom
Speaking of Nathan Frazer, Axiom is another individual who has answered the United States Championship Open Challenge in the past.
Going up against Ilja Dragunov, Axiom proved himself as a singles competitor who could stand toe-to-toe with any champion on the blue brand.
While Fraxiom might be busy with Johnny Gargano who still has possession of his mask, Axiom might change his focus to going after the US Title again.
Axiom answering the open challenge will present an exciting title bout against Hayes that might be the toughest test of his reign so far.
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7. Tama Tonga
Over the past few months, Tama Tonga has made it clear that he has his sights on the United States Championship.
The MFTs member is someone who has proven himself to be a capable in-ring competitor on his own from his time with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The former NEVER Openweight Champion could look to get his hands on his first singles gold on the WWE main roster.
With competitors coming after Hayes in mass, Tonga might be the most dangerous potential challenger for the current United States Champion.
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6. Alex Shelley
Since Ilja Dragunov won the United States Championship in October 2025, it has seemed like several stars from the SmackDown tag team scene have been looking for their opportunity.
Motor City Machine Guns have not been featured much in recent weeks on WWE TV since their last appearance in November.
While recent reports have indicated they will be part of the upcoming Lucha Libre AAA show, fans could see either Alex Shelley or Chris Sabin compete for some singles gold next.
Shelley is someone who has always been one of the best technical wrestlers in the world for years and could give Hayes a different kind of challenger for the US Title that might bring out a more grounded side of himself.
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5. Montez Ford
Meanwhile, The Street Profits are another duo who has been off WWE television for even longer than The Motor City Machine Guns.
For years, Montez Ford has been pegged as someone who could go on to have singles success when Street Profits go their separate ways.
Considering their last appearance was on the October 10 SmackDown, it might be time for WWE to explore different ways to use each individual.
Ford returning as the next challenger for the United States Championship would give him a massive chance to prove himself as a singles star who deserves a consistent role on the company’s programming moving forward.
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4. Aleister Black
Someone who has challenged for the United States Championship on several occasions is Aleister Black.
Whether it be against Sami Zayn or Ilja Dragunov, Black has been a formidable opponent and a threat to become US Champion at any time.
Now that his feud with Damian Priest has been put to bed, it might be time for Black to become more focused on capturing singles gold.
Black answering Carmelo Hayes’ United States Championship Open Challenge would rekindle their rivalry and give the former NXT Champion his best opportunity to win a title for the first time since his WWE return last April.
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3. Ethan Page
Since signing with WWE, Ethan Page has more than solidified himself as a top star on the NXT brand.
“All Ego” is someone who has showcased himself to be a more than capable in-ring performer and one of the best characters in the company.
Whether it be as NXT Champion or his current run as a double champion holding the North American and AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles, Page has checked every box for someone who is ready for the main roster stage.
Making his official in-ring debut on SmackDown, Page could answer the open challenge and give Carmelo Hayes more than a run for his money over the US Title.
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2. Oba Femi
On the New Year’s Evil 2026 edition of WWE NXT, Oba Femi shocked the world when he vacated the NXT Championship following his win over Leon Slater.
Making it clear that he intends on heading to the main roster, “The Ruler” made a huge statement that he plans to hold gold again on a bigger stage now.
There might not be a better chance to make an immediate impact on the main roster than by answering the United States Championship Open Challenge.
Femi coming out to face and eventually defeat Hayes would thrust him instantly into the spotlight and make him a must-see act on Friday Night SmackDown as the WWE United States Champion.
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1. Trick Williams
On the January 2 edition of WWE SmackDown, Trick Williams made his official debut on the blue brand by interrupting Sami Zayn.
After making it clear that he planned on being a world champion, it seems like Williams wants to sit on the mountaintop of Friday Night SmackDown.
While he has a chance to get into the upper echelon with his qualifying match against Matt Cardona on the January 16 episode, Trick may not win the eventual four-way to become number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
If he comes up short, Williams could see the chance to rekindle his rivalry with his former best friend Carmelo Hayes by taking the United States Championship from him after answering his open challenge.
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