Kevin Owens has sent a message to a WWE star after their “well deserved” championship win on the December 26 episode of SmackDown.
The special Boxing Day edition of SmackDown gave fans the latest United States Title defense from fighting champion Ilja Dragunov, with “The Mad Dragon” putting the title on the line against Carmelo Hayes.
After seven successful title defenses since winning the gold from Sami Zayn on October 17, it was this time the challenger who came out victorious as Hayes captured his first championship since being called up to SmackDown from NXT in April 2024.
Hayes was congratulated by the likes of WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H and his real-life fiancée Kelani Jordan in the wake of the victory, but now another notable name has followed suit: Kevin Owens.
Owens, who himself is a former US Champion, took to Twitter in reaction to Hayes’ win, writing:
Special moment.
Well-deserved moment.
Congrats, man!
Owens has been out of action in WWE since March, with his last match being his Unsanctioned bout with Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber 2025.
“The Prizefighter” underwent neck surgery in July, but did make a brief return to WWE TV at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 for John Cena’s final match – appearing in the crowd and sharing an embrace with 17-time world champion.
Special moment.
Well-deserved moment.
Congrats, man! https://t.co/0SkeN22RPR
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) December 28, 2025
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