WWE SmackDown Results: Sami Zayn defeats Carmelo Hayes to retain United States Championship, set to face Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42; watch here

Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes on Friday Night SmackDown (April 3, 2026) and retained his United States Championship in a hard-fought battle against Carmelo Hayes. Following the victory on the latest episode of SmackDown, Zayn, who made a return to the blue brand this Friday, is all set for his blockbuster title defense against Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42.

The fast-paced battle between Zayn and Hayes saw both superstars trade momentum with high-impact offense, including Hayes’ springboard cross body and leg drop and Zayn’s signature exploder into the turnbuckle. The bout reached a dramatic climax when Hayes’ injured knee became a decisive factor. The challenger briefly looked poised to take control after landing his First 48 and heading to the top rope for Nothing But Net, but Zayn rolled out of the way, leaving Hayes in visible pain.

As the referee checked on Hayes, the pause created an opening that the champion did not hesitate to exploit. Zayn charged in and delivered a decisive Helluva Kick before quickly going for the cover, securing the pinfall victory to retain his title.





The controversial finish, coming amid concern for Hayes’ condition, ultimately underscored Zayn’s opportunistic edge in a tightly contested championship clash.




This week WWE SmackDown took place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, as the road to WrestleMania 42 continued. Meanwhile, among other events that unfolded during the night, Randy Orton came out in his hometown and said he would win his 15th world title at WrestleMania 42. He asserted that his quest for the title is for himself and his family, not the fans, and warned that Cody Rhodes would leave empty-handed.

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