Carmelo Hayes has impressed in his first reign as United States Champion, defending successfully against Johnny Gargano, Shinsuke Nakamura, Leon Slater, and Ilja Dragunov. For Royal Rumble 2026, WWE could announce an open challenge for Hayes’ title. This would allow a surprise return or debut, with names like Chad Gable or Oba Femi possible contenders. Hayes’ consistency makes the challenge compelling, and fans will anticipate who steps up.
