Triple H Teases ‘Big Things’ For WWE Star Ahead Of 2026

WWE

Triple H has teased “big things” are coming for a rising WWE star following a major win on the final SmackDown of 2025.

The special Boxing Day edition of WWE SmackDown saw Ilja Dragunov once again put his United States Championship on the line, hand selecting Carmelo Hayes as his challenger, after being unsatisfied with the finish of their previous encounter on December 5 – which was marred by interference from Tommaso Ciampa.

Thankfully for Hayes and Dragunov there was no such controversy in their rematch, as the pair went toe-to-toe for 20 minutes in an exciting bout that resulted in Hayes dethroning “The Mad Dragon” to become the brand new United States Champion.

Following the result, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H sent out a social media post in reaction to Hayes’ first main roster title win.

Sharing a video of he and Melo embracing in Gorilla Position, Triple H wrote:

The year isn’t over until the bell rings… Congratulations @Carmelo_WWE on becoming the NEW United States Champion.

Big things on the horizon…#SmackDown

Hayes’ win comes 20 months after he was first called up to SmackDown from NXT, where he was chosen as the number one pick in the 2024 WWE Draft.

Also on SmackDown, Hayes’ former tag team partner Trick Williams became the latest NXT star teased to be joining Raw or SmackDown heading into 2026, as he got in the face of Nick Aldis and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes during a backstage segment.

The year isn’t over until the bell rings… Congratulations @Carmelo_WWE on becoming the NEW United States Champion.

Big things on the horizon…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/lBTfMeQS2y

— Triple H (@TripleH) December 27, 2025