WWE Star Addresses Attacking New Champion

WWE

A WWE star has addressed attacking a new champion on SmackDown, following a singles championship changing hands.

A new US Champion was crowned in a match which aired on the December 26 edition of SmackDown, with Carmelo Hayes pinning Ilja Dragunov.

Hayes couldn’t celebrate for long however, with Johnny Gargano ambushing Hayes during a backstage post-match interview.

Gargano has now taken to Twitter to comment on his attack, first writing:

The heart, the soul.

Now I’m back to take my throne.

Gargano went on to share WWE’s video of him attacking Carmelo Hayes, adding the caption:

He knows what he’s done, and now I will take everything from him.

Like he did to me.

Carmelo Hayes has now announced his first WWE US Championship defence, with the new titleholder to put his gold on the line at an upcoming live event.

While commenting on Hayes’ title win, Triple H teased that big things are on the horizon for the new champion.

For the latest updates and news stories surrounding WWE following Carmelo Hayes’ US Championship win, click here.

He knows what he's done, and now I will take everything from him.

Like he did to me. https://t.co/gC2UGY9rVZ

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) December 27, 2025