Returning WWE Superstar Wins United States Championship On SmackDown

 Ilja Dragunov is back, and he’s the new WWE United States Champion!

Dragunov answered Sami Zayn’s United States Championship Open Challenge on Friday night’s episode of SmackDown. It looked like The Miz would answer the challenge, and he came to the ring and cut a promo on Zayn. However, Carmelo Hayes ran out and attacked Miz from behind.

Melo slammed Miz’s head into the entrance screen and brawled as they made their way backstage. Zayn still had an opponent, as Dragunov’s music cued up. Zayn and Dragunov went back and forth in an impressive contest, with Dragunov kicking out of a Blue Thunder Bomb. The match ended after a distraction from Solo Sikoa, which allowed Dragunov to hit Torpedo Moscow and the H-Bomb for the win.

The celebration was cut short, however, as the MFTs attacked both Dragunov and Zayn after the match. Sikoa then came to the entranceway and said he was taking back everything that his family had lost. The Wyatt Sicks’ then interrupted him and sent a warning that they would answer the door if they knocked on it.

This is Dragunov’s first title since being called up to the WWE main roster. Sami Zayn’s WWE United States Championship reign ends at 50 days, as he won the title from Solo Sikoa on the August 29, 2025, episode of SmackDown.

The “Mad Dragon” had been out since September 2024 with an ACL injury. His last match was a live event loss to Gunther on September 28, 2024. PWInsider had reported that Dragunov was spotted backstage at SmackDown in San Jose. Fightful (via Fightful Select) and Bodyslam.net later reported that Dragunov was expected to have a match on the show.

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