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Sami Zayn won the United States championship from Carmelo Hayes last week on SmackDown by taking advantage of an unexpected assist from Trick Williams.
Naturally, Carmelo demanded a rematch for the gold on tonight’s (Apr. 3) episode. Sami was reluctant at first and told Hayes he would have to wait until after WrestleMania. However, Sami’s conscience won out like it usually does, and he ultimately agreed to put the title (and his spot at WrestleMania 42 against Williams) on the line.
The fans were behind Hayes and booing Sami at times during this bout, after last week’s injustice to the champ. However, Carmelo was selling a leg injury in the match that proved to be his undoing. The ref wasn’t sure if Hayes could continue the match due to his leg issue after missing First 48. When the ref was busy checking on Melo in the corner, Zayn ignored his conscience and nailed Hayes with the Helluva Kick for the pin fall win.
Commentary played it up like this was Melo’s only chance to be part of the United States championship match at WrestleMania, and now it’s gone. Afterwards, Trick Williams and Lil Yachty hit the ring to take out Zayn. It was announced earlier in the show that Yachty is going to WrestleMania to support Trick when he challenges Zayn for the belt.
The end result is that Lil Yachty has a role at WrestleMania 42, and Carmelo Hayes doesn’t. Maybe Melo should head over to Raw next week and see if GM Adam Pearce has any open spots in the Intercontinental title ladder match.
What do you think about the way Zayn retained the US gold over Hayes, and what do you expect from Lil Yachty at WWE’s biggest show of the year? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
Catch up on all the results from SmackDown in our live blog right here.
