Overview
- Attendees at Van Andel Arena shared images on X showing Ilja Dragunov fastening the belt on Hayes after the match.
- The match came from an open challenge issued by Dragunov following a tag bout against #DIY.
- Coverage describes this as Hayes’ first major singles championship on WWE’s main roster.
- Reports place the taping in Grand Rapids for the year-end SmackDown episode scheduled to air December 26.
- Dragunov had held the United States Championship since October after defeating Sami Zayn, according to Newsweek’s report.