Sami Zayn Set To Defend US Title at WrestleMania After WWE SmackDown Win
The road to WrestleMania 42 took a new turn on the March 27, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown, as Sami Zayn pushed his way into WrestleMania 42 with his US Title win over Carmelo Hayes.
In recent weeks, Zayn had been clearly frustrated. After missing out on a WWE Championship opportunity, he started displaying a more serious side. He even had tense moments backstage with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, questioning why others were getting chances while he wasn’t.
Things got worse on this week’s SmackDown when Trick Williams was given a WrestleMania match by Nick Aldis. While Aldis praised Williams, Zayn interrupted and asked about his own chance. Aldis told him that there was no place for him at WrestleMania 42.
Williams then made things worse by mocking Zayn. At first, Zayn walked away, but then he came back and punched Williams. He then told Aldis, “I’m going to have a match at WrestleMania. Just you watch.”
Soon after, Zayn got his chance. Hayes had been doing open challenges for the United States Championship, and Zayn stepped up. But before the match even started, Williams came out and sat beside the commentary table to watch the match.
When the match began, it was very competitive. Hayes controlled the early moments with his skills, but Zayn fought back. Both men landed big moves and came close to winning a few times.
Hayes fired back with strong hits and high-flying moves. He even hit his finisher, The First 48, and it looked like the match was over. But Zayn kicked out. Zayn then hit his Blue Thunder Driver but Hayes kicked out as well.
In the end, Williams got up. He slipped the US Title inside the ring. Zayn picked it, but the referee took it away. As the referee was busy taking the title outside the ring, Williams climbed up the apron and tried to attack Zayn with a metal can. However, Zayn moved out of the way, and Hayes got hit instead.
Zayn didn’t waste the chance. He hit a big Helluva Kick and pinned Hayes for the win.
