Note: This article contains spoilers for upcoming WWE programming. Reader discretion is advised.
The United States Championship boasts a storied legacy that long predates its time in WWE. Established in January
1975, it began as the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship, defended in Jim Crockett Promotions and later in World Championship Wrestling.
Over its 50-year history, Lex Luger’s 523-day reign from May 1989 to October 1990 remains the longest in the title’s history — an extraordinary benchmark. To put it in perspective, the combined reign of the past seven champions, though totaling over 500 days, still doesn’t surpass Luger’s single stretch.
This year has seen seven title changes, each reign lasting less than 100 days. Those startling statistics beg the obvious question: what on God’s green earth has happened to the United States Championship?
Doorknob Title
Since the start of 2025, WWE’s “Star-Spangled” prize has turned into wrestling’s doorknob title — everyone gets a turn. Unfortunately, not every champion reaches a place of meaning.
The title’s decline began in 2024, shortly after LA Knight won the title from Logan Paul at SummerSlam. For months, Knight was lost in the shuffle, the third wheel in a feud between Carmelo Hayes and Andrade.
In a surprising twist, Knight dropped the title at Survivor Series to a returning Shinsuke Nakamura, who had been off TV for seven months. Rather than signaling a resurgence for Nakamura, the switch seemed to serve WWE’s plans in Japan, boosting Nakamura’s return to Pro Wrestling NOAH this past January.
In March in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Constitution, Knight regained the title. However, his second reign lasted far shorter than it took to draft the Constitution. After just 43 days, Knight dropped the title to Jacob Fatu, who was in the midst of a breakout.
Ironically, Fatu’s surging solo run was abruptly halted two months later by Solo Sikoa, the man he had once emphatically loved. Rather than launching a dominant streak, Sikoa’s victory seemed more like an employee of the month nod, honoring his prior success in feuds with Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes.
After just 62 days, Sikoa lost America’s treasure to Sami Zayn, who vowed to use the title as a springboard for a world championship campaign in 2026. In tribute to the retiring John Cena, Zayn revived the U.S. Title Open Challenge, giving anyone a shot at glory.
That move backfired spectacularly: Ilja Dragunov vetoed Zayn’s future ambitions 49 days into his run, seizing the title in a surprising return following injury. It seemed Dragunov, a unique talent in need of the right showcase, had finally found his place.
Not so fast.
At last Friday’s SmackDown taping, Dragunov lost the championship to the newest flavor of the month, Carmelo Hayes. Dragunov’s total reign? Just 63 days.
Since joining WWE’s main roster in 2024, fans have been waiting for Hayes to have a breakout moment. His feud with Andrade produced several entertaining matches, but failed to move him up the card.
Hayes’ win over Dragunov could signal the start of a push. Then again, the same was said for Nakamura, Knight, Fatu, Sikoa, Zayn, and Dragunov.
Let Freedom Ring
To truly validate the United States Championship, and its new champion, a prolonged, meaningful title run — one filled with exciting matches and successful defenses — is in order. Without it, Hayes risks becoming just another placeholder, delivering thrilling but ultimately meaningless bouts for a championship that changes hands so often even the old 24/7 title would scoff.
