At Night 1 of the [[2024 WWE Draft]] on the April 26 episode of ”[[SmackDown]]”, Hayes was drafted to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]] as the third overall draft pick.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Every 2024 WWE Draft pick |url=https://www.wwe.com/article/every-2024-wwe-draft-pick |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430040256/https://www.wwe.com/amp/article/every-2024-wwe-draft-pick |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website= |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> He then challenged [[Undisputed WWE Championship|Undisputed WWE Champion]] [[Cody Rhodes]] to a match as his first opponent as a main roster wrestler, which he lost. Despite the loss, Rhodes showed respect to Hayes.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Quiles |first=Fernando Jr. |date=April 26, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night SmackDown Free Live Stream Results: WWE Draft 2024 Begins, The Bloodline Drama Continues |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-wwe-draft-2024-the-bloodline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427023426/https://www.si.com/wrestling/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-wwe-draft-2024-the-bloodline |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> Hayes participated in the [[King and Queen of the Ring (2024)#King of the Ring tournament|King of the Ring]] tournament and the [[Money in the Bank ladder match]], but did not win either.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=May 17, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (5/17): Barnett’s review of Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax, Bianca Belair vs. Tiffany Stratton, Randy Orton vs. Carmelo Hayes, and Tama Tonga vs. LA Knight in King and Queen of the Ring matches |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/17/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-5-17-barnetts-review-of-jade-cargill-vs-nia-jax-bianca-belair-vs-tiffany-stratton-randy-orton-vs-carmelo-hayes-and-tama-tonga-vs-la-knight-in-king-and-qu/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522170714/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/17/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-5-17-barnetts-review-of-jade-cargill-vs-nia-jax-bianca-belair-vs-tiffany-stratton-randy-orton-vs-carmelo-hayes-and-tama-tonga-vs-la-knight-in-king-and-qu/ |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Connor |date=July 7, 2024 |title=2024 WWE Money in the Bank results, recap, grades: CM Punk thwarts McIntyre again, Solo Sikoa pins Cody Rhodes |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2024-wwe-money-in-the-bank-results-recap-grades-cm-punk-thwarts-mcintyre-again-solo-sikoa-pins-cody-rhodes/live/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713000231/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2024-wwe-money-in-the-bank-results-recap-grades-cm-punk-thwarts-mcintyre-again-solo-sikoa-pins-cody-rhodes/live/ |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=[[CBSSports.com]]}}</ref> After Money in the Bank, Hayes began a feud with fellow Money in the Bank competitor [[Andrade El Idolo|Andrade]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nath |first=Rohit |date=July 13, 2024 |title=Andrade says 29-year-old star is “next” for him after failing to win the Money in the Bank briefcase |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-andrade-says-29-year-old-star-next-failing-win-money-bank-briefcase |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821085254/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-andrade-says-29-year-old-star-next-failing-win-money-bank-briefcase |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[Sportskeeda]]}}</ref> By the end of September, Hayes and Andrade won three matches each against each other.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=September 27, 2024 |title=WWE Smackdown results (9/27): Barnett’s review of Solo Sikoa’s return, Naomi vs. Bayley for a shot at the WWE Women’s Championship at WWE Bad Blood, Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/09/27/wwe-smackdown-results-9-27-barnetts-review-of-solo-sikoas-return-naomi-vs-bayley-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-womens-championship-at-wwe-bad-blood-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007145023/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/09/27/wwe-smackdown-results-9-27-barnetts-review-of-solo-sikoas-return-naomi-vs-bayley-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-womens-championship-at-wwe-bad-blood-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes/ |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> On the October 25 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes and Andrade’s [[game seven]] match, which was also for a United States Championship opportunity, ended in a no contest after [[special guest referee]] and reigning United States Champion [[LA Knight]] attacked both men, ending their [[Professional wrestling match types#Best of Series match|best-of-seven series match]] at three wins, three losses and one draw each. As a result of Knight’s actions, his title match at [[Crown Jewel (2024)|Crown Jewel]] on November 2 became a triple threat match with Hayes and Andrade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=October 25, 2024 |title=WWE Smackdown results (10/25): Powell’s review of Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles, Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes “game seven” with LA Knight as special referee |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/25/wwe-smackdown-results-10-25-powells-review-of-motor-city-machine-guns-vs-diy-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-tag-team-titles-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes-game-seven-with-la-knight-as-special-refere/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241030194944/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/25/wwe-smackdown-results-10-25-powells-review-of-motor-city-machine-guns-vs-diy-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-tag-team-titles-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes-game-seven-with-la-knight-as-special-refere/ |archive-date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> At the event, Hayes failed to win the title after he was pinned by Knight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=November 2, 2024 |title=WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell’s review of Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes for the Crown Jewel Championship, Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan for the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/02/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-review-of-gunther-vs-cody-rhodes-for-the-crown-jewel-championship-nia-jax-vs-liv-morgan-for-the-womens-crown-jewel-championship/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241114041317/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/02/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-review-of-gunther-vs-cody-rhodes-for-the-crown-jewel-championship-nia-jax-vs-liv-morgan-for-the-womens-crown-jewel-championship/ |archive-date=November 14, 2024 |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> At [[Royal Rumble (2025)|Royal Rumble]] on February 1, 2025, Hayes entered the titular match at #4, but was eliminated by Bron Breakker. Afterwards, Hayes attacked [[Akira Tozawa]], causing him to be replaced in the Royal Rumble match by celebrity entrant [[IShowSpeed]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |title=WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell’s live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens in a ladder match for the WWE Title, DIY vs. MCMG in a best of three falls match for the WWE Tag Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/02/01/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-cody-rhodes-vs-kevin-owens-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-wwe-title-diy-vs-mcmg-in-a-best-of-three-falls-match-for-the-wwe-ta/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |website=Prowrestling.net}}</ref>
At Night 1 of the [[2024 WWE Draft]] on the April 26 episode of ”[[SmackDown]]”, Hayes was drafted to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]] as the third overall draft pick.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Every 2024 WWE Draft pick |url=https://www.wwe.com/article/every-2024-wwe-draft-pick |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430040256/https://www.wwe.com/amp/article/every-2024-wwe-draft-pick |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website= |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> He then challenged [[Undisputed WWE Championship|Undisputed WWE Champion]] [[Cody Rhodes]] to a match as his first opponent as a main roster wrestler, which he lost. Despite the loss, Rhodes showed respect to Hayes.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Quiles |first=Fernando Jr. |date=April 26, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night SmackDown Free Live Stream Results: WWE Draft 2024 Begins, The Bloodline Drama Continues |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-wwe-draft-2024-the-bloodline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427023426/https://www.si.com/wrestling/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-wwe-draft-2024-the-bloodline |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> Hayes participated in the [[King and Queen of the Ring (2024)#King of the Ring tournament|King of the Ring]] tournament and the [[Money in the Bank ladder match]], but did not win either.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=May 17, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (5/17): Barnett’s review of Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax, Bianca Belair vs. Tiffany Stratton, Randy Orton vs. Carmelo Hayes, and Tama Tonga vs. LA Knight in King and Queen of the Ring matches |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/17/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-5-17-barnetts-review-of-jade-cargill-vs-nia-jax-bianca-belair-vs-tiffany-stratton-randy-orton-vs-carmelo-hayes-and-tama-tonga-vs-la-knight-in-king-and-qu/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522170714/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/17/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-5-17-barnetts-review-of-jade-cargill-vs-nia-jax-bianca-belair-vs-tiffany-stratton-randy-orton-vs-carmelo-hayes-and-tama-tonga-vs-la-knight-in-king-and-qu/ |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Connor |date=July 7, 2024 |title=2024 WWE Money in the Bank results, recap, grades: CM Punk thwarts McIntyre again, Solo Sikoa pins Cody Rhodes |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2024-wwe-money-in-the-bank-results-recap-grades-cm-punk-thwarts-mcintyre-again-solo-sikoa-pins-cody-rhodes/live/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713000231/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2024-wwe-money-in-the-bank-results-recap-grades-cm-punk-thwarts-mcintyre-again-solo-sikoa-pins-cody-rhodes/live/ |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=[[CBSSports.com]]}}</ref> After Money in the Bank, Hayes began a feud with fellow Money in the Bank competitor [[Andrade El Idolo|Andrade]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nath |first=Rohit |date=July 13, 2024 |title=Andrade says 29-year-old star is “next” for him after failing to win the Money in the Bank briefcase |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-andrade-says-29-year-old-star-next-failing-win-money-bank-briefcase |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821085254/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-andrade-says-29-year-old-star-next-failing-win-money-bank-briefcase |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[Sportskeeda]]}}</ref> By the end of September, Hayes and Andrade won three matches each against each other.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=September 27, 2024 |title=WWE Smackdown results (9/27): Barnett’s review of Solo Sikoa’s return, Naomi vs. Bayley for a shot at the WWE Women’s Championship at WWE Bad Blood, Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/09/27/wwe-smackdown-results-9-27-barnetts-review-of-solo-sikoas-return-naomi-vs-bayley-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-womens-championship-at-wwe-bad-blood-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007145023/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/09/27/wwe-smackdown-results-9-27-barnetts-review-of-solo-sikoas-return-naomi-vs-bayley-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-womens-championship-at-wwe-bad-blood-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes/ |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> On the October 25 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes and Andrade’s [[game seven]] match, which was also for a United States Championship opportunity, ended in a no contest after [[special guest referee]] and reigning United States Champion [[LA Knight]] attacked both men, ending their [[Professional wrestling match types#Best of Series match|best-of-seven series match]] at three wins, three losses and one draw each. As a result of Knight’s actions, his title match at [[Crown Jewel (2024)|Crown Jewel]] on November 2 became a triple threat match with Hayes and Andrade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=October 25, 2024 |title=WWE Smackdown results (10/25): Powell’s review of Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles, Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes “game seven” with LA Knight as special referee |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/25/wwe-smackdown-results-10-25-powells-review-of-motor-city-machine-guns-vs-diy-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-tag-team-titles-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes-game-seven-with-la-knight-as-special-refere/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241030194944/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/25/wwe-smackdown-results-10-25-powells-review-of-motor-city-machine-guns-vs-diy-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-tag-team-titles-andrade-vs-carmelo-hayes-game-seven-with-la-knight-as-special-refere/ |archive-date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> At the event, Hayes failed to win the title after he was pinned by Knight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=November 2, 2024 |title=WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell’s review of Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes for the Crown Jewel Championship, Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan for the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/02/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-review-of-gunther-vs-cody-rhodes-for-the-crown-jewel-championship-nia-jax-vs-liv-morgan-for-the-womens-crown-jewel-championship/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241114041317/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/02/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-review-of-gunther-vs-cody-rhodes-for-the-crown-jewel-championship-nia-jax-vs-liv-morgan-for-the-womens-crown-jewel-championship/ |archive-date=November 14, 2024 |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> At [[Royal Rumble (2025)|Royal Rumble]] on February 1, 2025, Hayes entered the titular match at #4, but was eliminated by Bron Breakker. Afterwards, Hayes attacked [[Akira Tozawa]], causing him to be replaced in the Royal Rumble match by celebrity entrant [[IShowSpeed]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |title=WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell’s live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens in a ladder match for the WWE Title, DIY vs. MCMG in a best of three falls match for the WWE Tag Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/02/01/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-cody-rhodes-vs-kevin-owens-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-wwe-title-diy-vs-mcmg-in-a-best-of-three-falls-match-for-the-wwe-ta/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |website=Prowrestling.net}}</ref>
On the February 21 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes formed a partnership with [[The Miz]] dubbed “Melo don’t Miz” (a [[portmanteau]] of Hayes’ catchphrase “Melo don’t miss” and The Miz), where they defeated LA Knight and [[R-Truth]] in their first match together.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mueller |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2025 |title=WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades and Highlights From February 21 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25161425-wwe-smackdown-results-winners-live-grades-and-highlights-february-21 |url-status= |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> On the April 18 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes won the [[André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal]], last eliminating Andrade. This was his first main roster accomplishment since joining the brand in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=WWE SmackDown live results: WrestleMania SmackDown |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-wrestlemania-go-home-show/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref> On September 16, at ”[[List of WWE NXT special episodes#2025|NXT Homecoming]]”, “Trick-Melo Gang” reunited for one-night only, defeating [[DIY (professional wrestling)|#DIY]] ([[Johnny Gargano]] and [[Tommaso Ciampa]]) with the help of The Miz.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/09/16/nxt-homecoming-results-9-16-moores-review-of-diy-vs-trick-williams-and-carmelo-hayes-fatal-influence-vs-rhea-ripley-stephanie-vaquer-and-lyra-valkyria/|title=NXT Homecoming results (9/16): Moore’s review of DIY vs. Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes, Fatal Influence vs. Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer, and Lyra Valkyria|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|last=Moore|first=John|date=September 16, 2025}}</ref> On the September 26 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes and The Miz lost a [[tag team match]] against the [[Street Profits]] ([[Angelo Dawkins]] and [[Montez Ford]]), after Miz tried to take the glory and tag himself in, but was cut off by Hayes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/street-profits-earn-wwe-tag-team-title-shot-on-wwe-smackdown/|title=Street Profits Earn WWE Tag Team Title Shot On WWE SmackDown|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|website=fightful.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004154202/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/street-profits-earn-wwe-tag-team-title-shot-on-wwe-smackdown/|archive-date=October 4, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week on ”SmackDown”, Hayes was attacked by The Miz as he was about to accept [[WWE United States Championship|United States Champion]] [[Sami Zayn]]’s open challenge for the title, disbanding Melo don’t Miz and turning Hayes [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] for the first time since 2023.<ref>{{cite web|first=Shakiel|last=Mahjouri|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-live-results-recap-grades-as-cody-rhodes-and-randy-orton-battle-the-vision/live/|title=WWE SmackDown live results, recap, grades as Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton battle The Vision|date=October 4, 2025|website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> Hayes cemented his face turn the October 17 episode of ”SmackDown” by attacking The Miz as he was about to accept Sami Zayn’s United States Championship open challenge.<ref>{{cite web|first=Arda|last=Ocal|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/46630784/wwe-smackdown-highlights-ilja-dragunov-back-more-aggressive-cody-rhodes-dq-jacob-fatu-injured|title=WWE ‘SmackDown’ highlights: Dragunov returns, Rhodes DQ, more|date=October 18, 2025|access-date=October 21, 2025|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
On the February 21 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes formed a partnership with [[The Miz]] dubbed “Melo don’t Miz” (a [[portmanteau]] of Hayes’ catchphrase “Melo don’t miss” and The Miz), where they defeated LA Knight and [[R-Truth]] in their first match together.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mueller |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2025 |title=WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades and Highlights From February 21 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25161425-wwe-smackdown-results-winners-live-grades-and-highlights-february-21 |url-status= |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> On the April 18 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes won the [[André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal]], last eliminating Andrade. This was his first main roster accomplishment since joining the brand in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=WWE SmackDown live results: WrestleMania SmackDown |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-wrestlemania-go-home-show/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref> On September 16, at ”[[List of WWE NXT special episodes#2025|NXT Homecoming]]”, “Trick-Melo Gang” reunited for one-night only, defeating [[DIY (professional wrestling)|#DIY]] ([[Johnny Gargano]] and [[Tommaso Ciampa]]) with the help of The Miz.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/09/16/nxt-homecoming-results-9-16-moores-review-of-diy-vs-trick-williams-and-carmelo-hayes-fatal-influence-vs-rhea-ripley-stephanie-vaquer-and-lyra-valkyria/|title=NXT Homecoming results (9/16): Moore’s review of DIY vs. Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes, Fatal Influence vs. Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer, and Lyra Valkyria|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|last=Moore|first=John|date=September 16, 2025}}</ref> On the September 26 episode of ”SmackDown”, Hayes and The Miz lost a [[tag team match]] against the [[Street Profits]] ([[Angelo Dawkins]] and [[Montez Ford]]), after Miz tried to take the glory and tag himself in, but was cut off by Hayes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/street-profits-earn-wwe-tag-team-title-shot-on-wwe-smackdown/|title=Street Profits Earn WWE Tag Team Title Shot On WWE SmackDown|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|website=fightful.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004154202/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/street-profits-earn-wwe-tag-team-title-shot-on-wwe-smackdown/|archive-date=October 4, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week on ”SmackDown”, Hayes was attacked by The Miz as he was about to accept [[WWE United States Championship|United States Champion]] [[Sami Zayn]]’s open challenge for the title, disbanding Melo don’t Miz and turning Hayes [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] for the first time since 2023.<ref>{{cite web|first=Shakiel|last=Mahjouri|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-live-results-recap-grades-as-cody-rhodes-and-randy-orton-battle-the-vision/live/|title=WWE SmackDown live results, recap, grades as Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton battle The Vision|date=October 4, 2025|website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> Hayes cemented his face turn the October 17 episode of ”SmackDown” by attacking The Miz as he was about to accept Sami Zayn’s United States Championship open challenge.<ref>{{cite web|first=Arda|last=Ocal|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/46630784/wwe-smackdown-highlights-ilja-dragunov-back-more-aggressive-cody-rhodes-dq-jacob-fatu-injured|title=WWE ‘SmackDown’ highlights: Dragunov returns, Rhodes DQ, more|date=October 18, 2025|access-date=October 21, 2025|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
