Overview
- Rey Fenix answered the open challenge on the Royal Rumble go-home edition of SmackDown and fell to Hayes.
- The victory gives Hayes five consecutive title defenses since capturing the championship on Dec. 26, 2025.
- Hayes has previously turned back challenges from Johnny Gargano, Shinsuke Nakamura, TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater and Ilja Dragunov.
- Fenix controlled stretches of the match before Hayes sealed the finish with a First 48 followed by Nothing but Net.
- WWE has not announced whether Hayes will compete in the men's Royal Rumble match.