For former South Carolina football player Matrick Belton, being a wrestling star may not have always been how he thought things would pan out. But following a thrilling victory in WrestleMania 42, things are going well for Belton, who goes by Trick Williams in the WWE.
On Sunday evening, the former Gamecock wide receiver took home the United States championship, defeating Sami Zayn for his first WWE title in his career history. Williams got the win alongside rapper Little Yachty:
TRICK WILLIAMS IS THE NEW UNITED STATES CHAMPION!!! 🇺🇸 @_trickwilliams
— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026
Stream #WrestleMania LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn app!
➡️ https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/Gp00mwPJVw
Williams signed with WWE in 2021, and won the TNA World Championship at NXT Battleground in May 2024. He also won three WWE NXT titles and was named the WWE NXT North American Champion in 2023.
WWE star Trick Williams reveals how he walked on for Steve Spurrier
“I just feel like you never know how the people are really going to read you," Williams said on ESPN's Sportscenter via 411 Mania. "You can’t plan this. You can’t say I did this, I did that, man. I’m grateful for how the crowd has responded to me. I just came in with the mindset, I’m going to prove myself. I’m going to work hard. I’mma keep my mouth shut and do my talking out there inside the ring. And that’s why I thank God every single day. I call myself the Anointed One for a reason because he wanted me to be here. So I’m gonna be right here.”
Williams walked on at South Carolina, and played for the Gamecocks from 2014-16. He went undrafted in 2017, and worked various jobs before signing on to the WWE five years ago.
Congrats to Williams on his first U.S. title!
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