Shawn Michaels and Triple H instructed followers precisely how extremely they considered Carmelo Hayes in simply his second match in 2021. Hayes channeled John Cena’s iconic 2002 WWE debut, touting “ruthless aggression” and slapping former NXT champion Adam Cole within the face.
“I keep in mind they hated it after I first did it…” Hayes instructed CBS Sports activities. “I used to be a little hesitant to do one thing that is already been precisely carried out. It is such an iconic second.
“I keep in mind Shawn tweeting one thing like, ‘It labored out for the final man.'”
Tethering a brand new signee to a famous person of Cena’s ilk is a big gamble, however WWE brass proceed to place their chips behind Hayes. He was chosen No. 3 total within the 2024 WWE Draft and can compete towards fundamental occasion points of interest like Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso within the Cash within the Financial institution ladder match on July 6. He beforehand superior to the quarterfinals of the King of the Ring Event and is concerned in a high-profile United States title rivalry between Logan Paul and LA Knight — all in 9 weeks.
“I would be mendacity if I stated it felt new as a result of I really feel like they did the identical factor after I acquired to NXT,” Hayes stated. “They instantly put me up towards Kushida for the cruiserweight championship, put me towards Adam Cole, and put me within the Breakout Event.
“I have been put in these high-pressure and sink-or-swim conditions for so long as I can keep in mind. I’ve confirmed each time that I am a swimmer and I am definitely worth the alternatives.”
The Ruthless Aggression redux wasn’t the one time WWE would draw a direct hyperlink between Hayes and a high performer. Hayes’ first match as a fundamental roster famous person happened on April 26, the evening of the draft, towards undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes in the primary occasion of SmackDown. It did not signify a direct fundamental occasion run however was a critical vote of confidence.
“To place me within the combine with the WWE champion Cody Rhodes coming off the excessive of dethroning Roman Reigns [at WrestleMania 40] and me being the primary particular person he is within the ring with is a large belief,” Hayes stated. “I needed to show I used to be of that caliber and I used to be the suitable man. I used to be going to get in there and placed on a high quality match with the WWE champion and even in defeat look good.”
Hayes is sweet, a top-notch athlete with sufficient confidence to fill a Brink’s truck stuffed with Cash within the Financial institution briefcases. However he isn’t good. It is common for expertise to slide up on the microphone or within the ring throughout dwell tv. Others concerned in a match or section typically attempt to masks the error. That was not the case throughout a backstage promo between Hayes and Knight. Hayes harmlessly blended up Paul and Knight’s names. “Why would LA wish to face you?” Hayes instructed Knight. “Effectively if I confronted myself, I would be wanting within the mirror,” Knight retorted. “You are speaking about Logan, proper? Let’s get it proper!”
“Folks have been roasting me,” Hayes instructed CBS Sports activities.
“He is fast. He is waiting for issues. It is what it was. I am not good bro… We have been laughing about it. It was what it was.”
Take a look at the complete interview with Carmelo Hayes beneath.
It was a smaller reminder of how fierce the primary roster competitors is. Hayes is swimming with the sharks now. He is already had a pair of matches towards surefire Corridor of Famer Randy Orton, most just lately defeating Orton and Tama Tonga to qualify for Saturday’s pay-per-view. The NXT Breakout Event winner is not an enormous fish within the smaller NXT pond. It is a problem he welcomes.
“Reintroducing myself to a brand new viewers is one thing it’s important to settle for,” Hayes stated. “I have been lucky sufficient to go to Scotland, France and Saudi Arabia. Even in Chicago, you are going to new locations the place individuals do not know who you’re. They don’t seem to be conversant in NXT in numerous locations. There are numerous informal followers so whenever you come out, the response is blended.
“At one level you are the highest man in NXT and everybody is aware of who you’re. They know your story they usually know every thing about you. They know your highs and lows. They’re related. Now going into all these new venues and conditions, you are going up towards their favorites. They’re pondering, ‘Who is that this man? They’ll make fast work of this man. He is a no person.’ Little do they know, I’ve completed quite a bit to get up to now.”
