Carmelo Hayes is a swimmer.
Former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes moved to the main roster in the 2024 WWE Draft, as he was selected by SmackDown. On his first night on the blue brand, he faced Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Hayes has mixed it up with a number of stars since then, including Randy Orton. He will have a major opportunity at WWE Money in the Bank, as he will compete in the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Speaking with CBS Sports' Shakiel Mahjouri, Carmelo Hayes discussed getting tossed into the deep end on SmackDown.
“I’d be lying if I said it felt new because I feel like they did the same thing when I got to NXT. They immediately put me up against KUSHIDA for the Cruiserweight Championship, put me against Adam Cole, and put me in the Breakout Tournament. I’ve been put in these high-pressure and sink-or-swim situations for as long as I can remember. I’ve proven every time that I’m a swimmer and I’m worth the opportunities," Hayes said.
Hayes went on to recall how he thanked Triple H for trusting him by putting him in a match with Randy Orton. He also looked back on facing Cody Rhodes and noted that the opportunity showed that the company trusted him.
“I’m thinking, ‘Let me prove them right.’ I remember after working with Randy, I told Hunter, ‘Thank you for trusting me,’ and he said, ‘Well, of course. What do you mean? You’re here now and you’re in the mix.’ That was reassuring but at the same time to put me in the mix with the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes coming off the high of dethroning Roman Reigns and me being the first person he’s in the ring with is a huge trust. I wanted to prove I am of that caliber and I was the right guy. I was going to get in there and put on a quality match with the WWE champion and even in defeat look good," Hayes said.
Hayes then described how reintroducing himself to a new audience is part of the business. He highlighted how he has learned to adapt. Hayes explained that some fans may not be familiar with his NXT run.
“Reintroducing myself to a new audience is something you have to accept. I’ve been fortunate enough to go to Scotland, France, and Saudi Arabia. Even in Chicago, you’re going to new places where people don’t know who you are. They’re not familiar with NXT in a lot of places. There are a lot of casual fans so when you come out, the reaction is mixed. Learning how to adapt to that. At one point, you’re the top guy in NXT, and everyone knows who you are. They know your story and they know everything about you. They know your highs and lows. They’re connected. Now going into all these new venues and situations, you’re going up against their favorites. They’re thinking, ‘Who is this guy? They’re going to make quick work of this guy. He’s a nobody.’ Little do they know, I’ve accomplished a lot to get to this point," Hayes said.
Hayes recently said he would invite the Wyatt Sicks to take Chad Gable out of the Money in the Bank match. Check out his comments here.
Fightful will have coverage of WWE Money in the Bank as it airs on July 6.
Thanks to Shakiel Mahjouri for sharing the quotes in this article.
