Carmelo Hayes appeared to be on the fast track to a key role at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, but just weeks before the grand event, he lost his Men’s United States Championship and, with it, his chance to make a high-profile appearance at Allegiant Stadium.
This unexpected turn of events unfolded on the March 27 edition of SmackDown, when Hayes dropped his title to Sami Zayn, courtesy of outside interference from his long-time associate, Trick Williams.
A Lost Opportunity: Hayes’ Shocking Championship Loss
Carmelo Hayes had been cruising toward what seemed like a natural progression for WrestleMania, with many speculating he would be part of a triple-threat match for the Men’s U.S. Title. His betrayal by Trick Williams, however, derailed those plans.
Given their history, the idea of a triple-threat involving Hayes, Zayn, and Williams made perfect sense. Yet, WWE opted for a different direction, leaving Hayes out of the WrestleMania spotlight.
After losing the title, Trick Williams went on to capture his first championship on the main roster by defeating Sami Zayn in a singles match the following weekend, while Hayes was left to watch from the sidelines.
Carmelo Hayes Opens Up About Missing WrestleMania
Ahead of WrestleMania, Carmelo Hayes was made available to the media and shared his honest thoughts on missing the event. In an interview with Michael Fairman, Hayes described the emotional toll of being left off the card.
“It sucked, it definitely sucked and it was heartbreaking,” Melo admitted. “It felt like I ran the race. I was so close to just throwing my arms up and crossing the finish line, and then I got kind of sidestepped a little bit.”
The frustration was understandable, as Hayes had enjoyed a remarkable 98-day reign as Men’s United States Champion after defeating Ilja Dragunov in December. His matches against the likes of Johnny Gargano, Shinsuke Nakamura, Leon Slater, and Rey Fenix were among the best WWE had to offer on a weekly basis.
Resilience in the Face of Disappointment
Despite the setback, Carmelo Hayes refused to dwell on the disappointment. He emphasized his professionalism and commitment to his craft, stating, “At the end of the day, I’m a pro. I show up to work, what they need from me, I do it and I go above and beyond no matter what every time.”
Acknowledging the bitterness of missing out on WrestleMania, Hayes added, “It wasn’t a personal thing. It wasn’t a me thing…. It’s not something that I’m gonna sit here and go, ‘Oh, woe is me.’ I don’t move like that. I had a day or two where I was like, ‘What the hell?’ Then after that I was like, ‘You know what? Back to work man.’ There’s just a chip on my shoulder, and watch what’s going to happen now.”
This resilience and determination to push forward only adds to the anticipation of what’s next for Carmelo Hayes in WWE.
A Similar Struggle: Tiffany Stratton Misses WrestleMania 42
Carmelo Hayes was far from the only talent to feel the sting of being left off the WrestleMania card this year. Tiffany Stratton, who had entered WrestleMania 41 as the WWE Women’s Champion, expressed similar feelings of disappointment after missing the event.
Stratton’s exclusion from WrestleMania 42 led her to refocus on her career, starting with a strong victory over Giulia to become the new Women’s United States Champion. Her successful title win marked the beginning of her journey toward WrestleMania 43, where she hopes to secure a spot on the biggest stage of them all in Saudi Arabia next year.
A Year of Redemption for Carmelo Hayes
While Carmelo Hayes may have been left off WrestleMania 42, his story is far from over. The fire in his belly and the chip on his shoulder are clear indicators that he will be ready to seize whatever opportunity comes next.
His 98-day reign as the U.S. Champion, coupled with his resilience and professionalism, proves that he’s a force to be reckoned with in WWE. For Hayes, the road to WrestleMania 43—and perhaps even a redemption arc—has only just begun.
