Carmelo Hayes captured his first singles championship on WWE’s main roster in December 2025, nearly two years after joining the SmackDown brand in January 2024. His journey to that achievement was marked by challenges as he adjusted from dominating smaller promotions to being one voice among many elite competitors. Hayes described his transition as going from a
“big fish in a small pond”
to a “little minnow” navigating an “ocean of sharks.” This shift was not due to doubts about his wrestling skills but rather adapting to the different environment and dynamics of WWE’s main roster.
Adjusting to the Competitive Environment of WWE’s SmackDown Brand
In a detailed conversation on the Beyond The Bell podcast, Hayes shared insights about his experience moving from NXT to SmackDown. He emphasized that being granted opportunities—getting “the ball”—was crucial to proving his worth at the higher level. Hayes pointed out that his accomplishments in NXT laid the groundwork for his current run, but it was the timing and chance on the main stage that truly mattered.
The adjustment from being in a small pond and being a big fish to going into an ocean of sharks and being just a little minnow and trying to navigate those waters, it was very challenging. Not so much so like the wrestling part of it because obviously, I can do the wrestling part. But like, just the way it works. It’s just a different game. I will say that winning all of those things and being the guy over there helped me get into this position where I’m like, okay, all you got to do is give me the ball, I know what I can do with it. It’s not a matter of if I can, it’s just a matter of when the time is right. Like, I’ve done it here and now let’s see if I can do it here. I think that now with this United States Championship, I’m showing that I was exactly who I said I was in NXT here on the main roster, which was a question that people weren’t sure if it was going to translate. Like I said, all I needed was the ball.
— Carmelo Hayes, Wrestler
Looking Ahead: Targeting Matches and New Opportunities
Hayes also expressed a strong interest in facing CM Punk, confident in his abilities to stand out in such a high-profile match. While fans eagerly await potential future showdowns, Hayes remains focused on maximizing his current trajectory, leveraging the opportunities now available to him on SmackDown.
As the holder of the United States Championship, Hayes is demonstrating that his skill set from NXT is effectively translating to stronger performances on the main roster, helping him solidify his standing among WWE’s top talents.
Continued Relevance in WWE’s Evolving Storylines
Hayes’ progression reflects WWE’s broader talent development approach, where proving oneself over time leads to main event opportunities. His challenges adapting to WWE’s “different game” underscore the intense competition and complex backstage dynamics wrestlers face. This transition phase is crucial not only for Hayes but for other emerging stars working to cement their place amid established names such as Roman Reigns and rising competitors like Bear Bronson and Raquel Rodriguez.
With an active SmackDown roster and notable rivalries forming, Hayes’ journey remains a focal point for fans and analysts monitoring WWE’s evolving narratives. His success and ability to “navigate those waters” may influence how future promotions evaluate new talent transitioning from NXT.
