<pCarmelo Hayes, the former NXT Champion, has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of meaningful opportunities since his move to WWE’s main roster, specifically SmackDown. Despite his successful tenure in NXT and fan excitement following his brand draft last year, Hayes has yet to be involved in major storylines or win a title, prompting him to call on WWE to “pass him the ball.”
After a standout run in NXT that raised expectations for his future on the main roster, Hayes has struggled to find the same level of prominence. Fans have noticed his underuse and created a trending social media campaign called WeWantMelo demanding that WWE give him bigger chances, a movement that has also caught Hayes’s attention.
Reflecting On His First Year, Hayes Highlights Growth Beyond Championship Wins
Celebrating one year since joining WWE’s main roster this April, Carmelo Hayes shared a reflective message on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that he measures success differently than most. While titles and match victories often serve as standard benchmarks, Hayes focused on the experiences and growth he has gained throughout the year.
He highlighted his ability to “steal the show” during matches and praised the high-quality opponents he has faced, including over ten contests against the WWE Champion. Hayes spoke about traveling extensively and learning directly from WWE legends and future Hall of Famers, viewing these experiences as core elements of his success.
“Regardless of what was expected or not this year, I never measured my success on Championships or winning matches. When I got the ball it was a first down or touchdown. Stole the show and had banger matches with anyone and everyone. Traveled the world and honed my craft against the best. Wrestled the WWE Champion 10+ times and got to work and learn from legends and future hall of famers. Im winning in every way possible. I killed s**t this year and was drafted first for a reason. You can’t deny what won’t be denied. Haven’t even started cooking yet. #Happy1Year #Marathon”
— Carmelo Hayes, WWE Superstar
Fan Support Grows As Hayes Awaits Greater WWE Spotlight
Despite his own contentment with personal growth during his first year, the calls for Carmelo Hayes to receive a bigger platform within WWE continue to intensify. The WeWantMelo movement represents a broad desire among fans for him to be entrusted with more significant storylines and championship opportunities.
As Hayes challenger WWE to “pass him the ball,” the wrestling community is closely watching whether management will grant him the chance to fully realize his potential. The next few weeks may prove pivotal in determining Carmelo Hayes’s trajectory on SmackDown and in WWE overall.
