Carmelo Hayes, a notable WWE talent, has expressed frustration about his underuse on the SmackDown brand despite his established reputation. Since the WWE Draft in April 2024, where Hayes was selected as a first-round pick, fans and insiders have expected his rise as a main roster star, yet meaningful opportunities have remained scarce.
Hayes’s career highlights include rivalries on SmackDown with competitors like Andrade and a partnership with The Miz, but major event appearances have been few. Notably, Hayes did not compete at marquee shows such as WrestleMania 41 or SummerSlam 2024, a surprising omission given his accomplishments. His victory in the Andre The Giant Battle Royal shortly before WrestleMania, while notable, has not been widely celebrated, fueling growing questions about WWE’s plans for him.
The Challenge of Standing Out Amid WWE’s Crowded Roster
The current WWE roster is highly competitive, featuring numerous talented performers vying for limited screen time. This depth means many wrestlers, including Carmelo Hayes, often find themselves on the sidelines awaiting their moments to shine. Despite widespread fan support advocating for greater involvement, Hayes’s push has been restrained, hindering his momentum on the main brand.
Hayes’s comparable peer from NXT, Bron Breakker, has flourished on Raw, which only highlights Hayes’s struggles for substantial booking on SmackDown. His status as a former NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion underscores his credentials, making his underutilization all the more glaring to observers.
Carmelo Hayes Publicly Requests More Role and Recognition
The frustration culminated in a direct message from Hayes on social media, where he urged WWE to offer him more opportunities to showcase his abilities. His confidence in his talent was clear but met with uncertainty about whether the company is prepared to “pass him the ball.”
This public callout illustrates Hayes’s eagerness to advance his WWE career and signals growing tension between him and the promotion regarding his creative direction and match time.
Context: WWE’s Mixed Usage of Top Talent and Industry Reactions
WWE’s main roster stars receive varied treatment, and this environment has prompted criticism from multiple corners. For example, Paul Heyman recently criticized the Emmy Awards for neglecting Roman Reigns‘s significant contributions to WWE storytelling. Meanwhile, Karrion Kross disputed inaccurate speculation about his WWE status, and The Undertaker voiced concerns about the company’s slipping standards, indicating broader dissatisfaction with WWE’s management of talent and programming.
Such voices reveal ongoing unease among wrestling personalities and fans alike, reflecting wider debates about the creative direction of WWE and its handling of established stars and emerging talent like Carmelo Hayes.
Looking Ahead: What Carmelo Hayes’s Situation Signals for WWE and Its Roster
Hayes’s public frustration may pressure WWE to reconsider how it deploys promising wrestlers on its main roster. As a proven star with a strong NXT track record, his potential remains underleveraged, possibly affecting morale and fan engagement. If WWE responds constructively, Hayes could soon see a more prominent role, but if the status quo persists, his frustration may continue to grow.
The evolving dynamic between WWE and Carmelo Hayes also reflects larger issues within the promotion’s talent management amid a historically deep roster. How the company addresses these challenges will influence future storytelling, talent morale, and audience satisfaction.
