During the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, United States Champion Carmelo Hayes responded to CM Punk’s challenge by asserting he would ‘run circles’ around Punk in a potential match. This exchange highlights ongoing tensions and upcoming rivalries within WWE as both stars aim to solidify their legacies.
Carmelo Hayes Reacts to CM Punk’s Royal Rumble Call-Out
At the Royal Rumble event, CM Punk publicly called out Carmelo Hayes, noting that Punk needed to win the United States Championship to complete his Grand Slam achievement. Hayes later addressed this challenge on the Beyond The Bell Podcast, expressing eagerness for a match while confidently claiming his current momentum gives him the edge.
Hayes shared,
“Yeah I definitely wanna wrestle CM Punk, I made a joke on Twitter though that if we do it’s gotta be winner takes all. Punk, he’s actually a guy man, I’ve been watching him since I was a kid, so I’ve looked up to CM Punk and he’s been a mentor to a lot of the younger guys backstage, despite what people wanna say, he’s always been a mentor to a lot of us, and he’s always excited to see us have our first moments.”
– Carmelo Hayes
Respect and Rivalry: Hayes Reflects on Punk’s Role
Though confident about the in-ring contest, Hayes emphasized the respect he holds for Punk, recalling a poignant moment when Punk showed pride after Hayes won his title. Hayes remarked on Punk’s supportive nature backstage and his genuine investment in helping younger talent advance in their careers.
He recalled,
“I remember when I won the title, he was in Gorilla with a tear in his eye. I couldn’t believe it, like why do you care so much, but I think just him seeing other people have these accomplishments for the first time, and remembering where he was when he had his first accomplishment, it’s just very cool that he’s like that.”
– Carmelo Hayes
Confidence in Current Form Spurs Bold Claims
Though praising Punk’s skills, Hayes believes he possesses an advantage driven by his current form and in-ring style. Confident about a future confrontation, Hayes challenged Punk to raise the intensity and noted that he believed his title reign currently surpassed Punk’s ongoing run.
He asserted,
“As far as getting in the ring with him, I’d probably run circles around him honestly. I think CM Punk’s a great in-ring performer, but I don’t think he’s ready for what I got. I’m just going right now, week to week to week with it. I’m very much so looking forward to that match, and I challenge CM Punk to really bring the heat man. He’s on a roll too and he’s having a great title reign, but we can go title reign for title reign and I don’t think he’s touching Melo.”
– Carmelo Hayes
Upcoming High-Stakes Matches Elevate Storylines
With CM Punk scheduled to headline WrestleMania 42 in April, facing Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship after his Royal Rumble win, tensions are rising in WWE’s main event scene. Hayes’ challenge adds another potential marquee matchup as the wrestling world anticipates how these rivalries will unfold.
These interactions signal heightened competition among WWE’s top talents, with Carmelo Hayes stepping forward to prove he can match or exceed the legacy of established stars like CM Punk. Fans and insiders alike will be keen to see if Hayes’ confidence translates to dominance inside the ring and how Punk will respond to this rising challenge.
