4-time champion reflects on WWE's "huge trust" by pitting him against Cody Rhodes on SmackDown
Cody Rhodes' first match as Undisputed WWE Champion on TV was on the April 26, 2024, episode of Friday Night SmackDown. His opponent was a one-time NXT Champion, a two-time North American Champion, and a one-time Cruiserweight Champion, Carmelo Hayes, and now the star has commented on the high-pressure match.
Carmelo Hayes was drafted to SmackDown on Night One of the WWE Draft 2024. The 29-year-old faced The American Nightmare on his official main roster debut night and showcased an incredible performance. However, Rhodes secured the win over the young star.
Melo is set to face a stacked field of opponents, including Drew McIntyre, Chad Gable, LA Knight, Andrade, and Jey Uso, in the upcoming Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match on July 6. In a recent interview with CBS Sports' Shakiel Mahjouri, the former NXT Champion discussed how he handles the pressure of such a high-stakes match.
Carmelo Hayes mentioned that every time the Stamford-based promotion has put him in a do-or-die situation, he has proven he's worth the opportunities. The former NXT star claimed that the company showed a serious vote of confidence in him when the creative team booked him as the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes' first opponent on TV.
"To put me against Cody Rhodes; he's the WWE Champion; he just came off the high of dethroning Roman Reigns, and me being the first person he's in the ring with is a huge trust. I wanted to prove I was of that caliber, and I was the right guy," Hayes said. (3:09-3:27)
Watch the full interview below:
Wrestling veteran says Cody Rhodes and team will be attacked after their match at WWE Money in the Bank
Randy Orton and Kevin Owens will join forces with The American Nightmare to take on The Bloodline at the WWE Money in the Bank Premium Live Event in Toronto, Canada, this weekend.
On Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine podcast, hosted by Mac Davis, Bill Apter predicted the probable events of the match. The Hall of Famer journalist noted that while Jacob Fatu may not be a part of the match, he could ambush the babyfaces after the match.
"What I predict is [that], again, Cody and his team are going to win, but Jacob Fatu is gonna go maniacally crazy after that match and injure them and leave them lying. That's what I think is gonna happen," Apter said.
Check out the video below:
It remains to be seen if The Samoan Werewolf will make his in-ring debut for the Stamford-based promotion at the MITB PLE.