Why Carmelo Hayes Is Destined for WWE Stardom
Carmelo Hayes is one of WWE’s brightest young stars. From NXT glory to SmackDown success, discover why his future looks limitless
Imag Credit: Diego Serrano
Talent is abundant on the WWE roster right now. Whether it’s Raw, SmackDown, or NXT, WWE has some truly sensational performers. More recently, those young talents have been featured in high-profile storylines and given tremendous opportunities. One of these wrestlers is Carmelo Hayes, who recently won the United States Championship and truly looks like one of the company’s next big stars.
Carmelo Hayes’ journey
Hayes’ professional wrestling journey began over a decade ago, with foundational training at the New England Pro Wrestling Academy and further development at the WWE Performance Centre. His early career on the independent circuit as Christian Casanova saw him winning numerous titles, including the Limitless World Championship, and gaining invaluable experience. His dedication and stellar matches set the stage for his WWE debut, making his rise to stardom a story of perseverance and talent that fans can truly get behind.
He signed with WWE in 2021. It didn’t take long for Hayes to make an impact, as he won the NXT Breakout Tournament that same year. He would go on to capture the Cruiserweight Championship, North American Championship, and NXT Championship. Hayes defeated Bron Breakker to win the latter in a high-profile feud that marked both men as future stars. Battles with Trick Williams, Ricochet, and Johnny Gargano defined Hayes’ rise, each contest reinforcing his status as one of NXT’s finest. From there, the next step was inevitable as he transitioned to SmackDown.
Hayes has been a consistent presence on the blue brand, being involved in storylines with the likes of The Miz. December 2025 marked a significant milestone in his WWE career. A win over Ilja Dragunov marked his first singles title on the roster, giving him a high-profile platform to showcase the best of his abilities. It will be fascinating to see what 2026 has in store for Hayes.
Has the makings of a top WWE star
Hayes is the whole package: charismatic, athletic, and knows how to connect with the crowd. He has done an excellent job as both a heel and a babyface. Known for his high-flying ability that gets fans out of their seats time and again, he has shown that he can work with everybody he steps into the ring with and never has a boring match. Hayes’ work on the mic has been exceptional, and at the moment he looks like the complete performer. His recent run on SmackDown has been impressive, following a two fantastic matchs with Dragunov and Gargano. It definitely looks like he’s set for big things in WWE.
What’s next
With gold around his waist, Hayes now turns his attention to building a dominant United States Championship run. If his past is any guide, more show-stealing performances are sure to follow. Looking towards the future, we could see the former NXT Champion reignite his feud with Williams on the main roster, and he will be looking to get into the main title picture sooner rather than later. You could definitely see him having tremendous matches with the likes of Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn. When considering the next Money in the Bank winner, it is plausible to see Hayes holding the briefcase. Whatever the future holds for him, you know he’s going to make it special.
Hayes’ ability feels limitless, the kind that belongs on wrestling’s biggest stage. With momentum firmly on his side heading into 2026, the year ahead could shape his legacy.
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