Carmelo Hayes ready to show he's the future of WWE: 'It's time to kill him'

If you think you’ve seen the best of Carmelo Hayes, he’ll be happy to let you know you’re wrong.

“It’s not even my final form,” Hayes told USA TODAY Sports.

He’s done almost everything a star could do in WWE’s developmental brand, NXT; he won the NXT Championship, was a two-time North American Champion, and main evented Stand and Deliver 2024 alongside Trick Williams, becoming the first time two black men main evented a NXT premium live event.

All the accolades prove why it was a no-brainer for him to be a first-round pick in the 2024 WWE Draft. Not only did it put him on SmackDown and officially elevate him to the main roster, but he also became the first NXT star to be a first-round pick in draft history. Now he says he’s ready to show why he’s wrestling’s next big star as WWE enters a new era under the leadership of Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

“It’s time to show everyone what I’ve done,” Hayes said. “It’s time to kill him.” It’s time to make a statement. It’s time to let people know why I’m the first round pick. Why am I presented in this light? Why Melo doesn’t miss.

Start off strong while continuing to learn

When it comes to making a statement right off the bat, there aren’t many ways to be more impressive than what Hayes did. Moments after being selected to the SmackDown roster, Hayes challenged the new undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes.

Hayes ended up falling to the champion, but his match was widely considered a fantastic start to his promotion. Not only did he show promise, but it was akin to John Cena’s debut in 2002 when he challenged a major star, Kurt Angle, from the start. Even though Cena also lost, it paved the way for one of the best wrestling careers in WWE history. So even though Hayes was defeated, he believes he set a precedent for what is possible.

“I feel like I’ve said a lot about what I have to offer on SmackDown and what I bring to the table,” he said. “What better way to test my skills and see where I stand than to go up against the guy who holds the top prize in WWE.”

After the match, Hayes sat in the ring, aware that this was a whole new ball game on the big stage. But what helped solidify Hayes’ potential was when Rhodes talked to him about being on the right track.

“He kind of told me, ‘You’re on the right track, but you kind of have to do things a little differently here.’ It’s a different game,” Hayes said.

Hayes won’t disagree with Rhodes about changing his approach on the main roster. That was actually what he was thinking after the loss before talking to her. The match gave him insight into “what to expect” in a competition.

For someone who carries so much swagger, charisma and accolades, it’s easy to assume that Hayes would think he knows how to carry himself and rise to the top of wrestling. But it is far from being the case. Even though he was able to “check every box” in NXT, he longs for the opportunity to continue learning.

“I’m still learning and I think the biggest learning curve is yet to come,” Hayes said. “I still have a way to go. People can become complacent and get comfortable, but that’s never been how I’ve operated. I am open to the challenge of learning.

“I think I know a lot, but I don’t know everything.”

Consider his match with Rhodes his first lesson, and he’ll take any learning opportunity he can get from any veteran on the roster. He’s also not afraid to take shots at these veterans to get those opportunities. He’s already traded blows with Bobby Lashley, making fans want a showdown between the two already.

What’s next for Carmelo Hayes?

Although Hayes doesn’t think he’s fully prepared for his new reality, there are several opportunities for him to solidify himself as a rising star. He will compete in the 2024 King of the Ring tournament with his first round match taking place on Friday, and he sees this as just the first accolade he can claim.

He has already emerged as a popular choice to win the tournament, but if he ends up wearing the crown in the final on May 25, it could open up several avenues for him to propel his career. Every WWE star has a goal of winning the top title, but Hayes wants to take a slow approach to competing for the WWE Championship.

“There are a lot of little steps I want to accomplish,” he said. “I would like to build up my stock a little more before going down this path again.”

There are several other stars who deserve to compete in main event matches at premium live events, and while Hayes acknowledges there are people ahead of him in the queue, he doesn’t think being far from being a No. 1 contender.

No matter the time, Hayes sees himself remaining on the main roster for years to come. Every time an NXT star gets called up, there’s a fear that they won’t get opportunities and end up being just another name on the roster. According to him, Hayes considers himself one of the best actors of the “next generation” of stars who will carry the company.

The leaders of this next generation, according to Hayes, are him, Bron Breakker and Ilja Dragunov, all guys who have recently been called up to the main roster. He also mentioned others like Solo Sikoa and WWE Tag Team Champions in Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.

“WWE is very focused on the future right now,” he said. “You need this next harvest. This is why I am so convinced that this era is what is needed for the future. We’re going to be the guys that carry WWE for the next 10 years.

It’s a bold statement, but it’s nothing new from Hayes. He knows he’s destined for stardom and he’s not afraid to let everyone know it. So what else does Hayes want people to know about him? Well, that’s where the discussion ends.

“I wouldn’t tell them anything. I’ll just show them,” he said.