WWE are reportedly considering a major babyface turn for a SmackDown star who has yet to receive a significant push since arriving on the main roster.
Triple H is always looking to find the next breakout star, and while NXT gives prospects opportunities to impress, the same can’t be said for some who receive call-ups and arrive on RAW or SmackDown. It seems as though the chief content officer is ready to put his faith in a former NXT Champion.
WWE SmackDown Star In Line For Face Turn
The WWE Draft can often help propel NXT stars to superstardom if they are booked correctly once drafted onto the main roster. Bron Breakker is a perfect example of using a call-up effectively, as he has gradually grown into a main event talent on RAW.
That hasn’t been the case for his former rival, Carmelo Hayes, who many feel has been underutilised since joining SmackDown in April 2024. He has been placed into programs with mid-card talent, but nothing substantial that would help place him on a PLE.Hayes teased a potential face turn on the blue brand this week amid tension growing between himself and The Miz. It looks as though the ‘Melo Don’t Miz’ storyline may have run its course.Cory Hays of BodySlam.net claims that there have been plans for the 31-year-old to become a babyface. He wrote on X:
“WWE does want Melo as a babyface so lets see how they execute that”
Hayes’s first night as a member of the SmackDown brand saw him face Cody Rhodes in a losing battle but earned the respect of the two-time WWE Champion. He also received praise from Triple H who hinted that he was one for the future with a post on social media:
“After a performance like that against the Undisputed WWE Champion (CodyRhodes), (Carmelo Hayes) has shown the entire SmackDown roster that he is HIM.”
That wasn’t the first time The Game has tipped Hayes to be a success, as he watched his progress in NXT where he held the NXT Championship for 182 days. He wrote again on X:
“An impressive young man with an incredibly bright future here in (NXT). Even in defeat, (Carmelo Hayes) showed that he belongs.”
Hayes started his NXT career as a face before turning heel and forming the Trick Melo Gang alongside Trick Williams. Many are waiting to see when Trick arrives on the main roster and whether the former allies-turned-rivals reunite.
Booker T ‘Advocated’ For Carmelo Hayes
Hayes is almost certainly yet to fulfil his potential on the main roster, and that comes down to inconsistent booking of the former two-time NXT North American Champion. One week, he is pulling off a massive victory like pinning Randy Orton in a Money in the Bank qualifier, but another week, he’ll eat the pin in a tag match involving other midcard talent such as Andrade.
The SmackDown star does have the support of higher-ups in the company, including Booker T, who covered his rise in developmental as part of NXT’s commentary team. The former five-time WCW World Champion knows what it takes to be a success as a black singles star in professional wrestling, having become a two-time WWE Hall of Famer.
Hayes commented on Booker and how he’s mentored him during his career when speaking to Armon Sadler of VIBE two years ago:
“Booker for example, he wants the best for all talent, but Black talent as well. Booker T’s has been a huge advocate for helping with my progress.”
WWE’s creative team have received backlash over the past year for the lack of black wrestlers featured on PLEs. Hayes has been biding his time in the midcard, awaiting a chance to shine and show the world that he is HIM, and it seems a babyface turn could ignite a push.
