Carmelo Hayes to make WWE SmackDown debut for U.S. title tournament

Published at :December 11, 2023 at 2:26 PM

Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 6:43 PM

Two weeks ago on SmackDown, Logan Paul returned to television with the United States Championship. Maverick said that Rey Mysterio is injured and is not available for a rematch, however announced the United States Championship tournament and the participants. Eight wrestlers were announced for the tournament including Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley, Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, Santos Escobar, Dragon Lee, Karrion Kross & an unknown NXT superstar.

The tournament began last week with two first-round matches, where Bobby Lashley & Santos Escobar advanced to the next round and Dragon Lee & Karrion Kross were eliminated from the tournament. Now the NXT star to feature in the tournament has been officially announced.

Carmelo Hayes announced for the United States Championship tournament

WWE posted a video on X, where Shawn Michaels announced that the WWE NXT superstar who will be entering the United States title tournament on SmackDown will be the former NXT Champion, Carmelo Hayes.

BREAKING: @ShawnMichaels has announced that the #WWENXT Superstar entering the #USTitle Tournament on #SmackDown is former @WWENXT Champion @Carmelo_WWE! pic.twitter.com/gqx4fX2GwR
— WWE (@WWE) December 11, 2023

For those who don’t watch NXT, Carmelo Hayes is the former NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion, who got endorsed by WWE veterans John Cena and ‘The Phenom’ Undertaker. He is one of the successful and upcoming NXT stars, who won almost every singles tournament and championship in the Black & Yellow brand.

As per speculations, Carmelo Hayes will be an integral part of the SmackDown brand slowly, like how Dragon Lee became a part of the SmackDown brand, by performing week after week. Hayes had previously showed-up on SmackDown, where he was teased of aligning with Bobby Lashley & Street Profits.

Could Hayes be able to win the U.S. title tournament and challenge Logan Paul for the United States Championship? Will he become the newest member of the Bobby Lashley’s stable? Comment your thoughts.

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