Carmelo Hayes will not be at WrestleMania 42, and he has thoughts on what that says about the business.
Speaking with Chad Ochocinco and Shannon Sharpe on Nightcap, Hayes was asked about his mindset heading into WrestleMania weekend without a spot on the card. He lost the United States Championship to Sami Zayn just weeks before the event and failed to win it back on the April 3 episode of SmackDown, ultimately losing his WrestleMania 42 opportunity in the process.
“I feel like I stay ready, and knowing that I’m talented enough that if they give the ball, it’s guaranteed. That’s what my mentality has always been. You ever heard that phrase, ‘Success is not earned, it’s given?’ I feel like that’s a lot in WWE,” Hayes said.
He also reflected on the broader reality of waiting for opportunities in WWE regardless of how prepared a performer might be.
“Anybody, really. Until they give you the ball, how do you know who can score? Until they put you on the field, how do they know that you can make a play? That’s really what it comes down to with what we do, waiting for the ball or to put you in,” Hayes said.
Zayn defends the United States Championship against Trick Williams on night two of WrestleMania 42 on Sunday, April 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Nightcap with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.