Carmelo Hayes isn’t pretending that losing the United States Championship before WWE WrestleMania 42 didn’t sting. In fact, he admitted the moment hit him harder than many fans may have realized.
While speaking to Michael Fairman, Hayes opened up about what it felt like to lose momentum after his championship run, especially after feeling like he was right on the verge of something bigger. The timing made it even tougher, coming so close to WrestleMania season when momentum can mean everything. He explained that hearing about the direction change after such a strong run wasn’t easy to process, especially after putting in the work to get to that level.
“Uh yeah… I kind of… I know it’s maybe an obvious question but… I mean shoot, that’s what it is. I mean, it sucked. It definitely sucked and it was heartbreaking and it felt like I ran the race. I was so close to just throwing my arms up and crossing the finish line and then I got kind of like whoosh side stepped a little bit.”
Even with the disappointment, Hayes made it clear he didn’t allow frustration to take over. Instead, he leaned on professionalism and focused on doing what was asked of him, no matter the situation. He explained that staying reliable and delivering every time is something he takes pride in, regardless of where he lands on the card.
“At the end of the day I’m a pro. I show up to work at the… what they need for me, I do it and I go above and beyond no matter what every time. You know what I mean? It’s one of those things you got to charge it to the game.”
Hayes also stressed that he didn’t take the decision personally, recognizing that creative directions shift for many reasons beyond a single performer.
“It wasn’t a personal thing, right? Like it wasn’t a me thing. It was just a company thing. It was what it needed to be… whatever it needed to be.”
Still, he admitted there was a short period where frustration crept in. Like many competitors, he allowed himself a moment to react — but not long enough to derail his focus.
“It’s not something that I’m going to sit here and go, oh well, you know, woe is me. I don’t move like that. You know what I’m saying? I had a day or two where I was like, what the hell? And then after that I’m like, you know what? Back to work, man. Like it’s just a chip on my shoulder and watch what’s going to happen now.”
Losing the United States Championship before WrestleMania 42 could have shaken his confidence, but Hayes made it clear that the setback only added fuel to his motivation. Instead of looking backward, he seems focused on making sure the next opportunity hits even harder. Moments like this often define how a superstar rebounds — and Hayes sounds like someone who believes his biggest moments are still ahead.
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