Carmelo Hayes’ Biggest Roadblocks to WWE WrestleMania 42

Carmelo Hayes won the U.S. Championship from Ilja Dragunov on the Christmas episode of SmackDown. Ever since that title change, Hayes has been a fighting champion with open challenges, retaining the title against the likes of Johnny Gargano, Rey Fenix, Leon Slater, Shinsuke Nakamura, and The Miz. As WWE approaches WrestleMania 42, here are three major threats to Hayes’ title reign.

Trick Williams

Trick Williams is the ideal candidate to dethrone Carmelo Hayes for the U.S. Title due to the history he has with Hayes. They were originally known as Trick Melo Gang in NXT and soon became the best rivals since the days of DIY and Bayley and Sasha Banks. Since he just got called up to the main roster, he would make a major statement with a U.S. Title victory to kick off his trajectory to the top.

Since Hayes is not involved in a personal feud with anyone and has been battling the entire mid-card in open challenges, Hayes will likely defend the title in a ladder match at Mania. Williams will have to use those Lemon Pepper Steppers to add more pep to his step when he is climbing the ladder to grab the U.S. Title. It’ll also be easy for him to gloat in front of his former pal’s face for the heel heat.

Aleister Black

Aleister Black has not redeemed himself since returning from AEW to WWE. He lost his first big feud with Damian Priest in an ambulance match. It was implied that the feud would help elevate him to a title shot, but all it did was put him back where he started when he got released from the WWE. However, Black still has one more shot for a consolation prize, and that would be the U.S. Title.

Black never won a singles title in the WWE, and the U.S. Title would be a good first step. When he had his first U.S. Title match against Ilja Dragunov back in October, Damian Priest cost him the match. Now that Priest is out of his hair, there is a window for him to continue his heel run and answer Hayes’ U.S. Title Open Challenge. Hopefully, the title will be his ticket to regaining momentum.

The Miz

The Miz is the last person to be considered for a title shot due to his lackluster momentum. He basically loses a match every single week. He has been buried on SmackDown more than the New England Patriots were in the Super Bowl. However, like the Patriots, he is an established veteran of the game and has a personal vendetta against Hayes ever since their team of Melo, Don’t Miz broke up.