NXT Star Addresses Comparisons To Shawn Michaels

WWE

Former NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes has addressed comparisons between himself and WWE legend Shawn Michaels.

In September 2021, NXT was rebranded with a new logo and a crop of new talent.

While Hayes made his WWE debut during the ‘Black & Gold’ era of NXT, many only remember his NXT 2.0 days, because it was shortly after the rebranding when Hayes received a major push.

While Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque recovered from health issues, Shawn Michaels took over creative duties for the developmental brand at this time.

Hayes has previously noted that he views Michaels as a mentor, and Michaels often speaks fondly of the rising star.

Melo noted the comparisons between him and his mentor, HBK while speaking with Sportskeeda Wrestling.

Hayes said:

“As far as comparisons are concerned, naturally, I do have the attitude, and he likes that about me, and you know, I’m very much pain in the a**, but I know what I want, and I think he respects that about me.

“I know, and I trust myself, I have confidence in myself, and I’ll fight for it. Sometimes he has to ask me to pull back; I think his biggest thing is to protect the talent from themselves.

“Sometimes he tells me no; sometimes, he tells me to slow down a bit.”

Carmelo Hayes reflected on his relationship with the WWE Hall of Famer, explaining:

“Shawn and I are very close. Every time I talk to him, I learn something new. He says things that I have heard in ways I haven’t heard if that makes any sense.

“He says certain things that click to me differently in a certain way because he’s experienced and he’s done everything in the business.

“So, it’s like when he talks; it’s the gospel in the sense you’re like, you know what you’re talking about. So I have learned so much from him and he and I are very close.”

Michaels officially became the Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Creative earlier this year.

At NXT Deadline on Saturday, December 10, Carmelo Hayes will enter the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge to face Axiom, Grayson Waller, JD McDonagh and Joe Gacy.

Check out the full match card for the event right here.

Transcription via Sportskeeda Wrestling. 

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• Carmelo Hayes
• shawn michaels
• nxt
• wwe

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