NXT Star Told He’s Not Ready For WWE Main Roster

WWE

WWE NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes has revealed the reason why he isn’t considered main roster ready as given to him by Shawn Michaels.

Hayes has been signed with WWE since February 2021, following an independent wrestling career that started in 2014.

In his time in WWE, he has been a two-time North American Champion and the final NXT Cruiserweight Champion, becoming NXT Champion at Stand & Deliver in April 2023.

Later that month, the WWE Draft occurred which saw a number of NXT stars drafted to the main roster for the first time since the draft of October 2021.

Hayes was not among the names to be called up and recently spoke about a conversation he had with Shawn Michaels about his position.

In an interview with The Messenger, Hayes explained:

“He gave me a really good analogy – ‘I don’t want you to start building your roof when you haven’t laid the groundwork yet.

‘You’re already trying to put in your windows and you haven’t even finished doing your thing.’

“That’s where we’re at now. I was like, ‘Yeah, let me continue to build brick by brick by brick,’

“When I’m able to get to that point where it’s time to put a roof on this thing, I’ll go to the main roster and start building that roof.”

Hayes would conclude by saying that the house construction analogy was all about “not getting ahead of yourself.”

In his NXT run, Hayes is the only person to have held the NXT Championship, the NXT Cruiserweight Championship and the NXT North American Championship.

At NXT No Mercy on September 30, Hayes will defend his title against Ilja Dragunov.

Want to know more about what goes on outside the ring? WrestleTalk proudly presents Wrestling Unmasked, a new book that explores the untold stories, the politics, and the endless drama that unfolds behind the scenes. It’s time to experience wrestling like never before! Buy your copy here!

• Carmelo Hayes
• shawn michaels
• nxt
• wwe

Share this article with friends