Top NXT Star ‘Totally OK’ With Missing 2023 WWE Draft

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The 2023 WWE Draft is officially in the books, and it saw a large number of NXT stars make their way up to WWE’s main roster.

The call-ups included current NXT Champions Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, but did not feature current NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes.

Hayes won the title from Bron Breakker back at NXT Stand & Deliver, with a rematch between the two set to take place at NXT Battleground next weekend.

Speaking to WrestlingNews.co, Hayes discussed missing the draft, where he said that he was ‘totally ok’ missing the Draft, claiming he still has unfinished business in NXT.

He said:

“No sad feelings. At the end of the day when you’re thinking about a draft, you’re thinking about getting the very best that there is to offer, so it was a little surprising that a couple of names weren’t mentioned. I’m not saying that those guys aren’t great talents and those girls aren’t great talents because they are and they deserve that main roster. But I think I have unfinished business here and I think that I’m totally okay with holding it down in NXT.

“This is what I asked for. This is what I wanted. I wanted to be the face of the brand and I wanted to be the champion and defend this championship and take it to newer heights and newer levels. This was kind right on pace for me. Moving up to the main roster, it’s a goal of mine, obviously, but you know, it’s not going anywhere and I’m only going to be better. Having these defenses are only going to make me sharper, are only going to make me better, so I’m looking forward to when the time comes, but right now I’m doing my thing.”

Hayes and Trick Williams teamed up to defeat Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey on this week’s episode of NXT.

Here are full results from the May 16 episode of WWE NXT:

Cora Jade def. Fallon Henley in the NXT Women’s Championship tournament

Brutus & Julius Creed def. The Dyad

At a restaurant, Tony D’Angelo was taken away by police for “questioning”

Noam Dar hosted Supernova Sessions with guest Dragon Lee, which set up Dar defending the NXT Heritage Cup against Lee at NXT Battleground

Dijak kidnapped Ilja Dragunov and tortured him

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams def. Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak

Kiana James def. Thea Hail

Wes Lee and Joe Gacy set up an NXT North American Title match for Battleground, before Tyler Bate came out and added himself to make it a three-way – Lee and Bate were both attacked together backstage by Gacy’s teammates The Dyad earlier in the show

Roxanne Perez def. Jacy Jayne in the NXT Women’s Championship tournament

Carmelo Hayes and Bron Breakker brawled and the show went off the air with both men down in the ring

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• Carmelo Hayes
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