6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (31 Jan - Results & Review)
Downs…
3. Figure It Out, Trips!
It's been a frustrating process watching Carmelo Hayes on WWE's main roster. Sure, he's been competitive with the likes of Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes since leaping up from NXT, but then Hayes was slapped around like some Sunday Night Heat jobber by Braun Strowman. To follow that, Melo's fate now sees him struggling to convince in this stop-start mini-feud with Jimmy Uso.
They've got chemistry, that's clear, but the story (Jimmy's experience means he's one step ahead of Hayes) has been clumsily told thus far. WWE badly needs a plan for Carmelo on the main roster. He’s drifting without ever really looking like a threat to anyone, and the highs of his fabulous series vs. Andrade are already a distant memory.
Hopes that his inconsistency wouldn’t bleed over into 2025 have been dashed.
Look, the margins are fine here. This almost bagged a spot in the 'Ups' because, again, Melo and Jimmy do have something between them. It just sucks to see someone as talented as Hayes continue to tread water. Creative obviously wants to build something with him long term, but they're gonna need to toss the man a bone every so often or face the consequences. Fans won't keep caring about him forever if he starts coming across as a bad joke.
This is a delicate time for Melo. He's either about to blow up and become an NXT > main roster success story like Kevin Owens, or he'll be the next coming of Cameron Grimes. OK, things aren't quite that bad, but you get the point. This fan just wants to see him do well with a little more direction.
Who knows? Maybe he'll pull a shock performance out at the Royal Rumble.