NXT Champion Makes Main Roster Debut On WWE Raw
Carmelo Hayes makes his main roster bow, but how did he fare?
As WWE continues to increase the amount of crossover between main roster and NXT superstars, it's apparently going to become even more commonplace to see scenes like we did Monday night, with Carmelo Hayes sitting in attendance front row during Seth Rollins' in-ring promo.
But the NXT Champion did more than sit there and soak in some cheers. Melo got involved in an altercation between Rollins and Finn Balor, setting up Hayes' first main roster TV match, against the Prince.
Hayes got in a fair amount of offense, popping the crowd with some of his aerial attacks, including his Fadeaway leg drop. But ultimately, Balor overcame Carmelo and defeated the NXT Champion clean, a decision that's sure to rub some fans the wrong way.
#WWENXT Champion @Carmelo_WWE brings the fight to @FinnBalor on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/eKGH5AK5Pv
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2023
On the one hand, Hayes is a developmental wrestler, and WWE has been drawing the clear distinction between main roster and NXT more recently. Finn is involved in a major feud for Rollins' WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Losing six days before he challenges for a world title would be seen as derailing his momentum.
But at the same time, Carmelo is set to face Baron Corbin for his NXT title, so losing a match 24 hours before defending his title is probably not the best look either. For many fans, this might be their first look at an NXT superstar, and while looking good in action, Hayes lost clean to Balor.
It's surprising they didn't book a non-finish here if they were hellbent on going through with the match. It wouldn't have been that hard for Finn to get disqualified, or for Corbin to run in, or the Judgment Day to get involved somehow.