WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Predicting All 30 Entrants

23. Carmelo Hayes (#8)

WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Roman Reigns Chris Jericho Santino Marella
WWE.com

It was easy to see how much winning the United States Title meant to Carmelo Hayes. His unlikely breakout babyface success has inarguably saved his WWE main roster career. Melo was going nowhere on SmackDown before teaming up with The Miz then spinning out of their double act to become a good guy.

Now, he's US Champ and filling the midcard workhorse spot on 3 hour episodes of SmackDown. Life is good. Hayes can even look over to see his old NXT pal-turned-enemy Trick Williams coming straight for gold now he's been called up from developmental himself.

Carmelo needs at least a solid 20-minute stay in this year's Rumble. He doesn't need to eat any humble pie (Royal Humble?) by being eliminated early. He's important to the product again, and that must be reflected in his performance over in Riyadh.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.