Wrestler Profile

Carmelo Hayes

Carmelo Hayes is him — the smoothest operator of NXT's modern era, whose two NXT Championship reigns and A-champion swagger made the brand's mid-2020s his personal highlight reel. His nothing-but-net finisher and Fadeaway springboard offense translate basketball cool into wrestling currency.

The Trick Williams betrayal saga gave NXT its best-told story in years, with Hayes playing the jealous mentor to perfection. On the main roster, his pairing with the Miz sharpened his veteran education while his in-ring polish kept match quality automatic.

Young, complete and camera-fluent, Hayes profiles as a decade-long main-card fixture. WrestleRanks voters rank Melo on certainty: him today, him tomorrow, him ranked.

Promotions

Carmelo Hayes is associated with WWE (2025–2026).

PWI rankings history

Carmelo Hayes has been ranked in the PWI 500 5 times, first at No. 256 in 2021 and most recently at No. 95 in 2025. The highest placement is No. 13, reached in 2023.

Placements by year: 2021 (No. 256), 2022 (No. 77), 2023 (No. 13), 2024 (No. 48), 2025 (No. 95).

Compiled from the annual rankings published by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. See the 2025 edition.

Carmelo Hayes in the WrestleRanks rankings

Carmelo Hayes is tracked as a professional wrestler on WrestleRanks. WrestleRanks standings are decided one week at a time, from fan voting and editor input. Read more about how our rankings work, or see the live, interactive profile with weekly rank history and voting on the Carmelo Hayes ranking page.

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