NXT Legend Takes Surprising Shot At Diehard Fans of Black-and-Gold Brand
Carmelo Hayes has offered his take on the WWE NXT fans, saying the crowd that helped make him one of […]
C armelo Hayes has offered his take on the WWE NXT fans, saying the crowd that helped make him one of the brand’s top stars is ultimately loyal to no one. Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Hayes reflected on his time in NXT from 2021 to 2024 and gave an unfiltered take on the nature of that audience and what it takes to survive in that environment. “That crowd is wishy-washy, even still to this day,” Hayes said.
“They’re never yours. They’re who’s hot in the moment, and I knew that and I understood that and it was one of those things where I had even did a promo with Trick Williams where it’s like they love you on the rise and then when it’s the next guy’s turn, they’ll switch on you, and that’s the truth. That crowd, they’ll make you but they’ll also break you.
” During his NXT run, Hayes built one of the more decorated resumes in the brand’s recent history. He won the NXT Breakout Tournament in 2021, captured the NXT Cruiserweight Championship — becoming the final holder of that title — and held the NXT North American Championship twice before winning the NXT Championship itself. Despite that level of success, Hayes was clear-eyed about the crowd’s loyalty throughout.
The reference to Trick Williams is particularly notable and will be remembered by longtime NXT fans. Hayes and Williams were closely linked during their NXT run, with their partnership and eventual rivalry becoming one of the brand’s best storylines. Hayes watched firsthand as the NXT crowd shifted its affections, giving him an understanding of how quickly that audience can move on.