Describing Carmelo Haye’s as an up-and-coming star within the wrestling world is an odd selection, since he’s already held the NXT, North American, and Cruiserweight Championships. However now within the large leagues of WWE SmackDown, Hayes finds himself in a locker room crammed with legends like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and a quickly to be retiring John Cena. M&F sat down with the cool and picked up Carmelo, as he defined why he’s eying the ‘You Can’t See Me’ star, and what a typical day on the highway with WWE seems to be like.
As WrestleMania season is now in full swing, 30-year-old WWE Famous person Carmello Hayes (actual identify: Christian Brigham) says that going from wrestling a few nights per week to assembly WWE’s demanding schedule takes some adjusting too, however he’s actually having fun with the trip. At present on the SmackDown model, Hayes likes to remain in a resort near the airport of whichever metropolis he’s wrestling in in order that he can fly again dwelling rapidly, however when on an prolonged tour the grappler finds himself in a special city for a number of days at a time.
“I imply, I do know it may be hectic,” he tells M&F. “There’s been occasions when it’s been very hectic, like for instance this UK tour that we now have arising, we’re hitting loads of cities on the market for a few weeks. I’m tremendous enthusiastic about that.”
Carmelo Hayes says it’s ‘Very Cool’ Being Current for John Cena’s Farewell Lap
Whereas Hayes has followers around the globe, one more reason to sit up for March’s 2025 “Highway to WrestleMania UK” tour is the truth that John Cena has additionally thrown his hat into the ring, showing and doubtlessly performing for the last time in London (March 31) and Glasgow (March 24).
With each wrestlers hailing from Massachusetts, the younger lion might be eyeing 16-time World Champion John Cena, to see if he can be taught something from one of many biggest WWE icons of all-time. “He’s any individual that’s, in case you take a look at the panorama of our locker room proper now, we’re very lucky,” he says. “Now we have loads of heavy hitters that (have) been across the block. Cena’s simply a kind of guys that has simply performed all of it. So, I imply, it’s very cool simply being in his presence. It’s very cool to simply choose his mind somewhat bit right here and there and see what he’s considering, what he’s going by. Man, like he’s earned this. He’s earned this story. He’s earned this type of ‘go dwelling’ for himself and this farewell for himself… He’s one of many largest stars ever to return out of the WWE.”
How Carmelo Hayes Spends His Day Whereas on the Highway with WWE
Whether or not he’s in London in England or London in Ontario, Canada, Hayes persistently proves himself to be a devoted athlete. Having wowed audiences along with his high-octane model throughout considered one of his epic wrestling matches, Hayes then hits the showers earlier than trying to get some downtime within the resort. “Your adrenaline is excessive,” he explains of the challenges of chilling out. “I’ll name my girlfriend (fellow WWE star Kelani Jordan) and simply decompress. The extra (reveals you do), the simpler it turns into to return down, as a result of it simply turns into regular.”
After all, attempting to chill out after thrilling performances, like February’s Royal Rumble when Hayes drew quantity 4 and wrestled earlier than a crowd of greater than 70,000 in Indianapolis, is something however a ‘regular’ state of affairs. “There are moments the place I’ve to essentially respect how freaking cool that is,” he shares. However after he’s soaked in these moments and are available again right down to earth, the entertainer understands that sleep is vital as a result of “It’s proper again to it tomorrow.”
Typically tomorrow can deliver an early morning media name, however when the prospect to sleep-in arrives, Carmelo likes to remain comfortable for so long as attainable. Breakfast or a lightweight lunch is usually subsequent, or straight right into a exercise adopted by a meal. Both means, Haye’s says he concentrates on protein pre and put up exercise. With regards to gyms, touring professional wrestlers can’t at all times be choosy. “However now and again you’ll discover a actually good health club,” he says. “I used to be in Saudi Arabia and there was a health club that was like among the finest gyms I’ve ever been to. That’s the cool factor about being on the highway and touring.”
When showing on SmackDown, Hayes is often required to reach on the area six hours earlier than the present begins. “As a result of lots goes into doing tv,” he explains. “For reside occasions and issues like that, perhaps it’s three hours.” Since beginning with WWE’s NXT model in 2021, Hayes has paid shut consideration to the energy and conditioning coaches within the group’s Efficiency Middle. It’s there that he picked up the larger particulars of his health club coaching, similar to feeling the stretch, making gradual and managed reps, and actually feeling the time beneath stress.
Fortunately, his concentrate on type seems to be paying off, and Haye’s is hungry to take the spot of these icons that went earlier than him. “You realize, I’ve been displaying week in and week out that my expertise speaks for itself,” says a assured Carmelo. “Folks wish to deliver up wins and losses and issues like that, however in my thoughts, , I’m going on the market and placing on a hell of a present and I’m studying. I’m getting higher. I’m having fun with what I’m doing and it’s solely the start,” he says.
Wins and losses have by no means been as vital to WWE followers as being entertained by the kinds of particular moments that Carmelo Hayes can doubtlessly deliver to the desk. John Cena is proof optimistic that followers reward their favorites with cheers based mostly on the work that they put in, reasonably than these stats determined in WWE’s inventive room backstage. For now, Carmelo Hayes has eyes on John Cena’s legacy and hopes to copy the relationships that one of many biggest grapplers of all time has constructed over the past 25 years. “Let’s see what occurs, and let me take it to the highest,” he concludes.
For ticket information on WWE’s 2025 UK Road to WrestleMania tour click here
