It’s easy to say that WWE did a lot of work rebuilding their NXT brand in 2022. They were able to find their rhythm after a messy transition to NXT 2.0, got ready to move from NXT UK to NXT Europe – and built up some major stars along the way. One of the biggest names of the year was Carmelo Hayes, who spent the bulk of the year as NXT North American Champion, facing the likes of Roderick Strong, Cameron Grimes and even WWE Smackdown star Ricochet.
Match With Ricochet Came Together In Just Four Days
While speaking with Ryan Satin, Hayes would have a chance to express just how quickly this match against Ricochet over the NXT North American Championship came together. It was set just four days before they locked up for the first time.
“Yeah, it was. That was cool, I’m glad we got to do that. That came on within four days’ notice or something like that. It wasn’t a big drawn-up thing. He showed up to NXT and challenged me, and the PLE was four days later. But yeah, it was a highlight because that was one of the matches, like I have a lot of dream matches. The one with Ricochet, there’s a lot of guys I feel I work well with, and Ricochet is one of them. The fact that we actually got to do it while I’m in NXT was dope because I was like, ‘Oh, I get to do it here.’ The fact that he came down and we got to do it and show that I can go with Ricochet. But I have mad respect for Ricochet.”
Started 2023 Against Apollo Crews
Despite it being a close match, Hayes would not grant Ricochet a rematch following Worlds Collide. Hayes would lose the NXT North American Championship to Solo Sikoa on the final episode under the NXT 2.0 branding, and failed to reclaim it in both a ladder match and singles match against new champion Wes Lee.
He would start his 2023 taking on another name who made his name on the WWE main roster, taking on Apollo Crews in the first NXT match of the year. Crews would lose to Hayes, before taking a two on one beatdown from Hayes & Trick Williams. He united with Axiom shortly after, and will face Hayes & Williams in a tag team match this coming Wednesday on NXT.
Will we ever see Hayes vs. Ricochet II? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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