Carmelo Hayes has been left off the WWE SummerSlam 2026 card, and he did not hide his disappointment about it.
Hayes spent months chasing the WWE United States Championship after losing the title to Sami Zayn on the March 27 episode of SmackDown, ending a 98-day reign. His pursuit hit further setbacks with a loss to Ricky Saints in a number one contender’s match, then a no contest against Trick Williams on July 10 after Baron Corbin interfered during his surprise return to WWE.
WWE has since booked Williams to defend the United States Championship against Corbin at SummerSlam, leaving Hayes off one of the weekend’s headline matches despite his role in the rivalry. Corbin himself later told a fan on social media that Hayes deserved a spot on the card.
Hayes acknowledged the situation with a post on X, sharing an image of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sitting on the bench with a disappointed expression.
The decision has sparked backlash from fans online, many arguing Hayes has been overlooked despite his direct involvement in the rivalry.
For those keeping score at home, Hayes also missed the 2-night WrestleMania 42 event earlier this year.
So, why isn’t WWE prioritizing Carmelo Hayes? Speaking with sources in WWE, nobody has been able to point to “backstage heat” or anything tangible that would lead management to purposely hold him back. At the end of the day, WWE’s roster is overflowing with talented young stars.
