Carmelo Hayes says he’s felt “survivor’s guilt” after Baron Corbin’s recent release from WWE. The two worked together closely in NXT last year.
Corbin marked his return to the developmental brand in May 2023 by ambushing Hayes, who was the NXT Champion at the time. They had an intense feud, with Hayes emerging victorious. They wrestled once again on SmackDown during this year’s King of the Ring tournament. Hayes tells Metro that Corbin’s firing hit him especially hard.
“It’s kinda like a survivor’s guilt, you know what I mean? After a day or two, you’re like, “Man!” You just hate to see that for them.”
– Carmelo Hayes on Baron Corbin’s WWE release
Hayes says Corbin took a liking to him, and helped him tremendously by offering all sorts of advice – about wrestling, personal finances and life in general. Those lessons will serve him for years to come, and he’ll always hold a special place for his one-time onscreen rival.
“I’m forever indebted to Baron Corbin, he adds. “Super talented, and I hate to see him go. That was one of those ones that really kinda hurt.”
– Carmelo Hayes on Baron Corbin’s inflence
