Add as a preferred source on Google Carmelo Hayes was reportedly left off the SummerSlam card because he is not viewed as one of the company’s preferred talents, rather than because of any backstage issue.
During a recent WrestleVotes Q&A, TC was asked why Hayes was not booked for a match despite being involved in the United States Championship picture throughout July.
“He’s not one of their favorite guys. That’s what it is. He’s not doing anything wrong. He doesn’t have any heat.”
Hayes appeared positioned for a SummerSlam title match when he confronted United States Champion Trick Williams on the July 3 SmackDown. Williams agreed to face him in a non-title match the following week, but their July 10 bout ended in a no contest after Baron Corbin returned and attacked both men.
Corbin ultimately moved ahead of Hayes in the storyline. After attacking Williams again following the July 24 SmackDown, Corbin accepted a challenge for a United States Championship match at SummerSlam.
WWE has set Williams vs. Corbin for the Sunday card, while Hayes is not scheduled for either night.
TC compared Hayes’ position to Ilja Dragunov, another wrestler who has regularly received praise for his matches but has been absent from major cards.
“You can just see who their favorites are. I’m not trying to bury the guy here or say there’s heat. But they’re always going to pick their favorites. Ilja Dragunov is the same thing.”
This is the second major WWE event in a row that Hayes has missed, after spending time around the United States title. He was also left off the WrestleMania 42 card after losing the championship to Sami Zayn on March 27. He failed to regain it one week later.