Real Reason Why Triple H-Led Creative Didn’t Book Major WWE Star For SummerSlam
A new report revealed the reason behind the Triple H-led creative leaving a popular WWE star off the SummerSlam 2026 card. The star in question is Carmelo Hayes.
Carmelo Hayes has been in the WWE since 2021 and started off with a great run on NXT until 2024. When Carmelo moved to the main roster two years ago, fans were hopeful that he would emerge as a top young star. However, Hayes’ main roster run has largely been underwhelming, except for one great United States title reign.
Carmelo Hayes is still in the United States title picture, but he will not be on the SummerSlam 2026 card, as the US title match is set to be between Trick Williams and Baron Corbin, leaving Carmelo off the card this weekend. Many fans have been upset about Hayes not being on the card.
A new report by WrestleVotes revealed that Carmelo Hayes doesn’t have any heat, but he is not one of the favorite guys for WWE:
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.”
The report also weighed in on who WWE’s favorites are and also put Ilja Dragunov in the non-favorite category:
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.” [H/T Ringside News]
Carmelo Hayes reportedly has no backstage heat, but WWE still left him off the SummerSlam card because he isn't a main focus right now. (via WrestleVotes)
Carmelo Hayes was drafted to WWE SmackDown in April 2024.
Carmelo Hayes did not compete at WrestleMania 41 (2025).
Carmelo… pic.twitter.com/zv4ZSnK8S9
— ᴢ ᴀ ɪ ʙ ɪ (@_xaibii) July 28, 2026
Triple H-led creative also left WWE star off the WrestleMania 42 card
A few weeks before WrestleMania 42 in April, the WWE star, Carmelo Hayes lost his United States title to Sami Zayn and he was left off the Mania card by Triple H-led creative as well.
In an interview before WrestleMania 42, Carmelo Hayes said the following about not being on the Mania card:
I feel like it’s staying ready and just knowing I’m talented enough. If they give me the ball, it’s guaranteed. I think that’s really what my mentality has always been. You ever heard that phrase, ‘Success is not earned, it’s given?’ I feel like that’s a lot with WWE.”
Anybody really, it’s like, until they give you the ball, how will they know if you can score? Until they put you on the field, how do they know if you can make a play? I think that’s really what it comes down to with what we do is waiting for the ball, or waiting for them to put you in.”
Only time will tell what Triple H has in store for Carmelo Hayes next.