Triple H Has Allegedly Scr*wed Popular WWE Star Ahead Of WrestleMania 42

A former WWE superstar isn’t happy about a title change.

Carmelo Hayes is no longer the United States Champion after Sami Zayn beat the talented young star in a match on WWE SmackDown in Pittsburgh.

After Hayes won the US Title from Ilja Dragunov in December 2025, Hayes carried on the babyface tradition of doing the US Title Open Challenge that Dragunov and Zayn did before him, just like John Cena over a decade ago.

Unfortunately for Hayes, the actions of his former best friend and bitter rival, Trick Williams, cost him the US Title. After Trick grabbed the US Title from ringside and tossed the title into the ring by Zayn, the referee took the title away. Trick went on the apron and punched Melo by accident because Zayn moved, and Zayn knocked Trick off the apron. Zayn hit a Helluva Kick on Melo for the pinfall win.

Baron Corbin Wants WWE’s Creative Team, Led By Triple H, To Not Forget About Carmelo Hayes

In a post on X/Twitter, former WWE superstar Baron Corbin, who wrestles as Bishop Dyer and uses his real name Tom Pestock on social media, criticized WWE’s creative team led by Hall of Famer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who has final say on all creative matters on the main roster.

Just my opinion but @Carmelo_WWE got screwed. He deserves a mania match!! Him and Ilja made that title matter again! Shit give me Ilja vs @_trickwilliams vs Melo at mania

After SmackDown GM Nick Aldis informed Zayn he’ll defend the US Title against Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42 on April 18/19, the former Corbin suggested making it a 3-way with Hayes involved.

Make it a 3 way!! @Carmelo_WWE has carrried that for months and has delivered!!

Just my opinion but @Carmelo_WWE got screwed. He deserves a mania match!! Him and Ilja made that title matter again! Shit give me Ilja vs @_trickwilliams vs Melo at mania

— Tom (@TomPestock) March 28, 2026

Pestock also retweeted another account on X showing support for Hayes: “Carmelo Hayes should’ve walked into WrestleMania 42 as the US Champion. I’m so gutted for him.”

There are still three more episodes of SmackDown before WrestleMania 42 takes place, so it’s possible that WWE adds Carmelo Hayes to the Sami Zayn-Trick Williams match, especially since Hayes is the former champion and lost the title because of Williams.

Also Read: Triple H Breaks Silence After Sami Zayn Wins WWE US Title