Carmelo Hayes On How He Handles Not Being On WrestleMania Card: ‘I Stay Ready’

Carmelo Hayes is not on the WrestleMania 42 card, and he recently weighed in on how he handles the need to “stay patient” for his opportunity to shine. Hayes lost the WWE United States Championship to Sami Zayn on the March 27th episode of WWE Smackdown, derailing his hopes of competing at this weekend’s PLE. Zayn will defend the title against Trick Williams and despite calls from fans to include him, Hayes is not part of the match.

Hayes appeared on Nightcap with Chad Ochocino & Shannon Sharpe, where he was asked how he handles such situations. He noted that he makes sure that when he gets his chance to succeed, it’s a guarantee he will.

“I feel like I stay ready, and knowing that I’m talented enough that if they give the ball, it’s guaranteed,” Hayes said (per Fightful). “That’s what my mentality has always been. Success is not earned, it’s given.”

He continued, “I feel like that’s a lot in WWE. Anybody, really. Until they give you the ball, how do you know who can score? Until they put you on the field, how do they know that you can make a play? That’s really what it comes down to with what we do, waiting for the ball or to put you in.”

No word on whether Hayes will make an appearance during WrestleMania at some point during the two-night event.