Carmelo Hayes Responds To Message From Johnny Gargano, Teases Making a Call To Kelani Jordan To ‘Even It Out’

During last Friday’s WWE SmackDown, Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his United States Championship against Johnny Gargano. Following the match, Gargano wrote that he will be “Coming back for you” to the reigning champion.

Carmelo Hayes later responded to Gargano’s warning via social media, suggesting he could make a call to Kelani Jordan to make it a tag team bout against Gargano and his wife, Candice LeRae. He wrote, “This was an NXT dream match, and I actually got a lil bit of respect for you. We can run it back whenever, leave your wife in the back…Or I can make a call and we can even it out 👀

It remains to be seen if Johnny Gargano might take up Carmelo Hayes on the offer of a mixed tag team bout between the wrestling couples. As previously reported, Carmelo Hayes and Kelani Jordan announced their engagement last July. Jordan currently competes on the NXT roster.

Coming back for you. pic.twitter.com/6fwyl5pvP8

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) January 3, 2026

This was an NXT dream match and I actually got a lil bit of respect for you.

We can run it back whenever, leave your wife in the back…or I can make a call and we can even it out 👀 https://t.co/EDbOdfHww5

— Carmelo Hayes (@Carmelo_WWE) January 4, 2026