WWE champion breaks character to praise Carmelo Hayes

WWE Superstar Carmelo Hayes has made a few enemies since debuting on the main roster of SmackDown earlier this year. Recently, current NXT Champion Trick Williams credited Melo for his success on the developmental brand.

Trick and Carmelo formed a formidable duo in NXT, known as the Trick Melo Gang. Their friendship and tag team success were highly praised. However, at NXT Vengeance Day 2024, The A-Champion shockingly backstabbed The Anointed One, attacking him with a steel chair after a match against Ilja Dragunov.

During an appearance on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Trick Williams attributed the WWE SmackDown superstar for providing him with valuable learning opportunities. The 30-year-old star highlighted how observing Carmelo Hayes' performances in main-event matches allowed him to build rapport with the audience without the immediate pressure of carrying the show.

"I say someone who laid a great platform for me; I can't go without saying Carmelo Hayes. I learned a lot by being beside [him] or even back into the right of Carmelo Hayes. When he had the main event matches for the PLEs, for Tuesday Nights, I was able to sit there and learn and build a rapport with the audience, without having the pressure of, 'Hey, I could put on this 15-20 minute banger and go get that title.' I was able to see what the main event scene felt like without having the pressure first," Williams said. [From 08:38 to 09:11]

You can watch the full interview below:

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Trick Williams says he also learns from WWE star Carmelo Hayes' mistakes

During their feud in April 2024, Melo and Williams wrestled once at Stand & Deliver and later in a Steel Cage Match on WWE NXT. However, in both bouts, The Anointed One emerged victorious over his opponent.

Speaking on the same episode of the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Trick Williams further explained how he learned from Carmelo Hayes' successes and failures, gaining valuable insights into the nuances of main event performances.

"I also got to sit back and learn all of Melo's, what he did great, what worked for him. I got to learn what didn't work for him," he added. [From 09:12 to 09:21]

It remains to be seen if The A-Champion and The Anointed One will meet once again inside the squared circle once the latter moves to WWE's main roster.

Please credit No-Contest Wrestling and provide an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.