WWE legend concedes Carmelo Hayes "is very good" after surprising finish to SmackDown match (Exclusive) 

Carmelo Hayes seemingly got his revenge against Braun Strowman, and amongst the many impressed by the WWE main roster rookie is Dutch Mantell. The former NXT Champion lost to the Monster Among Men last week and predictably secured a rematch on the latest episode of SmackDown.

Strowman was part of the Grayson Waller Effect as well, during which Carmelo Hayes roasted the giant for his Christmas-themed attire. While reviewing the show, Dutch Mantell liked Carmelo Hayes' line about Strowman and, even beyond that, enjoyed the superstar's latest in-ring showing.

Carmelo picked up the win via count-out and, following the bout, was seen getting chased by a raging Braun Strowman backstage. Dutch Mantell, for starters, enjoyed Hayes' performance and admitted that the 30-year-old was quickly developing into a fine worker.

Mantell, however, was surprised by the finish as he initially expected Strowman to be victorious again over Carmelo Hayes:

"Oh, it was great. I was watching Carmelo, he is very good. He knew he was against a bigger opponent, he put over his size and strength like when he pushed off, he sailed off in the air. The finish surprised me. I'm sitting there and looking at it as a fan, which I still am, but I was like, they're going to beat this Carmelo kid again? Then I saw him come out as Santa Claus and I'm like, 'Oh my god, are we back to this now?' But it worked, even Grayson Waller and his partner, they also played a great background." [39:30 onwards]

Dutch Mantell liked the match and believed the finish had to be accepted by the fans after Strowman's convincing win over Hayes in the last episode.

It would be interesting to see how WWE follows up on the angle and shapes Hayes and Strowman's feud on TV.

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Please credit Smack Talk and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.