Carmelo Hayes is one of the superstars who has worked extremely hard throughout the years in order to become one of the top stars of NXT. His impressive athleticism and in-ring skills helped him get over with fans as well. He is the current NXT Champion after defeating Bron Breakker and is fresh off a victory over the former NXT North American Champion, Wes Lee at NXT Heatwave this week.
At NXT Stand & Deliver this year, Carmelo Hayes defeated Bron Breakker to capture the NXT Championship. He went on to successfully defend it on several occasions and proved to be a fighting champion and became a major draw for the brand.
Carmelo Hayes defeats Wes Lee
In the main event of NXT Heatwave, NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes faced off against Wes Lee in an exciting, yet a bit rushed match. The match started at a rapid pace, with the two superstars staring at each other immediately. In the beginning, Hayes controlled the flow of the match before Lee eventually made a comeback. Lee gets a couple of nearfalls with the package Michinoku Driver for a two-count and a twisted corkscrew senton off the top rope. He almost had the champion down for the count with a 2-and-a-half count with that move.
Carmelo Hayes then fired back with a First 48 to Wes Lee for a nearfall. Their fight then spills outside the ring, with Hayes jumping off the middle rope and landing a backward DDT on Lee that ends up smashing the announce desk. This was one of the highlights of the match. Hayes then rolls Lee back into the ring. He then climbs onto the top turnbuckle to hit his guillotine leg drop finisher, but Lee moves out of the way. He catches Hayes with a Cardiac Kick but Hayes moves out of the ring before Lee can cover him for the fall. As Hayes moves to the ringside, Lee goes for a tope. This is where things go horribly wrong for Wes Lee.
Lee comes crashing down into the barricade, which even comes apart due to the impact. He managed to barely make it back into the ring, but is then caught by Hayes’ Nothing But Net. Hayes then covers Lee for the pinfall, and secures the victory.
Carmelo Hayes and Wes Lee create history at WWE NXT Heatwave
After his grueling match with Wes Lee, Carmelo Hayes showered his opponent with praise in a backstage interview. There, he reveals that the two men had created history with their match, with them being the first-ever Black wrestlers to mainevent the show with the NXT Championship on the line.
Was an honor to make history with one of the best in the world @WesLee_WWE 🙏🏾 https://t.co/lH0YesvAZO
— Carmelo Hayes (@Carmelo_WWE) August 23, 2023
“Freakin’ Wes Lee, man! He was one of the greatest North American Champions for a reason … that kid has got so much fight in him,” Hayes said. “Also, I’m not sure if you know this, Kelly [Kincaid], but he and I made history … this was the first-ever main event with two Black men for the ‘NXT’ Championship — ever.”
Hayes lastly said that although it was a special moment for him, he did not take his eyes off the prize. He continued to deliver and provided the fans with a great ending to NXT Heatwave. Fans were overjoyed to witness the two superstars create history in the company with an amazing match and congratulated both men after the match.
