Carmelo Hayes thinks that diversity isn’t an issue when it comes to rising to the top of the WWE.
In recent months, there has been some controversy surrounding Triple H’s booking. There has been a perceived lack of Black talents on Premium Live Events, with the company noting this lack of diversity in their recent shows. Triple H drew more criticism when he said he didn’t see color, he only saw talent during the WWE Bad Blood Post-Show.
However, this is not something that Carmelo Hayes is worrying about.
Hayes spoke with Gorilla Position and was asked about the recent controversy surrounding a lack of diversity on WWE PLEs. He said that the top wrestlers rise to the top, regardless of race or ethnicity. He noted that “when you’re talented, you’re talented”, ending the discussion succinctly.
“I don’t know, you know? I mean, I think when you’re talented, you’re talented, and you’re going to get an opportunity. All of us guys and girls are proving that we deserve all the opportunities—regardless of color, race, ethnicity, all of that. So, what Hunter was saying was essentially, you know, cream rises to the top. When you’re talented, you’re talented. Period.”
When Triple H made those comments after Bad Blood, there had not been any Black men on a WWE premium live event card for three consecutive main roster shows. The last event to feature a Black male competitor was Money In The Bank, which saw Carmelo Hayes compete in an MITB ladder match. Prior to that event, the last main roster PLE to feature Black male talent was WrestleMania 40.
There has been one main roster PLE since then, WWE Crown Jewel, which also featured Hayes in a triple-threat United States title match against Andrade and LA Knight.
Carmelo Hayes Thinks WWE Success Is Down To Stacked Roster
Carmelo Hayes believes WWE’s current success is more due to the roster than Triple H running the show.
WWE Superstar Carmelo Hayes recently spoke with Steven Muelhausen of Sports Illustrated. When asked if he felt as a talent if Triple H wasn’t leading this ship, that WWE wouldn’t be having this run the company is on right now, Hayes said he believes the talent roster is making the company go the way it is. However, Hayes credits Triple H for being hands-on with individual talents.
“I think with the talent that we have, yeah. I think the talent that we have is what’s making this go the way it is,” Carmelo Hayes said. “It’s stacked. Rosters have been stacked before. People always say, ‘Oh man, this is the most stacked roster.’ There have been so many great rosters, but I think everybody’s firing on all cylinders, whether that’s motivation from one place or another. I don’t know, I know me personally, I was going to strive to be great no matter who was in charge.
“I think a lot of people have that same kind of mindset. It’s not that, ‘Oh well, now I can try and work harder. Now I can try and be better.’ And it’s not that. It’s never been that. But I think Hunter is a lot more hands-on with talent individually. So maybe our ideas can come to fruition, as opposed to having one singular idea. I don’t know. I wasn’t there. I’ve only experienced this. So I can’t speak from the other side, but it’s been great. My journey has been fantastic. I couldn’t complain if I wanted to.”
