NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes appeared on the June 26 episode of WWE RAW.
On Monday night, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins drew attention to Hayes, who was sitting in the crowd, during an in-ring promo. He thanked Hayes for helping him when Finn Bálor attacked him last week on NXT. Rollins called the both of them “fighting champions” and proceeded to send a heated message to Bálor ahead of their match at WWE Money in the Bank.
Bálor came out to try and ambush Rollins with a chair. However, Rollins saw it coming, and they brawled. Bálor again tried to use the chair, but Hayes took it away from him, setting the stage for a match between the two.
The two stars clashed in an exciting match, and while Hayes’ performance was impressive, Bálor clinched the win with the Coup de Grace.
For a recap of how the match ended, check out below courtesy of our live, play-by-play coverage of WWE RAW:
Bálor takes Hayes down and lands a few strikes. Bálor works over Hayes in the corner. Hayes struggles to get out of a headlock from Bálor. Hayes sends Bálor into the ropes. Dropkick by Hayes. Hayes ties Bálor up in the ropes and lands the fadeaway. Bálor rolls out of the ring. Pluncha by Hayes. After the break, Bálor lands multiple chops. Hayes misses a splash off the second rope. Hayes lands a flurry of strikes.
Springboard clothesline by Hayes. Bálor kicks out. Hayes hits the ropes and gets turned inside out by a lariat from Bálor. Bálor stomps Hayes. Slingblade by Bálor. Bálor sets up the Woo dropkick. Hayes counters with a superkick. Slingshot DDT by Hayes. Bálor kicks out! Bálor lands a gut buster. Hayes stumbles into the corner. Woo dropkick by Bálor. Bálor goes up top and hits the Coup de Grace for the win.
Winner- Finn Bálor
