Carmelo Hayes has officially transitioned from NXT to SmackDown, making a significant impact during the 2024 WWE Draft. His momentum continued this week when he won a high-stakes match to qualify for the Money In The Bank ladder match, and now it appears he aims to adopt Randy Orton’s iconic ‘Legend Killer’ gimmick.
On the June 21st edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Hayes faced off against Randy Orton and Tama Tonga in an intense match to determine who would qualify for the Money In The Bank ladder match. The stakes were high, and all three competitors delivered a fierce performance. After a grueling contest, Hayes managed to roll up Randy Orton, securing the pinfall and earning a coveted spot in the ladder match set to take place in Toronto, Canada.
Following his victory, Hayes appeared on SmackDown LowDown, where he confidently addressed his achievement. Highlighting his triumph over Orton, he hinted at his ambitions to take on Orton’s legendary moniker.
“Yeah, I did pin Randy Orton. But come on Kayla, what did you expect? I’m Him. He is a 14-time champ, [a] legend killer. Maybe I should start calling myself a legend killer.”
This bold declaration has sparked considerable excitement among fans, who are eager to see how Hayes will fare with this new persona. With his recent win over a WWE legend, Hayes is already demonstrating his potential to live up to and perhaps even surpass the legacy of Orton’s ‘Legend Killer’ days.
Hayes’ transition from NXT to SmackDown has been nothing short of spectacular. He finished up his time in NXT after losing to Trick Williams and was called up to SmackDown on the opening night of the 2024 WWE Draft. Since then, Hayes has been making waves on the blue brand, quickly establishing himself as a formidable competitor.
As he prepares for the Money In The Bank ladder match, Hayes is in a prime position to continue proving his prowess and establishing his place on SmackDown. His recent performance has set high expectations for his future, and fans are excited to see how he will leverage this momentum.
The Money In The Bank ladder match is one of WWE’s most thrilling and unpredictable events, providing the winner with a contract for a championship match at any time within the next year. Winning this match could catapult Hayes into the main event scene, providing him with opportunities to challenge for the WWE Championship.
Hayes’ ambition to take on the ‘Legend Killer’ persona signifies his desire to carve out a unique and impactful legacy in WWE. Randy Orton’s ‘Legend Killer’ gimmick was instrumental in his rise to superstardom, and Hayes seems poised to follow in those footsteps. However, he faces a tall order in living up to the high bar set by Orton.
As fans anticipate the upcoming Money In The Bank event, all eyes will be on Carmelo Hayes to see if he can capitalize on his recent success and further establish himself as a future main eventer. Whether he will indeed become Mr. Money In The Bank and fully embrace the ‘Legend Killer’ identity remains to be seen. However, his confidence and recent achievements suggest that he is more than capable of carrying this legacy forward.
Do you feel Carmelo Hayes will rise to the challenge and become the new ‘Legend Killer’? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
