Cody Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, found himself in the midst of a heated altercation with former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes backstage on the November 22, 2024, episode of SmackDown. The tension between the two had been building for weeks, and it finally boiled over into a physical confrontation. During an interview with Byron Saxton on SmackDown LowDown, Carmelo Hayes shared his perspective on the situation, criticizing Cody Rhodes for his reactions to Kevin Owens’ comments earlier in the night.
According to Hayes, Cody Rhodes’ reactions were fueled by his own insecurities and inability to handle criticisms. “What do you expect when you get a guy like, Cody, who gets a truth told about him? Kevin Owens puts him on blast in front of everybody and he can’t handle it,” Hayes said. “And the first thing he does is he comes back and he takes it out on me, talking about [how] I need to reevaluate the first-round draft pick. The only thing that needs reevaluation is his friendships. Who needs enemies when you got a friend like Cody Rhodes?”
This tense exchange comes on the heels of a heated promo segment earlier in the night, where Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens hashed out their differences. During the segment, the Undisputed WWE Champion proclaimed that Owens’ self-loathing stemmed from his failure to reach the pinnacle of the wrestling world in recent years. Kevin Owens, in turn, declared his hatred for Cody Rhodes, seemingly fueled by his own frustrations.
The confrontation between Carmelo Hayes and Cody Rhodes underscored the simmering tensions between the two men, who have a history dating back to April 2024, when Hayes was drafted to the SmackDown brand. In their initial encounter, Rhodes emerged victorious, and it remains to be seen whether Hayes will be able to exact his revenge in their upcoming rematch.
The match, announced by WWE management, is set to take place on the November 29 edition of SmackDown. However, it remains unclear whether Cody Rhodes will be able to put aside his differences with Carmelo Hayes long enough to secure a big win before going on the Survivor Series: WarGames Premium Live Event. The tension between the two is still palpable, and fans can expect the drama to continue to unfold in the coming weeks.
The rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Carmelo Hayes is a complex one, with both men having legitimate reasons to be angry with each other. For Hayes, the frustration stems from being drafted to the SmackDown brand and having to navigate a new terrain, while for Rhodes, the animosity comes from feeling threatened by Hayes’ natural talent and charisma.
As the match approaches, signs point to a dramatic and intense encounter, with both men hell-bent on proving their superiority over the other. Will Cody Rhodes be able to maintain his grip on the top of the WWE mountain, or will Carmelo Hayes be able to dethrone him and claim the spotlight for himself? Only time will tell.
The repercussions of the backstage brawl are still being felt, with tensions running high between the two sides. The Undisputed WWE Champion’s actions have raised questions about his leadership and ability to handle criticism, with many fans calling into question his motives and loyalties.
In the end, it’s clear that the drama between Cody Rhodes and Carmelo Hayes is far from over. With alliances tested and hatreds kindled, the stage is set for a dramatic and intense season of WWE action. Will one man emerge victorious, or will it be a never-ending battle for supremacy? One thing is certain – the drama will only continue to unfold as the weeks go by.
