Carmelo Hayes On Potential CM Punk Match: I’ll Probably Run Circles Around Him, I Don’t Think He’s Ready For What I Got

Skylar RussellFebruary 3, 2026, 2:21 pm

Carmelo Hayes wants to wrestle CM Punk.

During a recent interview with Complex News, CM Punk noted that he wants to face Carmelo Hayes, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams in the future. Now, Hayes is responding.

Speaking with the Beyond The Bell podcast, Hayes talked about his desire to wrestle Punk and how he’s been a mentor to a ton of the young names in WWE.

“Yeah man, I definitely want to wrestle CM Punk. I made a joke on Twitter, I was like if we do it, it’s gotta be winner takes all. That’d be crazy. Punk, he’s actually a guy, man. I’ve been watching him obviously since I was a kid. I’ve looked up to CM Punk and he’s been a mentor to a lot of the younger guys backstage, despite what people want to say, right? He’s always been a mentor to a lot of us and he’s always excited to see us have our first moments. I remember when I won the title, he was in gorilla with a tear in his eye. I couldn’t believe it, I’m like, ‘Bro, why do you care so much?’ But it’s also just him seeing other people have these accomplishments for their first time and remember where he was when he had his first accomplishment. It’s just very cool that he’s like that. As far as getting in the ring with him, I’ll probably run circles around him honestly. I think CM Punk is a great in-ring performer, but I don’t think he’s ready for what I got. I’m just going right now, bro. I did say it and I’m very much so looking forward to that match. I challenge CM Punk to really bring the heat man. He’s on a roll too and he’s having a great title reign, but we can go title reign for title reign and I don’t think he’s touching Melo.”

Hayes has defended his United States Championship on every episode of SmackDown in 2026. As of publish time, he has not been announced for this week’s SmackDown, but you can still check out the current lineup for the show by clicking here.