Ilja Dragunov: Carmelo Hayes Not Having A Match At WrestleMania 42 Is Not Gonna Do Any Harm To Him… People That Work Like Him Get Their Payoff

Dragunov sends positive energy towards Hayes.

The history between Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov dates back to their time together in NXT. They battled over the NXT Championship, and now that both are on Friday Night SmackDown, they’ve done battle over the United States Championship.

Dragunov spoke about Hayes during an appearance on The Ringer Wrestling Show. He commented on neither of them having a spot on the WrestleMania 42 card. Dragunov went on to state that Hayes not being on the show will not hurt him, because people who work like Hayes always get their payoff.

“I was just talking about that tattoo. You kind of roll with the punches. What would you say? Disappointment is such a hard word. I’m living my absolute best life. I have amazing performances with Carmelo (Hayes), and I think, honestly, everything that we achieved together, from NXT, to the main roster, not having a match on WrestleMania, this year, is only one thing that we don’t have, compared to all the things that we achieved in front of the audience. All the memories and moments we gave to the people that were watching us fighting. It is nothing that anyone could take away from us, and people will remember this, and somewhere down the line, it’s all gonna make sense… And look at Melo. Melo is on the main roster since one and a half years? Roundabout. I was out for a year with the ACL tear. But, looking at him, how much he connects with the audience, how much people, like, are on their feet when he has his entrance. Not having a match this year on WrestleMania is not gonna do any harm to him, and people that work like him get their payoff.”

Hayes lost the United States Title to Sami Zayn on the lead-up to WrestleMania. The U.S. Title match for WWE’s biggest show of the year is Zayn defending against Trick Williams.

If the quote in this article is used, please credit The Ringer Wrestling Show with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.