There is no backstage heat on Carmelo Hayes, according to Sean Ross Sapp, who said he has only heard the opposite.
Asked about Hayes’ reputation during a Fightful Select Q&A, Sapp said the perception problem sits elsewhere.
“I’ve never heard anything about him being viewed negatively backstage. He’s always been referred to as dependable, professional, and with a lot of upside.”
“I think WWE definitely waits too long to pull the trigger on a lot of talent to their full potential, which is why people can develop longtime perceptions of wrestlers not being main eventers.”
Sapp also drew a line between eras of support for the former NXT Champion. “He was a favorite of Shawn Michaels in NXT, but that doesn’t always translate to being one of Triple H’s favorites.”
Hayes challenged Baron Corbin for the WWE United States Championship in his hometown on the August 14 SmackDown in Boston.