Before Carmelo Hayes joined “WWE SmackDown” in 2024, he became one of the most decorated stars of the company’s developmental brand, having held the NXT Championship for 182 days and becoming a two-time North American Champion. There’s no doubt that “WWE NXT” viewed Hayes as their top star at one point, but it didn’t come without great expectations, as the 31-year-old recently explained that Senior VP of Talent Development Creative of “NXT” Shawn Michaels often set the bar high for him, but also provided guidance as the brand prepared him for the future.

“I didn’t think the championships really made a difference or not. But I do remember winning them, and ‘HBK’ being like, ‘Hey, you’re winning both of these titles. You’re going to have to step up and really prove to a lot of people that probably don’t think that you deserve it why you’re winning both of these titles,'” he explained on the “Battleground Podcast.” “At the time, we were overlapping the ‘Black and Gold’ era and we were just putting that final stamp, I hate to put it as like a nail in the coffin to ‘Black and Gold,’ but it felt like, hey we’re starting something new … Shawn and I had a bunch of talks like that and he mentioned to me a lot of times like, ‘Hey, we’re running with you.’ Like, ‘Hey, I need you to do your part. I need you to be my guy.'”

Hayes also touched on being popular with the “WWE NXT” audience, knowing that he won the fans over, but believes the crowd has always been “wishy-washy” and ultimately support who is hot in the moment.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Battleground Podcast” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

WWE commentator Wade Barrett has opened up about the current WWE management, noting that it’s a sea change from when he was an active star.

Barrett, in his recent interview with Sam Roberts on the “Notsam Wrestling” podcast, contrasted his fortunes in WWE after the end of Nexus, where he had a huge dip in his WWE status when he portrayed the Bad News Barrett character. He discussed whether he offers advice to young WWE stars who have been called up to the main roster from “NXT” to help temper their expectations owing to his experience. Barrett believes that WWE stars are in much safer hands now than when he was wrestling, which is down to the change in management.

“So I think — as controversial as this might sound, and I’m trying to be diplomatic here — I think management today are a lot better than they were back in my day in the ring. And I think when a certain superstar, whoever it may be, has some momentum, I think the emphasis from management and creative these days is to continue to build upon that momentum. Whereas that was not the attitude back in the era that we are referring to, when I was in Nexus. So, I think there is a significant change there,” he said. “So, I’m not going up to the young guys [saying] ‘Hey guys, trust me, you think your dreams are getting made now? They’re going to get ruined. Oh, this business will break your heart, kid. Trust me on that.’ I’m not doing that.”

Barrett joked that he wondered if he should run the business down for these younger stars, adding that he would reserve that for when he gets fired by WWE and starts his own podcast. Several stars who have worked under both Vince McMahon and Triple H, like CM Punk and Carlito, have preferred working under the latter to the former, which validates the claims made by Barrett.

“The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace is back in the ring ahead of WrestleMania season.

On Friday, Grace appeared in singles competition against Zelina Vega, as part of a taped match for “WWE Main Event,” which will air at a later date. A spectator at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, snapped a few photos of Grace’s return, which was posted on X [formerly known as Twitter].

Zelina Vega vs Jordynne Grace to kick off Main Event pic.twitter.com/D5rIyOsFOE

— Ramon 2K26 (@Ramon3MR) April 10, 2026

In her unaired match on March 6, the former first-ever TNA Knockouts Triple Crown winner obtained an ankle injury when she leaped out of the corner and away from the former and longest-ever NXT UK Women’s Champion, Alba Fyre. It appeared she twisted her ankle. After the match, Grace was sporting a walking boot standing alongside Chelsea Green, who is also recovering from an ankle injury. A photo was posted of the two injured parties on social media.

Joining “WWE SmackDown” this past January, Grace has had her fair share of victories over stars like Green, Fyre, and Candice LeRae, which would be her most recent televised opponent on the February 27th Elimination Chamber go-home edition of “SmackDown.” She did have a go with the current WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, but fell short of becoming the new women’s champion ahead of “The Grandest Stage of Them All.” At this time, Grace is still awaiting to capture her first piece of gold in WWE.