Summary

Carmelo Hayes reflected on his NXT run from 2021 to 2024 and said he learned quickly how fast crowd reactions can change in that environment.

Hayes, who is now on SmackDown, discussed the topic while appearing on the Battleground Podcast. He said the audience can elevate a performer on the way up, then move on once the next act catches fire.

Quote from Carmelo Hayes

"That crowd is wishy-washy, even still to this day. They’re never yours. They’re who’s hot in the moment, and I knew that and I understood that and it was one of those things where I had even did a promo with Trick (Williams) where it’s like they love you on the rise and then when it’s (the) next guy’s turn, they’ll switch on you, and that’s the truth. That crowd, they’ll make you but they’ll also break you."

How Hayes framed NXT crowd momentum

Hayes tying this to Trick Williams reinforces how central their dynamic was to his NXT arc, and it also explains why audience shifts became part of his character's presentation. For fans tracking his broader trajectory, that perspective adds context to the stretch after his U.S. title loss, where Trick Williams publicly backed Hayes before WrestleMania 42.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.