Carmelo Hayes was originally set to compete at WrestleMania 42, but WWE ultimately made a late decision to take him off the card, altering his trajectory heading into the event.

In recent weeks, fans noticed Hayes was missing from the WrestleMania lineup, especially after his United States Championship reign came to an end. Reports indicate that Hayes had been scheduled for the show roughly a month and a half in advance before WWE shifted plans and moved in a different direction.

The timing of that change stands out. Hayes lost the United States Title to Sami Zayn following interference from Trick Williams, which led to a finish that cost him the championship. That result quickly changed his momentum, and he was unable to regain it in the weeks that followed.

That decision has drawn criticism from fans who believed Hayes should have entered the event as champion instead, creating backlash over Sami Zayn in the process.

Hayes was given another opportunity against Zayn on the April 3 episode of SmackDown, but the outcome remained the same. After the rematch, his path toward WrestleMania became less clear. Meanwhile, Zayn continued forward and is now scheduled to defend the title against Trick Williams at the event.

With that direction locked in, Hayes was removed from the WrestleMania 42 card entirely. There is still no official word on what his role would have been, but the late nature of the change has made the situation notable.

For a rising star like Hayes, missing WrestleMania after previously being included in plans is a setback. He had been heavily involved in the United States Title picture, and his absence from the biggest show of the year has raised questions about WWE’s creative direction during this period.

The situation highlights how quickly plans can shift, even for talent positioned in key storylines. Hayes now looks ahead to what comes next following a sudden change during a major point in the WWE calendar.

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