“That never gets old”- WWE Universe in splits after 30-year-old star emulates Eddie Guerrero’s iconic spot on SmackDown
Former NXT Champion took pages from Eddie Guerrero's handbook to outsmart his opponent during his match on SmackDown.

Braun Strowman and Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown (via WWE)
This week’s SmackDown delivered a thrilling clash between Carmelo Hayes and Braun Strowman in the United States Championship #1 contender’s match. While The Monster Among Men was favored to dominate, the former NXT Champion had other plans. In a clever nod to WWE legend Eddie Guerrero, Hayes pulled off a crafty maneuver to secure his victory and advance.
During the closing moments of the match, Carmelo Hayes grabbed a steel chair and slammed it against the canvas. In a shocking twist, the 30-year-old handed the chair to Strowman and pretended to be struck as he dropped to the mat. As the referee turned around, he saw The Monster Among Men holding the chair and immediately disqualified him, awarding Hayes the victory.
It was a classic tribute to Eddie Guerrero, who famously used the same tactic during his wrestling career. Moves like these cemented him as the master of “Lying, Cheating, and Stealing.” For Hayes, it was a clever homage to a legend, but for Strowman, it was a nightmare. Expecting an easy victory, The Monster Among Men instead found himself outsmarted and eliminated from contention.
MELO DID THE ICONIC EDDIE GUERRERO SPOT AND WON#SmackDown
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 1, 2025
pic.twitter.com/uRMxPCP11Y
While Hayes outsmarted the former Universal Champion, his momentum didn’t last long. In a high-stakes triple-threat match against Jacob Fatu and LA Knight, he put on a strong performance. However, The Defiant One pinned Hayes to secure the victory. Now, questions linger about what lies ahead for the 30-year-old star in WWE.
WWE Universe reacts to Carmelo Hayes’ iconic spot on SmackDown
Carmelo Hayes impressed the WWE Universe with his performance on this week’s SmackDown. Fans quickly recognized his clever homage to Eddie Guerrero and praised the moment as a timeless tactic of cunning heels in WWE. However, some viewed it as a rough night for Braun Strowman, who fell victim to Hayes’ strategy.

Furthermore, fans flooded the comment section with reactions, expressing their respect and admiration for Eddie Guerrero. From the diverse range of opinions, here are some of the top fan reactions on X:
That never gets old
— Florida Man 🤪 (@DaveInTheHSV) March 1, 2025
Lie cheat steal
— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) March 1, 2025
Smart move Melo melo can’t miss
— Red Carpet Ring (@redcarpetring) March 1, 2025
That was awesome 😂😂
— Cricketwood (@thecricketwood) March 1, 2025
Melo channeling Eddie’s legendary trick? Love to see it! Viva la raza! 🔥 #SmackDown
— Shauvik Kumar (@shauvikkumar) March 1, 2025
My Goat 🐐. Now go get your championship 😢
— The Wrestling Gawd 😩 (@SensibleGuy100) March 1, 2025
MY GUYYYYYYYYYY😭😭😭😭😂😂😂😂
— Fola (@manlikefola_) March 1, 2025
Moreover, the WWE Universe rallied behind Hayes, advocating for him to receive a significant push on the main roster. Fans expressed excitement about seeing more of his craftiness in WWE, believing he has the potential to be a breakout star. Some even noted that the 30-year-old has the look of a champion, and when combined with his cunning tactics, he could become a legendary figure in the making.