Triple H backs former NXT Champion despite his loss against Cody Rhodes on SmackDown 

The 14-time World Champion speaks highly of Carmelo Hayes.

Triple H backs former NXT Champion despite his loss against Cody Rhodes on SmackDown 

Cody Rhodes and Triple H [via- WWE]

Cody Rhodes had his first televised match since WrestleMania XL on this week’s SmackDown. He took on the blue-brand newbie, Carmelo Hayes, in the main event. The two went out in front of a packed house in Cincinnati, much to their delight. The Undisputed WWE Champion kept his head despite Melo’s act of defiance. The latter’s exploits eventually succumbed to Rhodes’ Cross-Rhodes. After the match, Triple H backed the 29-year-old.

The WWE CCO took to X and posed alongside Hayes. The former had nothing but appreciation for the erstwhile NXT Champion. Hunter lauded the main roster-bound Superstar for taking Cody Rhodes to his limits and putting the entire SmackDown roster on notice. Earlier on in the night, Hayes was drafted to Friday nights.

YouTube video

Last week on NXT, Carmelo Hayes fell short against former ally-turned-foe, Trick Williams, inside a Steel Cage. It served as a rematch from their previous encounter at Stand & Deliver PLE during the WrestleMania weekend. After he couldn’t subjugate Trick’s gambit in back-to-back attempts, fans sensed that Melo’s time on NXT might be up. And they were right.

FS Video
After a performance like that against the Undisputed WWE Champion @CodyRhodes, @Carmelo_WWE has shown the entire #SmackDown roster that he is HIM. #WWEDraft
Triple H on X

The A-Champion would be a mainstay on SmackDown and by the looks of it, he’s here to stay. The way he fared against Cody was awe-inspiring. However, during the closing moments of their one-on-one tussle, an abrupt spot almost blew up Hayes’ inaugural night as a SmackDown-exclusive star. Both men went airborne off the springboard but nobody home. Rhodes landed right on his shoulder and it didn’t look good.

Cody Rhodes faced off with AJ Styles to close out SmackDown

After a transient injury scare on the show, Cody Rhodes seems alright. He was even confronted by AJ Styles following his emphatic triumph on SmackDown. They’re destined to battle it out next Saturday in France at Backlash for the WWE Championship.

AJ Styles and Cody Rhodes
AJ Styles and Cody Rhodes on SmackDown [via- WWE]

Both Styles and Rhodes remained unscathed last night but there’s still a week to spare before they lock-up in an official capacity. They kicked things off this week to sign on the dotted line. The Phenomenal One said that it was cool to see Cody finishing his story against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL.

However, it’d be a shame to lose the title almost a month later to him on May 4. The American Nightmare was reverent towards AJ but affirmed that it’s not a dream match for him, rather it’s a must-win predicament.

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