Professional wrestling fans will always make sure their voices are heard. From the rise of the “Yes” movement, to KofiMania, to Becky Lynch’s emergence as “The Man,” fan involvement consistently plays a part. There’s a new movement rising on social media. #WeWantMelo started trending on Monday, July 28, and it is clear that fans want to see Carmelo Hayes reach success on the main roster.
The WWE NXT to main roster pipeline has created some great moments and standout stars. Think of all the names who’ve pushed through the black and yellow brand to do great things on either SmackDown or Monday Night Raw. There are several performers who stand among the best in the business today.
That trend continues today. Look at some of the former champions who’ve moved up in recent years. Roxanne Perez, Giulia, Bron Breakker, Lyra Valkyria, and Tiffany Stratton all held the NXT Championship over their head at some point. Now, each one of those names is either a current champion, or a former champion on the main roster. They’ve found success and continue to carve out the path that will eventually lead to the main event for each of them.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t stand true for Carmelo Hayes. Hayes, who was picked ahead of many of those in the WWE Draft, has yet to capture a title on the main roster. He’s quietly slid into the position of enhancement talent, and his biggest fans are taking to social media to show him support using the #WeWantMelo tag.
Carmelo Hayes was ranked #13 on the #PWI500 two years ago! He deserves a spotlight. He has the potential. He has proven that he is a reliable worker and a star. #WeWantMelo pic.twitter.com/xeHJFbiit5
— Vin (@WhoisVindictive) July 28, 2025
“Carmelo Hayes was ranked number 13 on the PWI500 two years ago (2023)!” wrote Twitter user WhoIsVindictive. “He deserves a spotlight. He has the potential. He has proven that he is a reliable worker and a star.”
Hayes position on the main roster plays directly into one main criticism of Triple H’s booking. Black men on the main roster aren’t being leveraged well. The same could be said for Asian men. As women of color pack, the main event scene on both shows, it’s a glaring issue that Black and Asian men aren’t getting the same opportunities.
Naysayers will point to the Black male stars thriving in NXT. That shouldn’t be ignored, but it also shows how big the problem is on the main roster. As men like Oba Femi, Ricky Starks, and Trick Williams stand on the cusp of their own call-ups to the main roster, fans are right to question how they will be used once they get there. Melo’s booking doesn’t give any hope for things being different when they get their shot.
WWE has a problem. Black men aren’t being booked as top singles performers on the main roster. It isn’t a new problem, but it is one that those in power continue to ignore. Will things change? Don’t get your hopes up, but fans are showing support for Carmelo Hayes with the #WeWantMelo social media movement that is underway.