WWE: Potential Call-up Plans for Carmelo Hayes, CM Punk Rumor Killer, Cody Rhodes Retracts The Rock Comments

Potential Main Roster Call-up Plans for Carmelo Hayes

WWE reportedly is currently working on potential main roster call-up plans for NXT talent Carmelo Hayes, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported that his sources stated that WWE officials recently held talks regarding the idea of Hayes potentially joining the Hurt Business with MVP, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, and Bobby Lashley for his call-up from NXT.

Meltzer reported that while WWE officials have held talks of late regarding plans for Hayes’ main roster call-up, it is currently unlikely to happen until after his match with Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship at NXT’s Stand & Deliver 2023 event on April 1st in Los Angeles, California.

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CM Punk Joining WWE Rumor Killer

As noted before, CM Punk was involved in a backstage fight incident following AEW’s All Out 2022 event this past September and is currently not expected to return to the company following the end of his current suspension.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the recent reports of former AEW producer Ace Steel being backstage at this past January’s WWE Royal Rumble 2023 event are not true. These same debunked reports had speculated that the reason for Steel’s visit was to potentially negotiate a deal for CM Punk in the company.

Meltzer reported that Steel was not at the event nor would it even be legally possible for Punk to negotiate a deal with WWE due to him still being under contract with AEW.

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Cody Rhodes “Walks Back” on Prior Comments About The Rock Not Needed for WrestleMania 39

As noted before, Cody Rhodes stated in a recent interview with The Daily Mail that WWE’s current storylines for WrestleMania 39 are better than any storyline that would involve the return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the event.

Sports Illustrated held a recent interview with Rhodes. One of the topics discussed included Rhodes clarifying and retracting his prior comments about Johnson for this year’s WrestleMania 39 event.

“I said the other day, and I said it in a pretty nice way, ‘all respect to the Rock, I like what we have.’ I’m going to walk that one back. WrestleMania is amazing. If Rock decides to come to WrestleMania, please. Simply because, we’re able to have WrestleMania becase of someone like The Rock, and Rock was able to have WrestleMania because of somebody like (Hulk) Hogan, and because of the Dustys [Dusty Rhodes], the Flairs [Ric Flair], the Pipers [Roddy Piper]. Our industry doesn’t just exist, the content is so important in keeping it healthy and keeping it going and respecting these long-time fans. I hope I didn’t talk out of turn because I absolutely adore The Rock and would love it if he was present in any setting. His family is massively important to what we do and if Rock decides to show up to WrestleMania, Hollywood would love that. I will say, if Rock doesn’t come to WrestleMania, we have an unbelievable card, if not the best ever, at the biggest ever in terms of the financials, the gates, two days in Hollywood. It’s a win-win.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com