Trick Williams Hints At Carmelo Hayes Match Return

Trick Williams may have just opened the door for another match against Carmelo Hayes. During the WWE Backlash 2026 post-show, fans in the background started chanting for the former United States Champion as Williams and Lil Yachty sat with the post-show panel following Trick’s win over Sami Zayn. Rather than dismiss the chants, Trick leaned into the moment by asking the crowd directly if they wanted to see Trick vs. Melo, getting a strong response.

Trick Williams Open To Carmelo Hayes Match Rematch

“Y’all wanna see Trick versus Melo?” Williams asked the crowd, drawing a clear positive reaction. “The people have spoken. I mean, shoot. Let’s see what happens.” Lil Yachty added, “Melo can get it too.” The exchange was casual but pointed enough to suggest that Williams sees Hayes as a viable next challenger now that he has retained the United States Championship at Backlash. With the post-Backlash creative landscape opening up, this is exactly the kind of unprompted plant that often becomes a real angle in the following weeks.

Trick Williams And Carmelo Hayes NXT History

Williams and Hayes have an extensive shared history. Trick was first introduced as Melo’s associate years ago in NXT before Hayes turned on his friend, kicking off a months-long rivalry that became one of NXT’s defining feuds. Williams emerged from that program as one of the brand’s biggest stars, eventually capturing the NXT Championship and the TNA Championship. The two have already met on the main roster, with Hayes beating Williams in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match this past February. Hayes has been off television since dropping a United States Title rematch to Sami Zayn on SmackDown before WrestleMania 42, making a rematch with Trick a natural reset for both men. A run between the two with the United States Championship on the line would also give SmackDown a fresh main event-level program heading into the summer pay-per-view stretch.