In a recent interview with Uproxx, Carmelo Hayes addressed the topic of weight classes in professional wrestling and shared his thoughts on wrestling much larger opponents.
Hayes will defend the NXT Championship against Ilja Dragunov at NXT No Mercy 2023.
Hayes said, “One time one of my coaches here, he said when you watch Shawn Michaels versus the Undertaker, you’re not looking at big guy, little guy. If you really think back on it, you’re just looking at an icon, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker. So, it’s the same energy. I don’t try and carry myself like a cruiserweight. On paper, yeah, I’m a cruiserweight. But in the ring, you’re not going to get that type of energy from me at all. I’m just as big as whoever my opponent is. And that’s kind of the mindset that I walk into every match with.”
On a recent edition of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Paul Wight discussed his long-standing interest in commentary work.
Wight previously spoke at length with WWE’s Michael Cole about the idea and has now moved to consult with other broadcasters in his current role in AEW. He said,
“Absolutely, yeah. It’s really funny how things transitioned. For years, I talked to Michael Cole about announcing. I talked to Kevin Dunne, I talked to Michael Cole. I would pick Michael Cole’s brain a lot. I always respected Michael Cole so much, just some of the little things he would tell me, the way he talked about my character when I was competing, just some of the stuff he did. So I always thought that that’s who I was going to cut my teeth under, so to speak, in announcing, aaa Michael Cole. That opportunity didn’t present itself. Now the opportunity to do commentary presented itself here in AEW. I’m working with Tony Schiavone, I’m working JR, I’m working with Taz, Excalibur. I’ve got so many great, experienced announcers that are giving me my own little thing. Is it a play-by-play thing? Is it more of a gorilla monsoon thing? I think what kind of works for me is, I’ve tried to roll into that. Just when I started to get my rhythm, but that’s business. I’m not mad about it. I know that I can take the time that I took on Elevation and process and the next time an opportunity presents itself, I’ll be ready to go.”
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Carmelo Hayes on Wrestling Larger Opponents and Weight Classes in Professional Wrestling
In a recent interview with Uproxx, NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes shared his thoughts on the topic of weight classes in professional wrestling and how he approaches wrestling much larger opponents. Hayes, who is set to defend his NXT Championship against Ilja Dragunov at NXT No Mercy 2023, discussed his mindset and the energy he brings to the ring.
Hayes began by referencing one of his coaches who once said that when watching a match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, fans are not focused on the size difference between the two wrestlers. Instead, they see two iconic figures in the wrestling world. Hayes emphasized that he doesn’t try to carry himself like a cruiserweight, despite being classified as one on paper. He believes that in the ring, he is just as big as his opponent and approaches every match with that mindset.
This perspective highlights the importance of mindset and confidence in professional wrestling. Hayes understands that size may play a role in certain aspects of the sport, but he chooses not to let it define him or limit his abilities. By adopting this mindset, he is able to bring a level of energy and intensity to his matches that transcends weight classes.
The discussion on weight classes in professional wrestling is an interesting one. While weight classes are commonly used in combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts to ensure fair competition, professional wrestling operates under different principles. In wrestling, the focus is often on storytelling, athleticism, and entertainment value rather than strict adherence to weight divisions.
However, weight classes can still play a role in certain promotions or matches. For example, the cruiserweight division in WWE has traditionally showcased wrestlers under a certain weight limit who specialize in high-flying and fast-paced action. This division allows for unique matchups and showcases the agility and athleticism of these competitors.
On the other hand, some wrestlers have successfully broken the mold and achieved success regardless of their size. Superstars like Rey Mysterio and Daniel Bryan have proven that skill, technique, and charisma can overcome any perceived limitations based on size.
In the world of professional wrestling, it is the combination of various factors such as in-ring ability, character development, and storytelling that ultimately determines a wrestler’s success. While weight classes may exist in certain promotions or divisions, it is the talent and dedication of the wrestlers that truly shine through.
As for Carmelo Hayes, his mindset and approach to wrestling larger opponents demonstrate his determination to prove himself as a formidable competitor regardless of his size. His upcoming match against Ilja Dragunov at NXT No Mercy 2023 will undoubtedly showcase his skills and further solidify his place as a top talent in the industry.
In conclusion, Carmelo Hayes’ perspective on weight classes in professional wrestling sheds light on the importance of mindset and confidence in overcoming perceived limitations. While weight divisions may exist in certain promotions, it is ultimately the talent, skill, and dedication of the wrestlers that determine their success. Hayes’ upcoming match against Ilja Dragunov will be a testament to his abilities and further establish him as a rising star in the world of professional wrestling.