A heated rivalry is brewing between WWE's The Miz and Carmelo Hayes, and it's sparked an unexpected defense from an AEW champion.
For weeks, The Miz has been eyeing Carmelo Hayes' WWE United States Championship, with their past tag team partnership adding an extra layer of tension. On the January 23rd episode of SmackDown, The Miz took matters into his own hands, interfering in Hayes' U.S. Title match against Ilja Dragunov. This move cost Dragunov his chance at the title, and it didn't go unnoticed by Hayes, who took to social media to express his frustration.
"Thank You Montréal. Thank You Ilja. F*ck you Miz. #SmackDown," Hayes wrote on Twitter, sending a clear message to his former partner.
But here's where it gets interesting. AEW National Champion Ricochet, a fellow wrestler with a history of competing against Hayes, jumped to The Miz's defense. In a tweet, Ricochet stated, "You wouldn't be anything without the Miz. Show some respect." This unexpected alliance has sparked a new narrative in the wrestling world.
Ricochet's comment is a nod to his own experience facing Hayes in the past. The two wrestlers went head-to-head for the NXT North American Championship at WWE NXT Worlds Collide 2022. Despite being an AEW roster member since 2024, Ricochet's past battles with Hayes make his defense of The Miz all the more intriguing.
The wrestling community is divided on this one. Some see Ricochet's comment as a sign of respect for a fellow veteran, while others view it as a controversial move, especially given the ongoing rivalry between WWE and AEW.
What do you think? Is Ricochet's defense of The Miz a sign of sportsmanship, or is it a strategic move to stir up controversy? Let us know in the comments!
