WWE Speed: Dragunov hints at return to NXT level feud with Carmelo Hayes after double elimination

Patrik Walker

•
WWE Speed: Dragunov hints at return to NXT level feud with Carmelo Hayes after double elimination image

When the two were fighting for dominance on NXT, Ilja Dragnuov and Carmelo Hayes had more than their fair share of run-ins with each other. To be more frank, their battles were some of the best ever on the Black and Gold Brand, and that helped propel them to the point of being drafted to the two major WWE brands.

They’ve been split ever since, with Dragunov being a midcard on RAW while Hayes spends his days as one on SmackDown, but the two were reunited to clash on WWE Speed this week and, as you might expect, they deleted each other altogether.

The timer expired with no one having defeated the other, so both were eliminated.

WATCH: HAYES, DRAGUNOV CHANNEL NXT FEUD FOR SPEED

It infuriated Hayes, and the Dragon is literally mad as well, hinting at a possible program of some sort for the two in the near future.

“A warrior lives to fight and he fights to win,” said Dragunov. “But, unfortunately, [Wednesday], I didn’t make it. And it’s funny how it doesn’t surprise me really, because if there’s one person who can push the Mad Dragon to the limit, it’s Carmelo Hayes. Yes, ‘Him’.”

WATCH: ANW feud breaks out over Cody Rhodes, Bloodline future

Should this renewed rivalry come to pass, however it needs to, it would be great for both superstars, though more so for Hayes than for Dragunov. That’s because while the latter is thriving in his storylines on RAW (plural) that include WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn and fellow former NXT all-star Bron Breakker, Hayes has been stuck in mud on SmackDown.

That’s evidenced by his latest loss at Money in the Bank and now, to remain relevant, he’s entering a new feud against Andrade outside of the Speed tournament, marking yet another pivot for his character in what’s beginning to feel like an endless search to find a program that justifies him not heading back to NXT.

Beefing with Andrade isn’t gonna do it, but a throwback beef against a sizzling Dragunov certainly could.

Patrik Walker

Patrik Walker Photo

Patrik [No C] Walker is an accredited, award-winning journalist and podcaster who has worked to become one of the most respected and recognizable forces covering the Dallas Cowboys. Having never lost his lifelong passion for the wrestling, the one-of-a-kind analyst is using his talents to complete a journey that began as a rambunctious kid wearing a championship belt fashioned from cardboard and aluminum foil, to the ranks of covering an industry that's had his heart pinned to the mat for decades now. Follow him on Twitter/X: VoiceOfTheStar.