Carmelo Hayes: I Would Probably Run Circles Around CM Punk If I Had the Chance to Wrestle Him

Carmelo Hayes weighs in on how he would do against the Best in the World.

The current WWE United States Champion has had himself a pretty good start to 2026, ending 2025 by becoming a champion and heading into his first WrestleMania with gold around his waist, however, the man who labels himself as HIM also believes if given the chance, he would run circles around the current World Heavyweight Champion.

“Yeah, I mean I definitely want to wrestle CM Punk. I had made a joke on Twitter, I was like, if we do, it’s got to be winner takes all. That’d be crazy,” said Hayes on “Beyond The Bell Podcast“. “I’d probably run circles around him, honestly. I think CM Punk’s a great in-ring performer, but I don’t think he’s ready for what I got, ’cause, man, I’m just going right now. I’m very much so looking forward to that match. And I challenge CM Punk to really, you know, bring the heat, man.”

Hayes has a lot of praise for CM Punk, but that does not mean he would allow Punk to look past him if the two were to lock up in the squared circle one day, a match that Hayes will be looking forward when it’s eventually set.

h/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.

If you enjoy Bodyslam’s content, you can help donate to the site here. You can also visit our PWTees store and buy Bodyslam official merchandise here.

You can listen to all of Bodyslam’s podcasts by following us on Spotify and subscribing to our YouTube Channel, Twitch, Apple, Google, or any of your favorite podcast platforms.

Follow me on X: @WhoElseButRami
Follow us on X: @BodyslamNet