Carmelo Hayes Challenges CM Punk to Winner-Takes-All Match

CM Punk wants Carmelo Hayes’ United States Championship—and now Carmelo Hayes is daring him to put his WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line as well.

After Punk publicly called out Hayes at the Royal Rumble post-show on January 31, the United States Champion finally broke his silence on the February 3 episode of the Beyond The Bell podcast. Hayes didn’t hold back—offering respect, but drawing a bold line in the sand. He first confirmed he’s open to the challenge, but only if both titles are up for grabs.

“He called me out at the Rumble. Yeah, I definitely want to wrestle CM Punk. If we do it, it’s got to be winner takes all—double champ. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Hayes then talked about growing up watching Punk and acknowledged the veteran’s behind-the-scenes presence in WWE. Despite Punk’s polarizing reputation, Hayes says many younger wrestlers still look to him for guidance.

“I’ve been watching him since I was a kid, right? I’ve looked up to CM Punk, and he’s been a mentor to a lot of the younger guys backstage, despite what people want to say. He’s always been a mentor to a lot of us, and he’s always excited to see us have our first moments.”

But admiration didn’t stop him from talking tough. Hayes made it clear he thinks Punk isn’t ready for his level of intensity—and the weekly grind that comes with holding gold.

“As far as getting in the ring with him? I’d probably run circles around him, honestly. I mean, no—I think CM Punk’s a great in-ring performer, but I don’t think he’s ready for what I’ve got. Because, man, I’m just going right now, bro. Week to week to week with it.”

Hayes wrapped up with one more jab, leaning into the tension and throwing down the gauntlet for what could be a huge match, should it happen somewhere down the line.

“Yeah, I did say it. And I’m very much looking forward to that match. I challenge CM Punk to really bring the heat, man. Like I said, he’s on a roll too. He’s having a great title reign. But we can go title reign for title reign—and I don’t think he’s touching Melo.”

CM Punk’s original promo aired after the 2026 Royal Rumble ended. While reflecting on his unfinished goals in WWE, he took direct aim at Hayes and his title.

“Gosh! At this stage, I’ve done it twice. The only thing I haven’t done is win the Royal Rumble. So, if I wanna be a completionist, I think I need to win the Royal Rumble, and there’s a title out there that I need to win to be the kind of a new age Grand Slam Champion, I think it might be the US Title. So, Carmelo Hayes! I’m coming for you.”

With both men now throwing down verbal gauntlets, a potential title-for-title match between Hayes and Punk could be one of WWE’s most compelling intergenerational matches in recent memory. So time will tell whether WWE will book this match in the future.

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