Austin Theory & Carmelo Hayes Injury Update Following Match Stoppage

Carmelo Hayes’ first steps into a WWE main roster call-up could have been shattered on last night’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. After holding some contract talks backstage with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, NXT superstar Hayes competed against Austin Theory in a match on the show after Grayson Waller (who Hayes beat a few weeks back) turned down the challenge initially.

During their match, Theory and Hayes came crashing down from the top rope when attempting to perform an Avalanche Flatliner, but it looked as though Theory’s head had made impact with the mat first in a very scary moment. Hayes’ head also collided with Theory, putting both men’s safety and condition into question. The referee quickly put up the “X” sign and stopped the match then and there.

In the aftermath of this, WWE released a statement on X which revealed that both men were okay after the match stoppage.

“UPDATE: Following their match tonight on #SmackDown, 

@_Theory1 and @Carmelo_WWEwere evaluated for injuries.

They both suffered face contusions, and will both be okay.”

Thankfully, Theory & Hayes were unscathed when it comes to serious injuries, only suffering minor ones.