Ilja Dragunov has sent a message of support to Carmelo Hayes following both men missing out on a WrestleMania 42 spot, insisting that the work they have put in together will pay off in time.
Speaking on The Ringer Wrestling Show, Dragunov was asked about neither he nor Hayes being on the WrestleMania 42 card and reframed the situation to highlight the body of work they have built together rather than focusing on what they do not yet have.
“I was just talking about that. You kind of roll with the punches. Disappointment is such a hard word. I’m living my absolute best life. I have amazing performances with Carmelo, and I think, honestly, everything that we achieved together, from NXT to the main roster, not having a match on WrestleMania this year is only one thing that we don’t have, compared to all the things that we achieved in front of the audience. All the memories and moments we gave to the people that were watching us fighting. It is nothing that anyone could take away from us, and people will remember this, and somewhere down the line, it’s all gonna make sense. And look at Melo. Melo is on the main roster since one and a half years? Roundabout. I was out for a year with the ACL tear. But, looking at him, how much he connects with the audience, how much people are on their feet when he has his entrance. Not having a match this year on WrestleMania is not gonna do any harm to him, and people that work like him get their payoff,” Dragunov said.
Hayes lost the United States Championship to Sami Zayn in the lead-up to WrestleMania 42. Zayn defends the title against Trick Williams on night two of the show on Sunday, April 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit The Ringer Wrestling Show with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
