During a backstage segment on SmackDown, WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed Carmelo Hayes that WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce had arranged for him to face an opponent from Raw. Hayes accepted the match after learning his opponent would be Akira Tozawa.
The match stemmed from Hayes’ actions at the Royal Rumble premium live event, where he attacked Tozawa during his entrance, leading to IShowSpeed taking the Alpha Academy member’s spot in the match.
Despite Tozawa’s strong offensive start, Hayes secured the victory. This win marks Hayes’ first singles victory since December 13, 2024, when he defeated Braun Strowman by count-out on SmackDown. Between these victories, Hayes competed in five televised singles matches, resulting in three losses and two no-contest decisions.
LET'S GO!!@TozawaAkira is wasting no time 👊#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/nLtQowP5TA
— WWE (@WWE) February 8, 2025