4 directions for Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown following draft selection: a new King, title pursuit & more

The first shocking pick of the 2024 Draft was made with SmackDown's second pick of the night. Former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes followed Bianca Belair as the blue brand's first two selections.

Hayes was also the only star picked in the first round to switch brands. RAW picked Jey Uso and Seth Rollins while Belair is already on SmackDown.

Now that the former NXT Champion is officially a member of SmackDown, he could go in one of the next four directions.

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#4. Carmelo Hayes joins the 2024 King of the Ring

The King of the Ring and Queen of the Ring tournaments will return this year. The last time they took place was in 2021 when Xavier Woods and Zelina Vega won their respective tournaments.

Commentators and stars have driven home the fact that it's a new era in WWE under Triple H. That was evident as an NXT star was picked over four stars who were former champions.

One way to make an immediate mark - other than winning a title - would be for Hayes to compete in and potentially win the 2024 King of the Ring tournament.

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#3. He goes after the United States Championship

Logan Paul will have new challengers once the draft concludes

Carmelo Hayes doesn't wait around long hoping for things to fall into his lap. He won the Breakout Tournament, the North American Championship, and the NXT Title during his time in the developmental brand.

Due to his high selection and booking in NXT, he won't be treading water for too long on SmackDown. Mid-card titles are good predictors of future champions. They help former main-eventers stay relevant while also building those future titleholders.

He has already competed in a tournament to crown Logan Paul's challenger at the Royal Rumble. Hayes may be a champion before 2024 ends.

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#2. Carmelo Hayes joins up with Bobby Lashley

Hayes could find backup in Bobby Lashley's faction

At different points in the last year, Hayes crossed paths with Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. It happened a few times on both SmackDown and NXT. If The Pride stays on SmackDown, he could find some familiar allies.

The group has been battling The Final Testament over the last few months. If Karrion Kross adds another star to his ranks, Hayes could offset that addition by aligning with The All Mighty.

WWE has built up many factions over the last two years and having Melo as the Randy Orton to Lashley's Triple H would make sense.

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#1. He continues to aim for SmackDown's top star

Immediately after he was drafted, Hayes came out and stepped up to the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. He's used to being the top star of a brand and claims he never misses when he takes a shot.

The easiest way to make an immediate impact is to go for the top dog of a brand. Hayes did just that, facing The American Nightmare in the show's main event.

Even though he fell short in his first match as an official member of WWE SmackDown, Hayes proved that it's only a matter of time before he holds gold in WWE. Showing that he can hang with Rhodes will certainly accomplish a lot for Hayes.