Austin Theory & Carmelo Hayes ‘okay’ after WWE SmackDown match stoppage
Austin Theory & Carmelo Hayes are “okay” according to WWE after their match on Friday’s SmackDown was stopped after the two suffered a bad landing.
Theory attempted an avalanche flatliner on Hayes during their match, but spiked himself on his head in landing on the mat. Hayes appeared to knock heads with Theory on the landing as well. Referee Ryan Tran immediately called for the bell and a stoppage after checking with both wrestlers on their well-being.
In a statement posted to X, WWE said that both will be okay, but suffered face contusions:
UPDATE: Following their match tonight on #SmackDown,
@_Theory1 and @Carmelo_WWEwere evaluated for injuries.
They both suffered face contusions, and will both be okay.
Hayes is a member of the NXT roster, but was featured throughout Friday’s SmackDown episode. Hayes challenged Grayson Waller to a match in a backstage segment early in the program, but Waller declined and Nick Aldis made the match between Hayes & Theory in its place. A video package also aired promoting Hayes prior to the Theory match.
A former NXT Champion, Hayes made his SmackDown debut as part of the United States title contender’s tournament on December 15, defeating Waller. Kevin Owens then defeated Hayes the following week in the tournament.
An F4WOnline Editor since 2019, Ethan has been covering wrestling and MMA since 2011. He has hosted The Wrestling Life Podcast since 2014, and is a former Baltimore Sun TV/Tribune Media contributor. He is also a Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles fan.