On the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, the “transfer window” was announced, paving the way for some brand switches in the coming weeks.
This is likely a way to shuffle things around before the Raw premiere on Netflix on January 6, with SmackDown, Raw and NXT all said to be involved.
While most of these changes will likely be ‘surprises’ as people just pop up on different shows, there is one specific example that was revealed.
Next week on SmackDown, Carmelo Hayes will have a match against an opponent described as “a new Superstar” and “SmackDown’s newest acquisition”.
It’s unclear exactly what that wording means, but “a new Superstar” would suggest either an entirely new WWE signing or perhaps an NXT call-up, but not just someone switching over from Raw.
With that said, here are six potential opponents for Hayes who fit that criteria and could debut on WWE SmackDown.
6. Oba Femi
Oba Femi has been off WWE NXT TV since late October after suffering a second consecutive loss to Tony D’Angelo.
Until then, he’d practically been unbeatable, and had become one of the most popular talents in NXT.
Other than a very brief appearance in the crowd on Raw, Femi has yet to make a real ‘debut’ on main roster television.
Even with his relative inexperience, Femi has to be a leading candidate on any potential call-up lists, and this would be one way to introduce him.
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5. Miro
News emerged a number of weeks ago that Miro had requested his release from AEW after not making a single appearance for the promotion in 2024.
While it’s not confirmed if there’d be interest from both sides, the obvious speculation if Miro was to leave AEW would be a return to WWE, where he became popular as Rusev.
He likely wouldn’t need a run in NXT so could burst straight back onto the main roster scene, and if Nick Aldis wants to put Carmelo Hayes in place, Miro is someone who could do that.
The one thing that makes this unlikely is there’s no confirmation he’s been granted his release, and it would kind of be a surprise if Tony Khan did grant it at this point.
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4. Andre Chase
Like Oba Femi, Andre Chase is one of the most popular names in WWE NXT and has to be a top candidate for a potential call-up.
Especially following the disbanding of Chase U, it’s unclear what there really is for Chase to do in NXT anymore now that he’s been around for a few years.
While it certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing to keep him in NXT, especially if there are plans in place, it still might just be time to move on.
He’s a popular enough babyface that he’d be able to counter Hayes as a heel as his first match/feud on the main roster.
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3. Omos
Omos isn’t a new WWE signing or an NXT call-up, but he wouldn’t just be a switch from Raw either.
He’s described as a “free agent”, which means either brand could sign him, but he hasn’t really been used on TV regularly in almost two years.
As far as current day WWE goes, with the hype of a “new star” debuting, there’s a chance it being Omos would get some backlash from fans, but there’s certainly a contingent that would be happy to see him back.
If the main thing is it being part of the story of Nick Aldis trying to humble Carmelo Hayes, then using that logic, Omos would be a good pick.
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2. Penta El Zero Miedo
There have been a whole host of names rumored to move from AEW to WWE recently, and one of those is Penta El Zero Miedo.
Penta is in fact the most likely to do that right now, as his AEW contract has actually expired.
With Rey Fenix being locked in at AEW until way into 2025, either WWE could wait until then and debut the Lucha Bros together, or establish Penta first before bringing Fenix in.
Whether WWE would just debut him as a surprise with very little build-up like this is questionable, but it’s an option and it’s certainly something that would serve the online fanbase.
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1. Trick Williams
The top candidate in many fans’ minds to face Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown next week is current NXT Champion Trick Williams.
Williams and Hayes have a storied history together in NXT, starting out as partners but ending up enemies before Hayes was called up to the main roster.
Since then, Williams has become the top babyface in NXT and his popularity and charisma certainly puts him in the conversation for a call-up.
If Williams ends up losing the NXT Championship to Ridge Holland at Deadline, that would be a massive sign that Williams is on his way to Raw or SmackDown,
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