Carmelo Hayes has prompted fresh speculation about his WWE status after blacking out his X/Twitter profile picture, with questions now growing over what comes next for the former NXT standout.
The timing has made the change more noticeable. Hayes has not wrestled since his August loss to Baron Corbin, and over the past 24 hours evidence has emerged that he could join Ilja Dragunov in AEW. That has turned a small online change into a much bigger talking point.
Why Hayes' online move matters
On Oct. 11, RingTheBell82 said in The Feed that Hayes had blacked out his X/Twitter profile picture. In isolation, that would not mean much. But combined with his absence from the ring, it has been enough to fuel wider speculation about whether his next move could be away from WWE.
Hayes and Ilja Dragunov were rivals during their feuds over the WWE NXT and United States championships, and the two men also debuted on the main roster at about the same time. That shared history is why the comparison has been so immediate once Dragunov’s name entered the conversation again.
What the profile change suggests
There is still one important detail that may temper the speculation. Hayes’ account appears unchanged apart from the blacked-out profile picture, which could mean he is not yet ready to burn the bridge with WWE. That does not settle anything, but it does suggest caution is needed before reading too much into the move.
Even so, the optics are clear. When a wrestler has not been seen in action since an August loss and then makes a visible change to a major social account, it naturally invites questions about future plans. For now, that is where the story sits: a small update online, a long spell away from the ring, and plenty of curiosity around Carmelo Hayes.
