On Friday Night SmackDown on USA Network, WWE Superstar Carmelo Hayes made headlines. Hayes’ bold statement before his highly anticipated match with Jimmy USO caught the attention of both wrestling and basketball fans.
“You don’t have to talk about me missing, cause my name ain’t Tyrese Haliburton.”
“You don’t have to talk about me missing, cause my name ain’t Tyrese Haliburton”
MELO 😭#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/9eJ0X03aRx
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) February 1, 2025
The playful jab directed at Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton quickly became viral. The comment referenced Haliburton’s recent court struggles, which made the night’s promo more exciting.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Front-Row Seat at SmackDown
During the event, Haliburton and Pacers assistant coach Isaac Yacob were present and sat in the front row at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which is a surprising fact. Their presence only fueled the idea that there was more to come for the NBA star at WWE’s upcoming Royal Rumble event.
Tyrese Haliburton is ringside for @WWE SmackDown at @GainbridgeFH tonight 💥 pic.twitter.com/3eXJMfttaz
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 1, 2025
Could Tyrese Haliburton Appear at the Royal Rumble?
The excitement rises as the Royal Rumble is scheduled on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Haliburton can make a surprise WWE appearance later that evening because the Pacers play the Atlanta Hawks at 5 p.m. Haliburton remained calm when asked about his potential attendance at the Royal Rumble but did not deny the rumors. He provided a playful response in an interview with LandonBuford.com:
“We do play that day,” he said with a grin. “We might see it. I can’t tell you everything… Yeah, you might see me at the Rumble.”
Haliburton’s Love for WWE Runs Deep
Professional wrestling is Haliburton’s true passion. He has frequently talked about his favorite wrestlers and finishing moves, even revealing his personal list of wrestling finishers.
- RKO (Randy Orton)
- Swanton Bomb (Jeff Hardy)
- Hell’s Gate (The Undertaker)
- Sweet Chin Music (Shawn Michaels)
Due to his extensive knowledge of WWE and love for the sport, he might be involved in a special moment during the Royal Rumble.
A Perfect Crossover Moment for WWE and the NBA
Fans have always found the crossover between basketball and WWE exciting, and stars like Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Dennis Rodman have made previous appearances in the ring. Another epic moment blending the worlds of NBA and WWE entertainment would occur if Haliburton makes a surprise appearance.
Final Thoughts
Carmelo Hayes’ promo on SmackDown may have appeared playful, but it has created even more excitement for the Royal Rumble weekend. Haliburton’s presence at the building and his cryptic response about a possible appearance will draw attention to Lucas Oil Stadium to see if the NBA star makes an impression on the wrestling arena. Is Haliburton ready for the WWE spotlight? We’ll be informed soon enough!
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @LandonBuford, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
