How Carmelo Hayes should've been protected for WrestleMania

From my own observations as a wrestling fan, protecting a rising star like Carmelo Hayes at a major event like WrestleMania requires more than just a series of open challenges and one-off matches. The key is building a compelling storyline that elevates the wrestler's status and engages the audience emotionally. In the case of Carmelo, the approach of having him repeatedly face bangers without a cohesive narrative made his reign feel superficial despite its length. I believe the best way to shield him and make his eventual title loss meaningful was to involve a carefully crafted triple threat match at WrestleMania. This would not only provide excitement but also allow Carmelo to maintain credibility even if he lost the championship. Additionally, using Trick Williams only as a transitional champion without regular title defenses diminishes the perceived value of the belt. A storyline that intertwines both Carmelo and Trick, highlighting their rivalry and ambitions, would generate more heat and fan interest. From experience, WrestleMania moments that resonate most are those where character development and storyline payoff go hand in hand with the in-ring action. Carmelo needed a storyline that established him as a proven competitor who could face any challenge, and having a decisive, story-rich match rather than multiple open challenges would have served this purpose better. Fans often invest in wrestlers whose narratives show growth, setbacks, and triumphs clearly. By not providing Carmelo with this structured buildup, WWE missed an opportunity to organically help him reach the next level. Protecting talents is not about shielding them from losses but about crafting stories where losses build their character and victories establish them as stars. In conclusion, Carmelo Hayes’ WrestleMania booking lacked the layered storytelling that could have cemented his role as a top contender. A well-planned triple threat match and a meaningful feud with Trick Williams could have elevated both wrestlers while keeping the audience invested. This approach would have turned Carmelo from a belt holder with frequent defenses into a memorable WrestleMania star with a lasting impact.