Carmelo Hayes wins 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament

Carmelo Hayes is the winner of the 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament.

On NXT tonight, Hayes defeated Odyssey Jones in the Breakout Tournament finals. After being hit with a splash by Jones, Hayes reversed the pin into a crucifix to get the win.

Hayes showed respect to Jones by shaking hands with him after the match. Hayes said facing Jones was no joke.

NXT general manager William Regal congratulated Hayes after the match and presented him with the contract for a shot at the NXT title of his choosing. Hayes said it’s way too early to decide which title he is going to go after. Hayes said he called his shot in the tournament — and when he shoots, he doesn’t miss.

To get to the finals of the tournament, Hayes defeated Josh Briggs in the first round and Duke Hudson in the semifinals. Hayes had to face opponents significantly bigger than him in each round of the tournament.

Hayes (formerly known as Christian Casanova) signed with WWE earlier this year. He made his NXT debut by unsuccessfully challenging for Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship this June. Hayes also lost to Adam Cole on NXT that month.

This was the second-ever NXT Breakout Tournament. Jordan Myles (ACH) won the inaugural Breakout Tournament in 2019.