Carmelo Hayes Returns on Raw, Joins the 946

Carmelo Hayes made his long-awaited return to WWE television on Raw this week, resurfacing as the newest member of the 946 in a chaotic main-event angle.

Hayes had been absent from WWE programming for two months, with his last appearance coming in August when he dropped a United States Championship match to Baron Corbin in his hometown of Boston. It capped off a difficult stretch for Hayes, who started 2026 as U.S. Champion before losing the title to Sami Zayn ahead of WrestleMania 42. He was then left off both WrestleMania and SummerSlam entirely, a notable fall from the spotlight for a performer many had pegged as a future top star.

His return came during the 946’s in-ring debut as a full group, with Royce Keys, Bronco Nima and Lucien Price teaming up against the Usos and Solo Sikoa. The match spilled into the crowd and never reached a finish after Jaida Parker — who has been aligned with the group — took out the referee following a dive onto both Usos. Amid the chaos, Hayes emerged from behind Sikoa and leveled him with a crowbar before unmasking his involvement and standing tall alongside the rest of the 946 to close out the show.

The angle sets up what looks increasingly like a Survivor Series War Games showdown between the 946 and the Bloodline, with Roman Reigns, the Usos, Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa expected to make up the Bloodline’s side. With Hayes now in the fold, the 946 has five members on paper, but War Games requires even teams on both sides unless WWE finds a way to add a fifth Bloodline-aligned member — a returning Naomi has been floated as a possibility, which would also open the door for Jaida Parker to factor into the match directly.

If WWE sticks to the numbers as they stand, Hayes’ arrival may not be the final piece for the 946 heading into War Games. The group has steadily added bodies in recent weeks, and there’s a case to be made that it doesn’t need another full-time member so much as a fifth man willing to align with the faction just long enough to even the score with the Bloodline. Names like LA Knight, were he to turn heel, or a returning Drew McIntyre have been floated as logical candidates to fill that role without permanently joining the stable.

For Hayes, the move represents a fresh direction after a rough run through 2026. Pairing him with an aggressive, chaotic faction like the 946 gives him a different texture than his singles title chase did, and a War Games spot would put him back in a marquee spot after months on the shelf creatively. Whether this is a long-term home for Hayes or simply a vehicle to get him back into the title picture remains to be seen, but it’s a clear signal WWE still sees him as part of the bigger picture heading into the Survivor Series season.

Expect more clarity on the 946’s roster and their opposition in the coming weeks as WWE builds toward War Games.