Shawn Michaels Confirms NXT Stand & Deliver Main Event

“It deserves to be the main event”

THOMAS BENDER/HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY

NXT’s signature Stand and Deliver card has its main event.

On Saturday, April 6 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, only hours before Night One of WrestleMania 40, WWE’s future will be on display at Stand & Deliver as Carmelo Hayes wrestles Trick Williams in the show’s headline bout.

WWE legend Shawn Michaels, who oversees NXT as the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, confirmed with Sports Illustrated that the next chapter of the intense feud between Hayes and Williams will take place in the main event of Stand & Deliver.

“The Trick Williams-Carmelo Hayes story has been a driving force of NXT over the past several months,” said Michaels. “It deserves to be the main event of what is sure to be a memorable NXT Stand and Deliver.”

This marks only the fourth Stand & Deliver event, which has become an NXT staple under Michaels. It marks the second straight year for Hayes in the main event, an extremely impressive feat.

While Hayes and William both represent the future for WWE, each traveled a very different pathway to arrive at this point.

A 10-year pro, Hayes–who is Christian Brigham–blazed his own trail through the independents before signing with WWE in 2021. He is a throwback, which is visible in his presence, promos, and matches. Like Hayes, Williams–whose name is Matrick Belton–is also 29 years old. Yet he traveled an altogether different path, signing a developmental contract with WWE in 2021 after a successful collegiate football career.

The story of Hayes and Williams has evolved from friends into bitter rivals, yet it is also a showcase of two contrasting paths to WWE. It will culminate in the main event of NXT’s most prominent show at Stand & Deliver.