Carmelo Hayes lost in his hometown on SmackDown — so what?

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 14: Baron Corbin stops Carmelo Hayes with a big boot during SmackDown in Boston, Massachusetts. | (Photo: Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images) Wrestling fans ain’t happy unless they’re complaining. Oh, don’t take that as a knock, my fellow nerds. I’m the same way. But following SmackDown, I saw a segment of fans online complaining about how WWE did Carmelo Hayes dirty by having him lose in his hometown of Boston to United States Champion Baron Corbin — another in WWE’s long history of jobbing out the local hero. END OF DAYS 😵 Baron Corbin defeats Carmelo Hayes and retains the United States Title! pic.twitter.com/ZgJSgtuhxJ — WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026 As deflating as that may be, someone, please, show me where in the wrestling rulebook of booking it states that a babyface must win in their hometown. Go ahead, look for it. I’ll wait. Contrary to popular belief, losing at home isn’t some burial. It happens all the time in real sports. The Red Sox, als