The Miz has given his approval to Carmelo Hayes’ evolving role on Raw, praising the former SmackDown standout for what he has done since joining forces with Royce Keys and The 946.
Hayes spent years positioned on the SmackDown brand before making the move to Raw, where his alignment with Keys has created a fresh direction for the performer. The group has continued to gain momentum, and its apparent conflict with The Bloodline could lead to a major WarGames showdown at Survivor Series.
Speaking with Z100 New York, Miz reflected on Hayes leaving what he described as his own “branch” and said he has enjoyed watching the next stage of Hayes’ WWE run unfold.
“Carmelo, who was under my branch, who kind of left my branch, I allowed it. But now what he’s doing with 946 has been amazing, I love seeing what they’re going to do next.”
For more background on this topic, read Paige Reveals She Was a Last-Minute Choice to Face Kelani Jordan on WWE NXT.
Miz Sees Promise In Hayes’ Raw Evolution
Miz’s comments are notable because they frame Hayes’ current direction as a progression rather than a departure that has damaged his standing. The former WWE Champion presented himself as someone who had previously been connected to Hayes’ path, while also making clear that he is watching the new group with interest.
That support comes as Hayes enters a different environment on Raw. A switch between WWE’s main roster brands can create new opportunities, but it also brings a different set of opponents, alliances, and expectations. By joining Royce Keys and The 946, Hayes has not simply changed shows; he has entered an on-screen unit with an identity and a growing presence.
The Miz did not offer a prediction about where the group will ultimately land, nor did he reveal any further plans involving Hayes. Still, his emphasis on wanting to see what comes next speaks to the uncertainty surrounding The 946’s rise. WWE has provided the faction with increasing attention, while the brewing situation involving The Bloodline has raised the stakes around its immediate future.
For Hayes, the association offers a chance to establish himself in a new setting while working as part of a collective. Factions have long been an important part of WWE television, providing wrestlers with built-in allies and helping develop rivalries that can move from weekly programming into major premium live event matches. The potential WarGames path would place The 946 in one of the company’s most prominent annual match environments.
Cruz Montana Expanded The 946 On Raw
The 946 added another piece on the November 2 episode of Raw when Cruz Montana joined the faction. His arrival expanded the group at a significant time, particularly with its situation opposite The Bloodline continuing to take shape.
Montana’s addition also gives The 946 another member as the group potentially approaches a WarGames match. The stipulation is built around team warfare, cages, alliances, and numerical balance, so every addition to either side can carry extra importance. At this stage, the Survivor Series confrontation remains an apparent direction rather than a confirmed match, but the developing issue has made The 946 one of the groups to watch on Raw.
The move gives Hayes a larger support system around him and further defines the faction as more than a temporary pairing. Keys and Hayes had already put the group on the map, and Montana’s inclusion suggests an effort to broaden its role on WWE programming.
There is also a practical storytelling benefit to expanding a faction during a conflict with a group as established as The Bloodline. The Bloodline name carries major weight in WWE, and any group stepping into its orbit needs to feel organized and credible. The 946’s continued growth helps communicate that it is prepared for a sustained rivalry instead of a one-off confrontation.
A Possible Survivor Series Spotlight
WarGames remains one of WWE’s signature multi-person match formats. It has become closely associated with Survivor Series in recent years, offering a setting where rivalries involving factions can reach a violent and decisive turning point. A match between The 946 and The Bloodline would represent a substantial spotlight for everyone involved, including Hayes.
For Hayes specifically, the possibility would be an opportunity to show that his Raw move has elevated his profile. He has been recognized for his confidence and ability to stand out, and a faction-based rivalry gives him another way to display those qualities. Instead of operating only as an individual competitor, he is now part of a group whose success depends on chemistry, shared purpose, and the ability to deal with a powerful opposing unit.
Miz’s endorsement does not make the potential WarGames bout official, but it reinforces the idea that Hayes’ current run has caught the attention of other WWE figures. Miz has spent a long time navigating WWE’s major brands and understands the value of finding a clear role on television. His positive response to The 946 suggests that he sees the act as having direction and upside.
The wording of Miz’s remarks is also revealing. He did not focus on what Hayes had left behind on SmackDown. Instead, he highlighted what Hayes is doing now. That is an important distinction for a wrestler making a brand transition, as the goal is not merely to arrive on a new show but to create a reason for viewers to invest in the new chapter.
What Comes Next For The 946
The immediate question is whether the tension between The 946 and The Bloodline will formally become a Survivor Series WarGames match. WWE has yet to confirm that outcome within the details currently available, but the direction appears to be pointing toward a collision between the groups.
If that match is made official, the road to Survivor Series will likely place even greater attention on Hayes, Keys, Montana, and the rest of the people involved. WarGames programs often revolve around shifting numbers, confrontations between group leaders, and efforts to prove which side has the stronger bond. Montana joining on the November 2 Raw could prove to be an important development in that larger equation.
Until then, Hayes and The 946 have the opportunity to keep building their identity on Raw. The group’s momentum will be measured by how it handles its rivals, how clearly its members operate as a unit, and whether it can sustain fan interest as the Survivor Series picture develops.
Miz, at least, likes what he has seen so far. His assessment was concise, but it carried a clear message: Hayes’ decision to move into this new alliance has produced compelling results. With The 946 expanding and a potential WarGames battle with The Bloodline looming, Hayes’ next steps on Raw could be among the most important of his WWE career.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.