LA Knight and Carmelo Hayes trade aggressive shots before WWE SmackDown match

WWE SmackDown is set to kick off in less than an hour with fallout from Bad Blood, plus the build to Crown Jewel. Officials also have two major title matches planned. LA Knight and Carmelo Hayes are wasting no time in riling each other up for tonight's battle as they have been firing heated shots on social media.

The Megastar will defend the WWE United States Championship against The Kid on tonight's loaded SmackDown episode in Greenville. Hayes earned the shot one week ago after an injury prevented AJ Styles from continuing their match, which led to Knight dropping Hayes after the bell. Tonight's title match is LA's fault as he had promised to talk to Nick Aldis about granting Carmelo a shot if he beat AJ.

Knight previously promised to embarrass Hayes tonight. The challenger had accused the champion of using AI chatbot ChatGPT to write his tweets. Knight fired back and warned that Hayes will need artificial intelligence to form thoughts after tonight's beating. The former TNA World Champion then taunted the near-eleven-year industry veteran for being a rookie to the blue brand.

"You'll need it to form thoughts after tomorrow rook," LA Knight wrote.

Check out the tweet here.

Hayes quickly responded by implying that Knight's comeback was more hokey and as unremarkable as some of the lines delivered in the WWE 2K MyCareer mode. This four-word reply ended his exchange with the near-twenty-two-year veteran.

"2K MyCareer a*s response," Carmelo Hayes wrote.

Check out the tweet here.

SmackDown tonight will mark the second Hayes vs. Knight singles bout. LA won their first-ever match on June 7, countering Carmelo's handful of tights at eight minutes and thirty seconds to secure a pin of his own.