Jacob Fatu Recalls Advice Michael Hayes Gave Him Before WWE Debut

On the latest episode of What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon, Jacob Fatu recalled the words Michael Hayes gave him before his WWE debut, and the ski mask disagreement that Triple H settled from Gorilla position. You can check out his comments below:

On What Hayes Told Him:

“In the words of Michael Hayes, the most famous words ever, which humbled me: ‘Jacob, you need to go out there and wrestle like nobody knows you, because what you did before you got here don’t mean anything. And before you walk out, let me let you know — if you think you’re over, you’re not over.'”

On the Ski Mask:

“When I came in and made my debut, I remember seeing your husband at the debut. I had on a ski mask, protecting kayfabe. Michael Hayes had me in the ski mask during rehearsals, and your husband was like, ‘Jacob, you can take that off.’ I’ve got the ski mask on. I’m on the top rope, I’m talking. And I’m like, ‘Sorry, H, Michael Hayes said keep it on.'”

On Triple H settling it live:

“He goes, ‘Hey, watch this. Watch this.’ You know Hunter has the earphones on. So he’s like, ‘Why is Jacob wearing the ski mask, Michael?’ ‘Well, we’ve got a con —’ ‘Hey, they don’t know. Michael, look at Jacob. Do you think that — you even told me they don’t know who this is. Jacob, take the goddamn ski mask off.’ So I took it off, and I’m still standing on the rope like this. ‘Yes, sir.’ So shout out to Michael Hayes, man.”

On Whether the Lesson Stuck:

“Trust me, I’m still humble, Hayes. Still humble.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon podcast with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.