Michael Hayes Explains How He Became One of Vince McMahon’s Right-Hand Men

Michael Hayes has explained how he went from being on Vince McMahon’s bad side after the Freebirds’ short 1984 run in the WWF to becoming one of McMahon’s most trusted people behind the scenes. Speaking with Stephanie McMahon on What’s Your Story?, Hayes talked about learning television as Dok Hendrix, being pulled from managing the Hardy Boyz, and how he earned McMahon’s trust by outworking everyone. You can check out their comments below:

On Learning TV as Dok Hendrix:

“Going back to the Dok Hendrix thing, that took me into my next hemisphere I think, because I went to college on TV. I learned how to do TV because I was in the studio four days a week. I was very interested. I knew my wrestling career was over, and that’s where I made my money, because of my mouth. And I knew that was pretty much coming to an end. And that’s when I said, ‘Well, I want to do something else,’ and that’s when Vince put me with the Hardys.

“And then I thought, ‘Yes. Okay, I got these young kids. I’m going to go new Freebirds.’ Though Vince always said, ‘They’re not the Freebirds. You’re not the Freebirds.’ He hated the Freebirds. We weren’t his creation. I like the stories where Bruce says Vince asked, ‘Did you guys ever draw money?’ He knows we drew money.”

On Being Pulled From the Hardy Boyz:

“It was funny. Once they dropped the titles, I was specifically told and produced to tell them they’re going back to the starting box, back to the foundation. And they’re beginning at the beginning and starting over and earning it, and to be a real tyrant. And then Vince goes, ‘God, he can’t be like that to those kids. Why is he being so mean? Nobody would listen to that. Get him away from them.’ And when he told that to me, it broke my heart. I was invested, and I did what you told me to do. And then I figured I was pretty much done here. And then I think Vince saw me wandering around when he was doing vignettes and stuff, and he would start pulling me in to help him out.”

On Winning McMahon Back Over:

“He hated me. He hated the Freebirds and swore on everything that was swearable that I would never have a job here. Not only did I get hired back here, I became one of his right-hand men. I got his trust, because I worked and I outworked everybody. When he wanted something done, I went and got it done. He didn’t have to ask about it, and I would tell him I got it done.”

On Becoming a Producer:

“Well, we’re doing both, and you got a long way to go to catch me. But that started, and I sucked as an agent at first. About the time that you turned heel and teamed up with Paul, I was just saying, ‘Hey, if you want some ideas.’ He didn’t have any wrestler on the creative team at the time. I think it was just Brian and some guy named Tony from Detroit. I like Tony. And he finally invited me in; he wanted a wrestler to talk to. You need that to balance it out, because Brian knew a lot about writing and entertainment. He didn’t know wrestling. You have to have a team. And then that started, and I just made my mind up: ‘Okay, this is what you’re going to do. Wrestling’s done, and you’re going to be the best they’ve ever had. I don’t know how you’re going to do that, but you’re going to do it.'”

On the Advice That Changed Everything:

“He said, ‘Michael, there’s many people out on the street that’ll tell me why it don’t work. I need somebody that tells me how it will work.’ It changed everything.”

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