The fallout from controversial comments made about WWE wrestler Chelsea Green on the Netflix series “WWE Unreal” continues, with Michael Hayes now offering his perspective. Hayes claims his remarks were taken out of context during editing, sparking a debate about creative control and the portrayal of talent in professional wrestling.
Green publicly expressed her disappointment after hearing what she perceived as a discussion of her “ceiling” within the company on the streaming platform. Hayes addressed the situation on the February 25, 2026, episode of the Six Feet Under podcast, asserting that a crucial element of his commentary was omitted. The core of his defense centers on the claim that his initial praise for Green was never aired.
Hayes Claims Edited Commentary Misrepresented His View
According to Hayes, he began the interview by stating, “Chelsea is as good, as talented, and as entertaining as anyone we have.” However, this positive assessment, he alleges, was “left on the cutting room floor.” He suggested the editing was deliberate, designed to portray him as a heel – a wrestling term for a villainous character – by implying Green wasn’t good enough. “That’s not what I was saying,” Hayes insisted.
While Hayes maintains he doesn’t regret the aired portion of the conversation, he clarified that his comments were specifically about Green’s current role within WWE, not her overall ability. He explained that her position is currently focused on elevating other performers, a common practice in the industry. “I don’t regret what I said because her role at the time – and even right now – is not the top role. It’s to help make other people. And as you know, we’re always only as good as the people who help make us,” he stated.
WWE’s History of Responding to Fan Support
Hayes pointed to past instances where WWE management adjusted their plans based on strong fan reactions, citing the careers of Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston as examples. He noted that when these wrestlers gained significant organic support, the company ultimately aligned with the fans’ preferences, even if it initially differed from internal plans. “Look at Daniel Bryan. Look at Kofi Kingston. When they caught fire, we went with it – whether some people at the top agreed or not, we went with it,” Hayes said.
However, Hayes doesn’t believe Green has reached that level of organic momentum yet. He also articulated a belief that excessive promotion could potentially diminish Green’s appeal, suggesting that part of her connection with fans stems from her perceived underdog status. He theorized that if WWE were to heavily push Green, her supporters might lose interest, feeling she’s simply benefiting from the “machine” rather than genuine merit.
The Role of Organic Fan Support
“We’re not there with Chelsea,” Hayes explained. “And I sense that the people who support Chelsea now – if we started pushing her – they’d fade, because she’d be getting the push from the machine. And if she’s getting the push from the machine, then she doesn’t demand my help.” He emphasized the importance of fans feeling their support can directly impact a wrestler’s career trajectory, a sentiment he believes resonates with Green’s fanbase.
Hayes acknowledged that Green may be underutilized but reiterated his belief that an aggressive push could backfire. “I agree she is underutilized. I spoke what I felt to be the truth. Not all of what I said was set out there. People have hated me since the beginning of time, and if you ask me a question, I’ll tell you the truth. I still feel that if we secure behind her, it hurts the bit of a rebel push that she gets.”
This clarification reframes the narrative, shifting the focus from a critique of Green’s talent to a discussion of her creative positioning within WWE. Whether fans accept Hayes’ explanation remains to be seen.
The situation highlights the complexities of portraying professional wrestling and its personalities on a platform like Netflix, where editing choices can significantly alter the intended message. It also underscores the power of fan perception and the delicate balance between company-driven narratives and organic wrestler momentum.
As WWE continues to navigate the evolving landscape of sports entertainment, the question of how to best utilize and showcase its talent – and how those stories are told – will undoubtedly remain a central focus. The response to Chelsea Green’s situation will likely inform future decisions regarding talent presentation and the transparency of creative processes.
What are your thoughts on Michael Hayes’ explanation? Do you believe the editing of “WWE Unreal” unfairly portrayed his comments, or do you think his perspective still raises concerns about Chelsea Green’s position in the company? Share your opinions in the comments below.
