Earlier this year, WWE producer Michael Hayes raised eyebrows when he claimed, on WWE Unreal, that in-ring talent Chelsea Green was meant to elevate others, rather than be a top star herself. At SummerSlam, Green then proved otherwise as she captured the interim WWE Women’s Championship in a brutal ladder match also involving the likes of Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, and Lash Legend.
Following her big title win, Green cheekily dedicated it to Hayes on the SummerSlam post-show. Now, she’s fully crediting the former Fabulous Freebirds member and his words with bringing her to this point.
That clip on ‘Unreal’ is part of why I’m sitting here with this title on my shoulder right now. But I want to make sure everyone knows Michael Hayes has supported me since the minute I got to WWE,” Green told CBS Sports. “He’s the only person that is so blatantly honest, so blunt that he always, always provides the truth, whether I want to hear it or not.
Hayes’ comments initially sparked criticism from fans and fellow wrestlers, with WWE Hall of Famers The Undertaker and Rikishi notably coming to Green’s defense. Upon further reflection, Green herself now believes Hayes’ words contained truth at that particular moment in time.
At the end of the day, what he said was the truth,” she said. “It was the truth in that moment. It was his truth. It was Creative’s truth. It might have been Triple H’s truth, I don’t know. I’m totally glad he said it. No regrets.
Green’s ascent to the Interim Women’s Title throne came after the reigning champion, Rhea Ripley, sustained a torn meniscus.
