Is Michael Hayes Racist?

[WrestlingDude]

Now from wat ive been reading about him lately, he was the head Smackdown writer and this "untouchable" backstage power who basically did w/e he wanted. However it seems lately that he's losing is mind as he was just suspended for 60 days for calling Mark Henry "black". This isnt his first issue however. Apperently former US and ECW champion Bobby Lashley first moved to ECW bc Michael Hayes was giving him shitty storylines which later made him quit WWE all together. Not only Mark Henry and Bobby Lashley though. They are now saying was Michael Hayes the reason Booker T (King Booker at the time) left WWE as well.

From my opinion, i honestly dont know. Whether hes racist or just a dumbass. But I believe it was a smart move by Vince McMahon to suspend him, but overall id he continues like this, Vince outta fire him.

[Sicko]

I don't know but the WWE better be very careful with this and how that handle it, suspending him was the right move, WWE has a huge minority fan base especially Latino's and Black's, last thing you want is to lose that especially with Ratings already down, if more start to come out it is going to be a serious problem

bad enough they don't have many Black and Latino stars now and oddly most of them have been sent to ECW, now that I think of it Henry has been on ECW a lot lately so maybe it is some truth to Hayes I don't know I hope not

would not be the first time WWE have been accused of being racist, I know it was discussed on this board before

I would not be shocked if they try to give one of their black wrestlers a sudden push to try and calm things down a little, lack of Black Divas may end up become a problem as well, TNA don't have the problem, they have two black Knockouts and one is the Champ

but with Smackdown being popular with Black and Latino viewers I would think they would make more of an effort to add more stars, but I think also that is one reason why Teddy Long and Vicky has been the last two GM's for Smackdown

either way this business should be about talent and who can entertain no matter what race, hopefully Hayes comes back a different man but what is the point once he gets drunk again it will all come out

[PsxMeUP]

No clue if he's a racists. In the Mark Henry incident he was drunk and acting like an ass through the night (from what I read). So it can be excused as a one-time event. But if the other stories are also true then he deserves more than just a suspension. That his alleged actions could have cost the company a lot of potential money.

[atomikenrtia]

Paul F. Tomkins made a great point in his "Driven to Drink" comedy special some-years back;

"Alcohol does not make somebody anymore of an asshole than they already were. They may not have been as vocal, but they were still an asshole. Those are the people who cannot handle drinking" (not exact quote, but to that effect)

this is Michael Hayes. If he's getting belligerently drunk, and dropping racial slurs left-and-right... chances are, he's always harbored those feelings... he just never outed them.

[schaeffershawn]

well lets remember who and what Hayes was and is. He is a Freebird. Lynard Skynard of whom the song came fron originaly are known for being racist and if you listen to their lyrics you see it.

secondly Hayes wrestled primarly in the south ware he came to the ring wearing a glittery robe like version of the confederate flag. Now maybe this wqs done to make him more heelish, but as many have stated he lived his gimick.

He has been known to get drunk and be a complete ass, plane ride from hell, steph and HHH's wedding and now this,.

[Mighty NorCal]

I would think its more of a case of him being ignorant, one of the good ol' boys. I know plenty of people who say extremely racist things, but would never actually act on them, or DO anything racist, or even REALLY belive what they are saying. Its just from being from a culture, or enviornment, were saying that kind of thing is alright. Was he stupid for saying that kind of thing in the enviornment in which he did?? Yes, for sure. So I think he is just an idiot. Not a racist. An ignorant idiot.

I couldn't agree more. Micheal Hayes is a good Smackdown writer but he's too racist. All of his racial jokes have run off all of the fast rising stars like Bobby Lashley, King Booker, and its oonly a matter of time before Mark Henry quits. Hayes should be fired.

[FoleyIsGod]

Not at all, he was just pissed and the ribbing went a bit too far.

Its like saying all Roy Chubby Brown fans are racists because we laugh when he tells jokes about black people. It doesnt matter if they are so over the top, or make fun of stereotypes, we must all be memebers of the KKK!

[Mighty NorCal]

Eh, just contributes to the double standard. I bet if Mark Henry wouldve been drunk and told a white people joke, no one wouldve said shit. Is it appropriate in that enviornment?? No. but its still just a fine examle of being over dramatic, and oversensitive about this stuff. Like I said before. Huge moron, yes. Full Blown racist, I doubt.

[L4L]

He is a racist no doubt Mark Henry isn't the first Black WWE superstar to have problems with him apparently Lashley did as well and left the WWE cause of it. There is also talk that Booker T may have left due to Micheal Hayes's racial comments. To say he isn't racist is ignorant you don't say those things I don't care if your drunk or not. He has been in the business for a long time if he doesn't know you don't say ni**er to a blackman kidding or not by now he is racist. If this was the first time he did it I would say maybe it was a mistake and Mark Henry took it the wrong way but there are too many reports coming out that he makes racist jokes and comments all the time. He is a racist and the WWE should fire him for his comments. That or give Mark Henry five minutes with him and allow Henry to rip his head off.