Ric Flair And Michael Hayes On Problems With Wrestling Today, Hayes Working With Charlotte, NXT
Recently on WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair, 'the Nature Boy' spoke with Michael P.S. Hayes. Flair and Hayes discussed a number of topics including Flair's daughter, current WWE Diva's Champion, Charlotte, NXT, and the problems with today's product.
At the outset of the interview Flair thanked Hayes for helping Charlotte learn the ropes of the professional wrestling business.
"Make no mistake about it, she has had the support of Michael and Hunter and from me, of course, and a lot of people that care about her. I just told her today, 'if you have a problem, go talk to Michael Hayes,'" Flair said.
Hayes replied that there was a time where Charlotte was not quite sure whether being a professional wrestler was what she wanted in life or whether she wanted to put the work in necessary to get to where she wanted to be before she turned the corner. Hayes went on to put over WWE Performance Center Trainer, Sara Del Rey. Hayes stated that Del Rey does not get the credit she deserves for coaching the women of NXT.
"But make no mistake about it, [Charlotte] didn't get to where she is because she is your daughter and she's not even close to where she's going to be," Hayes continued, "Charlotte, Sasha [Banks], all of those girls, the reason they get where they are is because of their desire and the way they choose to play: they're smart enough to take great coaching and then they utilize the tools that they've been given and the coaching they've been given."
Flair and Hayes talked about some of the problems with today's product. Flair suggested that too many performers are too concerned about being made to look foolish and that performers should not be using one another's moves.
"God, go for the gusto. Go for what they're digging. Jesus, don't worry about how you look." Flair continued, "and everybody uses each other's finish, too, for high spots."
Hayes agreed with 'Naitch' and added that in their day, doing false finishes could have gotten them kicked out of a territory or the professional wrestling business entirely.
"We could have never put somebody through a table. We couldn't do a finish and make it a false finish. Back in the day, there were these unwritten rules, so you had these parameters that made you have to work to get it and once you learned how to work to get it and you got it, you just kept going there."
Also, Hayes suggested that professional wrestlers today who treat the professional wrestling business as merely a job break kayfabe and this impedes their performance, as they might not sell an injury over a period of days.
"I'll just go on the record saying this, I think some people, and maybe this gives them less stress in their business life, but some people almost come, clock in, and when the show is over, clock out, and that's it and it's just a job, a well-paying job, but it's just a job."
Despite all of the problems with today's product, Hayes still believes that the future of professional wrestling is bright.
"I will say this, I do think the future is bright because I love NXT. That's probably the highlight of my career when I get down there and work with those kids. And I think what Hunter is doing with how we are teaching those kids that they are starting to get taught the right way again and they are starting to learn the whys and the hows and, more importantly, the why nots."
To listen to the entire podcast, click here.
Source: WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair