Mike Hayes
Wrestling Analyst
Mike Hayes has followed professional wrestling for over a decade, covering WWE, AEW and the indie scene with a focus on storytelling, character work and the business side of the squared circle.
Articles by Mike Hayes
CCW Alive's technical decline masks a deeper booking issue
With technical match time down 19% since Q4, CCW Alive is trading …
2 months agoNXT's NYC street angle is a dangerous blueprint for WrestleMania
Analyzing the recent NYC street angle from NXT and how its cinematic, …
2 months ago
Jonathan Hood (Busted Open Radio): "Randy Orton goes back to 2011 Randy Orton. He just turns and snaps. The crowd was part stunned, p..."
Jonathan Hood discusses Young Bucks vs. FTR beef, Cody Rhodes blood spot, …
2 months ago
Kaz (The Ringer Wrestling Show): "Is it a big deal that Ronda's all elite? It's a big deal. It's also a bad deal, I believe. I don'..."
Kaz discusses Ronda Rousey AEW debut, AEW vs. WWE PPV quality, Hangman …
2 months agoFrom the Gym to the Shelf: A Fan’s Look at Recent Wrestling Gear
We take a deep dive into the gear that actually matters, from …
2 months ago
Ricky Saints and the shifting optics of the WWE performance center
Ricky Saints' recent viral appearance with former AEW standouts has reignited rumors …
2 months agoNXT contract negotiations signal roster shakeup ahead of Stand & Deliver
NXT contract negotiations are heating up, with talent retention becoming a liability …
2 months ago
Brian (The Ringer Wrestling Show): "I am here to confirm to you that yes, it is true [that WWE requested ESPN remove letter grades fr..."
Brian discusses Road Dogg WWE departure, WWE/ESPN partnership, WrestleMania 41 plans on …
2 months ago
Bully Ray (Busted Open Radio): "Whoever it is, it's got to be a damn knife in the heart to Cody. I would love to see the next inc..."
Bully Ray discusses Keanu Carver booking, Potential Charlotte Flair/Randy Orton storyline, NXT …
2 months ago
Tommy Dreamer (Busted Open Radio): "The biggest, heaviest line in this is we want to prove that we're the best of our generation, but..."
Tommy Dreamer discusses Will Ospreay injury update, Don Callis whereabouts, Darby Allin's …
2 months ago
Denise Salcedo (Busted Open Radio): "Toni Storm will not be on AEW for the foreseeable future, which sucks because Toni Storm is one o..."
Denise Salcedo discusses AEW World Championship landscape, Will Ospreay's future at All …
2 months ago
Trick Williams is becoming the central pillar of WWE's next generation
Trick Williams is moving from NXT prospect to a central figure as …
2 months ago
Dana White is doubling down on AI branding and fans are rightfully annoyed
Dana White is defending the UFC's use of generative AI in branding, …
2 months ago
Bully Ray (Busted Open Radio): "Oba Femi is part of the future of this roster and this company. It ain't going to hurt Brock Lesn..."
Bully Ray discusses Obafemi vs. Brock Lesnar, Brock Lesnar's future, WrestleMania booking …
2 months ago
Kaz (The Ringer Wrestling Show): "It was reported by Dave Meltzer that Toni Storm's sudden departure from AEW storylines last week ..."
Kaz discusses Wrestling injury updates, Seth Rollins vs. Paul Heyman WrestleMania plans, …
2 months ago
Trick Williams faces high-stakes WrestleMania debut with personal distraction
Trick Williams heads into WrestleMania 41 under personal duress as his mother …
2 months agoAmerican Gladiators is counting on the wrestling crossover market
With the Gladiators reboot launching, producers are targeting a 15% audience share …
2 months ago
Bully Ray (Busted Open Radio): "They floated the word 'dad' out there. They never mentioned Vince by name. They put their toe in ..."
Bully Ray discusses Brock Lesnar return, Randy Orton storyline, Obafemi push on …
2 months ago
Brock Lesnar (Grilling JR with Jim Ross): "I was a shooter, an amateur guy. I had a lot of credentials to my name. Of course, I got tested a..."
Brock Lesnar discusses John Cena's future role in WWE, Jimmy Valiant retirement, …
2 months ago
Conrad Thompson (Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard): "LA Knight revealed that he was unaware he was being recorded during the exchange with Triple H [o..."
Conrad Thompson discusses Sid Vicious Hall of Fame, LA Knight/WWE Unreal controversy, …
2 months ago