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Ex-WWE Champion Backs Chelsea Green Amid Michael Hayes’ Controversy

By John Canton • Published Feb 06, 2026 16:10 EST
Chelsea Green salute

A former WWE superstar is supporting Chelsea Green after unflattering comments from Michael Hayes.

The second season of WWE Unreal on Netflix featured some comments from WWE Hall of Famer Michael Hayes, who has been a key part of the company’s creative team for decades.

On WWE Unreal, Hayes said that while Chelsea Green is talented, she’s not built to be the main star of the women’s division like Charlotte Flair or Tiffany Stratton.

“Chelsea is so entertaining. But she is not built for, nor should she be in the Charlotte Flair role or Tiffany Stratton. Because Chelsea’s job is to help make those people.”

Those comments from Hayes infuriated a lot of people who know how talented Green is.

The former 2-time Women’s US Champion Chelsea Green spoke her mind about it and admitted she was p**sed off about what Hayes said.

“Okay. This is tea, ladies, because I have not done media since this came out. This really, really ruffled some feathers. He basically on ‘Unreal’ said, ‘Chelsea makes the most out of her time, so we don’t need to give her 30 minutes. We give her 30 seconds, and she does the same work, which is great because she’s not meant to be here for 30 minutes.’

It’s crazy because I’m a self-aware human being. So I know my kind of place on the totem pole in this fake hierarchy that is wrestling. But to actually hear it… to actually hear that there was a ceiling put on me—it’s different.

You can’t help but be p*ssed off and a little upset and just aggravated at the fact that you thought that there was maybe a chance that there wasn’t that ceiling—that maybe it was all in your head. And it wasn’t confirmed to me. It was confirmed on national television.”

Chelsea Green Is Supported By Maria Kanellis

Maria Kanellis is a former WWE superstar who had two stints with the company, including a run as the 24/7 Champion while she was pregnant. Maria, who now has three children with her AEW wrestler husband Mike Bennett, isn’t shy about giving her opinions on controversial topics. Writing on X, Maria praised Green as a talent.

It’s interesting. I’ve seen these comments come up again and again from Michael Hayes on my timeline and I don’t know if it’s real or Unreal. BUT, what I do know is that when Chelsea was released from WWE she was a different person. Someone that was unsure and wasn’t quite comfortable in her own skin. The person that @ImChelseaGreen is now can carry a division!!

Not because she is just the best wrestler or the best whatever. BUT, because she is the BEST. She is the most motivated, dedicated, and unapologetically talented person in WWE. That lack of fear makes a Champion. The willingness to do the job necessary makes her a Star. Sooooo, incredibly proud of her transformation. And Chelsea the only ceiling is the one you break.
@WWE

Chelsea Green saw the comment on X and responded with this:

LY sister. Thank you for always supporting me… since day 1

Next up for Chelsea Green is a Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying match on WWE SmackDown in Charlotte on February. Here’s the advertised lineup:

  • Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Aleister Black
  • Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Lash Legend vs. Chelsea Green vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: RHIYO (Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY) (c) vs. Giulia & Kiana James
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tama Tonga
  • Liv Morgan to appear