WWE Producer Addresses Backlash Over Chelsea Green Comments On Netflix’s Unreal

To many wrestling fans, WWE: Unreal is a breath of fresh air.

The Netflix docuseries serves as a diversion from the weekly tapings, as it gives them a peek behind the scenes about how the shows are produced.

Furthermore, it gives them an insight into the lives of their favorite wrestlers, showing them in a different light than their on-screen characters.

Season 2 of the show was released on January 20, 2026, covering the backstage elements between WrestleMania 41 and SummerSlam.

On one of its episodes, comments made by WWE producer Michael Hayes towards Chelsea Green did not sit well with fans. He said that while he believed Green was entertaining, she was not in the same category as Tiffany Stratton or Charlotte Flair.

He left the fans aggrieved further by claiming that the 34-year-old’s role in the company is to get other wrestlers over. Green herself was left unhappy by Hayes’ statement on the show.

WWE’s Michael Hayes Blames Netflix For Chelsea Green Fiasco

More than a month after Season 2 of WWE: Unreal aired on Netflix, Michael Hayes addressed the Chelsea Green controversy during an appearance on the Six Feet Under podcast.

The 66-year-old claimed that the streaming platform showed only a part of the story and left out the other half.

Now, I’ve talked to Netflix about this because when we did that interview — and I recall this specifically — when we started the interview, the first thing I said was, ‘Chelsea is as good, as talented, and as entertaining as anyone we have.’

But of course, that never saw the light of day. It was left on the cutting room floor because if you’re going to make me a heel, the best way to do it is to say she’s not good enough. That’s not what I was saying.

The WWE producer, however, doubled down on what he said while claiming that his comments were about her role and not her in-ring ability.

I don’t regret what I said because her role at the time — and even right now — is not the top role. It’s to help make other people. And as you know, we’re always only as good as the people who help make us.

Now, with that said, if Chelsea caught fire because of the following and support she has, we’d go with that in a heartbeat. Look at Daniel Bryan. Look at Kofi Kingston. When they caught fire, we went with it — whether some people at the top agreed or not, we went with it.

We’re not there with Chelsea. And I feel that the people who support Chelsea now — if we started pushing her — they’d fade, because she’d be getting the push from the machine. And if she’s getting the push from the machine, then she doesn’t need my help. Intricately, I feel that fans love it when they know their support makes a difference and can change a career.

Chelsea is amazingly talented and entertaining. She can handle anything. But that’s the role she’s in right now — and not necessarily her fault. To her credit, she knows her role, and she plays it with a smile. [H/T: Ringside News]

Also read: Chelsea Green Shares Positive Injury Update Amid WWE In-Ring Absence