WWE Vice President of Creative Writing and Booking Michael Hayes has revealed that Triple H personally identified Bobby Roode as someone he wants to develop into a major creative figure within the company.
During a recent appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, Hayes discussed his future in WWE and shared a conversation he had with Triple H about preparing the next generation of creative leadership.
According to Hayes, Triple H acknowledged that he would not be with the company forever and emphasized the importance of passing along his experience and knowledge to Roode. “I’ll tell you, Trips [Triple H] came up to me one day and he goes, ‘So, Michael, you know you’re not going to be around forever. You’re our Pat Patterson. I need you to make Bobby Roode, Michael.’”
Hayes explained that the conversation made him recognize the importance of helping Roode continue developing behind the scenes. “And I said, ‘Okay, that’s a really good point, because I’m not going to be here forever.’ And boy, has he come along. I see great things for him.”
The veteran WWE executive also offered some advice about the challenges of working in the wrestling industry, particularly learning to accept situations that are beyond an individual’s control. “He’s just got to get out of the stuff where—I don’t know how to really categorize this—stuff happens in this industry that’s just out of your control, and you’re just going to have to kind of let it go.”
Triple H’s comparison of Hayes to the late Pat Patterson is particularly significant given Patterson’s longstanding influence on WWE’s creative direction and match planning.
Hayes’ comments suggest that Triple H sees similar long-term potential in Roode and wants him to benefit from the veteran executive’s experience.
While the conversation indicates that Roode is being groomed for greater creative responsibilities, Hayes did not announce a retirement date or confirm that Roode has been formally designated as his successor.
For now, Hayes remains in his executive role, while Roode continues developing his behind-the-scenes career with WWE.
