Michael Hayes, WWE’s Vice President of Creative Writing and Booking, says Triple H has identified Bobby Roode as the person he wants groomed to eventually take over Hayes’ role within the company. Hayes revealed the conversation during an appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast.
According to Hayes, Triple H approached him directly and asked him to mentor Roode so that Roode could one day step into the position Hayes currently holds. Hayes has worked for years in a backstage creative capacity for WWE, helping shape storylines and character work, and his conversation with Triple H suggests the company is actively planning for continuity in that department rather than leaving the transition to chance.
Hayes also used the podcast appearance to discuss his own career positioning within WWE, telling Stephanie McMahon about his preference to be viewed as the heel figure behind the scenes. That context framed the broader discussion of how Triple H sees Roode fitting into a similar role going forward, with Hayes effectively being tasked as the one to pass along the institutional knowledge that comes with the job.
Bobby Roode, a former NXT Champion and veteran performer who has spent years both in the ring and increasingly behind the scenes in WWE, would represent a natural extension of Hayes’ influence if the plan outlined by Hayes comes to fruition. Hayes did not provide a timeline for when such a transition might take place, and WWE has not issued its own statement confirming succession plans for the creative writing and booking position.
The remarks arrived through Stephanie McMahon’s podcast platform, which has increasingly served as a venue for current and former WWE figures to discuss behind-the-scenes operations of the company. Hayes’ comments offer a rare glimpse into how WWE’s creative leadership, under Triple H’s direction as Chief Content Officer, is approaching long-term planning for key roles that shape weekly programming.
No further details were given regarding the scope of Roode’s current involvement in creative duties or when any formal handover might occur. The story was first reported by F4W Online and further covered by NoDQ, both citing Hayes’ comments from the podcast.
