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”Michael’s on his way out.”
Fritz told me face-to-face. He was referring to Michael Hayes, one half of the Fabulous Freebirds.
”You know, Michael and I have a good relationship. He’s been good to me. I been good to him. And you know, the whole Freebird and Von Erich thing, you know you can’t do that forever.” Fritz continued.
”And Vince is paying him good.” I added.
”Yes, likely very good.” He concluded.
”Damnit!” I said, clenching my fist. Hayes was a brilliant performer and a huge name in World Class. I was going to rely on him to carry a lot of the backbone of the roster, but now my plans had to change. Probably not the first time I was going to have this feeling, but at least it was early enough. And where did that leave his partner-in-crime, Terry Gordy? Fritz and I soon gave Terry the call, one he was probably expecting. Terry was friendly and honest. Yes, he would accept an offer from Vince, but no, there was not one on the table. But had Terry, at this point, also ran his course? That was a question I would have to figure out, but at this point, I guess I was blessed to say Hayes was all Vince had targeted.
The World Wrestling Federation was on a massive hiring spree, it was hard to even keep up with the news. Terry Funk, Rick Martel, The Road Warriors, Jimmy Garvin, Ron Garvin, and others. Some names I would have loved to bring in… Also newsworthy was the announcement of Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody both signing written deals with New Japan Pro Wrestling, and went on to win the tag titles in their first match together.
The WWF was making moves in the market, Jim Crockett Promotions was situating themselves internally. It’s become evident that Ric Flair is going to be the company’s figurehead moving forward, and will immediately enter a program with Dory Funk Jr. Also being pit together, Dusty Rhodes and Manny Fernandez against The Koloffs, as well as “Superstar” Billy Graham going into a program with up-and-comer Magnum T.A.
Meanwhile, I was dealing with more backstage troubles. Buck Zumhofe brought some outsiders to a few shows this week, and to say they were questionable individuals would be an understatement. I gave him a stern warning personally to try to give myself some rep in the locker room, and it seems to have gone over well. Iceman King Parsons failed to show up to a meeting with a road agent, receiving an earful from Fritz, and that was even after he got into a fight and clocked Tom Zenk pretty good in the locker room.
Speaking of Fritz, Mike Von Erich missed a road agent meeting, for the third time in two weeks. I made a ballsy move and decided to dock Mike’s pay, which received serious criticism from Fritz and the rest of his boys. In retrospect, probably not a good call to make two weeks on the job, but at least it’s helped me see where the line may be and when not to cross it… Alas, the road towards January Star Wars continues...