A Moment in Time: The Fabulous Freebirds Fly North To The WWF
Posted: Sep 5th 2024 By: Brian Damage - RingTheDamnBell.Wordpress.com
The year was 1984 and Vince McMahon had begun his ambitious national expansion of the World Wrestling Federation. McMahon and the then WWF were gobbling up all the smaller, weaker promotions and taking their top talents away. In the midst of his takeovers, McMahon also was bringing in mainstream talents like Cyndi Lauper to attract new viewers to his product.
In the late summer/early fall of 1984, the WWF signed a talented trio from down south. They consisted of Buddy Jack Roberts, Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes and they were known as The Fabulous Freebirds. They were an established team that began in 1979…in large part to the creative mind of “Cowboy” Bill Watts. They were mainstays of the southern territories including Mid South and World Class Championship Wrestling.
They seemed to be the perfect fit for creative direction the WWF was headed in at that time…The Rock N Wrestling Connection.
When the Freebirds made their in ring television debut…they were given music producer/manager David Wolff as their manager. They came out in sequined robes and original music produced by Michael Hayes himself.
It all seemed like a match made in heaven….but to quote Michael P.S. Hayes himself…“Heaven don’t want us and hell’s afraid we’ll take over!” There are numerous reasons why the trio didn’t last more than a hiccup in the WWF during that era. Some have said their partying lifestyles along with showing up late to shows angered WWF veterans. There was also word that Vince McMahon (Who was never a big fan of factions) wanted to split the trio up and market them individually. Instead of being separated, Hayes, Roberts and Gordy decided to pack up and head back south.
Michael Hayes wouldn’t return to the WWF until 1995…when he cut his hair and became an announcer named “Dok Hendrix.” Hayes remains with the WWE to this day.
His partner Terry Gordy…briefly returned in 1996 under a mask named “The Executioner.” Gordy passed away in 2001.
Buddy Roberts never again competed inside a WWE ring again as he remained with promotions like WCCW, AWA, UWF and WCW. Roberts was used for interviews for WWE produced documentaries. He passed away in 2012.
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