To one generation, he's Michael Hayes, to another, he's Dok Hendrix.
Michael Hayes underwent a name change in the mid 90s when he headed to WWF (now WWE), and participated in numerous shows and PPVs as a host. When NXT revived the In Your House brand for the first time in over two decades, Johnny Gargano paid homage to Dok Hendrix.
That. Is. AMAZING! @JohnnyGargano leaves his house, walking past a framed picture of Dok Hendrix!! So many incredible little touches on this show. Love it!! #NXTTakeOver #InYourHouse pic.twitter.com/n80hw7c4QK
— Gorilla Position (@WWEGP) June 7, 2020
A portrait of Dok Hendrix was shown on screen at Gargano's house. Hours later, Triple H participated in a media call and said that Hayed "loudly" declined reprising the role. Gargano told Fightful that Hayes had no idea any of this was going down.
"He did not know that was going to happen. I remember I saw him -- I took pictures in the gear I was wearing In Your House at the PC a couple days after In Your House, I was putting my gear on and all of a sudden I just hear footsteps and a cane. Immediately when I hear the cane, I was like, 'I know who this is.' I look up and there he is; Michael PS Hayes. 'I saw that picture! I saw what you did!' 'I had to represent you somehow! We needed Dok Hendrix at In Your House!' He walked away. I told him it was out of love. In canon, I live in the In Your House house, so of course Dok Hendrix would be represented there," Gargano told Fightful.
In Your House is back for NXT on Sunday, June 13 on the WWE Network on Peacock, and it will be hosted by Todd Pettengill, who was a mainstay of the brand in the 1990s. Growing up a wrestling fan in that time period, Gargano is excited to see it happen and wants even more nostalgic elements added to the show.
"I did a watch along with him. Me and Matt Camp were losing our minds because it's Todd Pettengill. I have interacted with him a little bit and I'm super excited for what he does at In Your House. Having Todd there is the final chef kiss on the throwback vibe. I want to get Milton Bradley Karate Fighters for this. I want to bring that back. I tried to give away a house last year, but in my research, the house they gave away is a Taco Bell now in Orlando. Maybe we'll do a sponsorship with them," Gargano said.
You can see our full interview with Johnny Gargano at the top of the page, and see his match with Bronson Reed from Tuesday on the WWE Network on Peacock. You can see NXT Takeover: In Your House Sunday, June 13 on Peacock as well. Fightful Select broke news of the event and date last week.
