Dot Net Exclusive: The latest on WWE Smackdown writer Michael Hayes, who is serving a 60-day suspension for using a racial slur

A well-placed source claims that Michael Hayes is being kept in the loop on creative issues via email while serving a 60-day suspension for using a racial slur during a conversation with Mark Henry at WrestleMania 24 weekend. Although Hayes defenders continue to state that he is not a racist, others say he uses racist language on a regular basis.

"You become numb to it," said a source who has worked closely with Hayes. "It goes from being 'holy shit' jaw-dropping to being an every day occurrence." A second source who has also worked with Hayes added, "It's not if there are more stories, it's how many hundreds of times people who have been exposed to him have heard him (use racist language)."

Powell's POV: I've spoken with multiple sources who share the opinion that the more outside pressure Vince McMahon gets to fire Hayes, the more likely he is to stand by him. That Hayes is still being updated via email would certainly seem to indicate that the company is planning to bring him back at some point. That could always change, but the betting line amongst the people I've spoken with is that he will return at some point.

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