Mr. Hito
Back in Calgary by the end of the year, Hayes defeated Louis Laurence on December 29, 1978. Two days later, he would participate in a 20-man battle royal involving Big Daddy Ritter, Mr. Hito, Dynamite Kid, Mr. Sakurada, Norman Frederick Charles III, Louis Laurence, John Foley, Sandy Scott and the Hart brothers Keith, Bruce and Bret Hart. Defeating Norman Frederick Charles III on January 6, he would face Stampede North American Heavyweight Champion Big Daddy Ritter in several close matches and defeating Ritter by disqualification on January 26. Teaming with Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart, he also defeated Ritter and Hercules Ayala in a tag team match on February 9.