Booker T Names One Thing Missing From Modern Wrestling

Booker T thinks he had something that today’s wrestlers lack.

It’s often said that professional wrestling is as much about what a performer does outside the ring, as what they do when the bell rings.

Throughout the history of the business, several wrestlers have excelled largely because of their character work, with their skills in the ring very much in second place. This character development often takes place in vignettes, with the very best remaining popular among fans for decades.

During a special Patreon Q&A with The Undertaker, Booker T discussed some of his favourite vignettes, and his work with The Boogyman. The WWE Hall of Famer said that for his segments with the spooky star to be successful, he needed to be able to laugh at himself.

“Being able to really, really make The Boogeyman something special. You gotta really be all in. You gotta know how to laugh at yourself. For me, I’ve always been able to laugh at myself. I’ve always been able to put myself in that mode to where I’m the scariest person in the room.

I used to love watching the Three Stooges, and they were the best at laughing at themselves, putting themselves in a position to entertain you for that person you’re working with.

So, for me, I think some of the highlight vignettes would be with The Boogeyman and Sharmell, where she’s on a bed of worms, and I got to come in and save her, but I’m too scared to come in and do it.”

Undertaker went on to praise Booker for his work with Goldust during the second half of 2002 and into 2003. The oddball team quickly became beloved by fans with Booker playing the ‘straight man’ contrasted against The Bizarre One, and they eventually won the World Tag Team Titles.

In response to the praise from ‘Taker, Booker explained that modern wrestlers aren’t as good actors as stars from years gone by, and that prevents them from going up a level.

“That’s the beauty of it. That’s the one thing I always talk about back then, too. Not only were we good wrestlers and entertainers, we were really good actors.

I think that’s one thing that’s missing from the business, too, the acting ability of the young guys, trying to get them to that point and understand that you’re going to really have to be able to do that part very, very well if you want to make it to the next level.”

Booker T Has New Partnership With WWE

On October 29th, WWE announced the creation of its new WWE ID program. The initiative will build on the company’s existing NIL program which was launched back in 2021 to identify the next generation of Superstars.

WWE ID aims to create a pathway from the independent scene to the sports entertainment giant, with accredited athletes being given access to the company’s facilities and coaches. In order to do this, WWE is partnering with several wrestling schools including Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling, Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy, and Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory.

H/t to Fightful