Booker T – “Aleister Black Was A Guy That Didn’t Set Himself Apart”
Two-time WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T has given his thoughts on recently released WWE star Aleister Black, saying that the smoke and mirrors of his gimmick weren’t enough to get over.
Black was one of six WWE Superstars released from the company on the 2nd of June. As well as Black, former WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman, Lana, Ruby Riott, Buddy Murphy, and Santana Garrett were all let from their contracts.
Speaking on his Hall Of Fame podcast, the former five-time WCW Champion Booker T gave his thoughts on Black:
“You can’t give a guy intro, give him a black gimmick, a dark robe, and go out there and become a star. You know you put him on that thing [mimicks Aleister Black’s entrance]. The thing is, it did look cool. But understand, you just can’t get that gimmick and think because of the smoke and mirrors, you’re going to go out there and get over.”
“Aleister Black is a good worker, but I’m looking for [a] guy that’s ‘talent’. I’m looking for [a] guy that’s going to go out and do things totally different than everybody else on the roster. Aleister Black had his MMA get-up, his kung fu, karate, Black Mass for the finisher. I get it. But, for me, Aleister Black was a guy that didn’t set himself apart from the rest of the guys in the locker room.”
Aleister Black had an impressive run on NXT when he joined the black and gold brand in 2016. He engaged in a memorable feud with Velveteen Dream before embarking on his quest to become NXT Champion. Black claimed the gold by defeating Andrade at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans in April 2018. He held that title for three months before losing it to Tommaso Ciampa on NXT TV.