WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T has responded to criticism aimed at WWE after Jackass star Johnny Knoxville declared himself for the Royal Rumble match.
2021 was a wild year for professional wrestling and it appears that 2022 is wasting no time in picking up the baton. Taking to social media, Jackass star Johnny Knoxville has declared his intention to enter the upcoming Royal Rumble. Not only that, the 50-year-old Tennessee native took some shots at Roman Reigns and Big E in the process.
In the clip posted on Instagram, Knoxville said that he wanted to start the new year off by “kicking ass and taking names.” He went on to explain that he would channel his wrestling heroes The Rock, Abdullah the Butcher and Gorilla Monsoon to give himself the best chance of victory.
Speaking on his Hall Of Fame podcast, Booker T discussed Knoxville potentially taking part in the Royal Rumble and thinks Knoxville’s star power makes it worth it:
“I do not care about Johnny Knoxville wanting to be in the Royal Rumble. I don’t know why people are in an uproar about it, it’s the Rumble. It’s pro wrestling, let’s have some fun more than anything. Someone like Johnny Knoxville, star power being at the Royal Rumble.”
“Even him just saying he’s going to be in the Rumble, or declaring himself as a participant in the Royal Rumble. I hope a whole lot of other stars do the exact same thing.”
The five-time WCW Champion then responded to criticism from some quarters that Knoxville was taking a full-time WWE Superstar’s “spot” in the showpiece match, something that Booker T doesn’t believe is a valid reproval:
“I really don’t know what that means. ‘Taking somebody’s spot.’ Well, what does that really mean, and if they can explain it? Taking somebody’s spot as far as, they’re not going to get a cheque? Taking somebody’s spot as far as that guy is not getting the spotlight tonight.”
“Because let’s say, for instance, that person, that spot that’s not in the Rumble. Let’s say for instance they put him in a spot somewhere else and they put Johnny Knoxville in the Rumble. Johnny Knoxville brings more eyes to the show. Back in the day, we thought that was good because the more eyes on the show, the bigger our cheque was at the end of that night. I’m really not sure how it is today.”
“My thing is this, there’s 30 spots, okay. Whose spot is it? What guy? Are we talking about one of the NXT guys or what? I’m trying to figure this out because there’s only 30 guys that can be in this thing.”