Booker T has joined fans in expressing their frustration at Gable Steveson.
Olympic gold medalist Steveson finally made his WWE in-ring debut at the NXT Great American Bash despite signing with the company back in 2021 and being drafted to Raw later that year.
Despite being presented as a babyface in his match with Baron Corbin, Steveson was booed heavily as the fans chanted support for his opponent. Many fans are already disillusioned with Steveson as he’s talked up what he’s going to do with WWE, while also continuing to wrestle as an amateur.
Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, NXT announcer Booker T admitted he’s also “on the fence” with the young star. The former World Champion said that Steveson’s half-in-half-out approach to WWE so far in his career won’t help with fans.
“They booed that boy out of the building. Baron was a big babyface. I’m on the fence with this kid, Gable Steveson. I’m not bought in. If I was jury, the verdict would still be out. The kid, he’s got one foot in, he’s got one foot out. These fans, they are rabid. They want to know if you’re here to stay, man. They ain’t looking for no part-timers. We ain’t looking for guys that just want to hang around and look good. No, you gotta get in there and show me something, son. You know what, you better do it quick,”
Ever since Steveson signed with WWE there’s been comparisons with Kurt Angle, who also won an Olympic gold medal, but went on to become one of the greatest professional wrestlers in history.
Booker dismissed the comparison, commenting that Angle threw himself into being a professional wrestler, something Steveson hasn’t done — yet. Although the WWE Hall of Famer did explain that he understands why.
“Well, he ain’t no Kurt Angle [laughs]. Kurt Angle came in, and he was willing to really fall in and dive into learning this business. Not that Gable Steveson isn’t, but I really think Gable Steveson has some unfinished business still left in the amateurs, I think he got unfinished business in the Olympics. That right there, that’s a legacy in itself. For him to be a two-time Olympic gold medalist, come on. That’s the Wheaties box. He’s never got to do nothing ever again in his life. So I understand,”
In the same episode of his podcast, Booker T discussed his support of intergender spots in wrestling.
Is Gable Steveson Staying With WWE?
Steveson’s match with Baron Corbin ended in a double count-out, something that also didn’t sit well with the NXT faithful. But fans wondering whether this will start a full-time run for the star with the brand might have to wait a little longer.
It was recently reported that WWE has “no idea” what comes next for Gable Steveson, and is unsure whether he’ll be heading to the amateur World Championships in September.
H/t to Fightful