Booker T has clarified telling female wrestlers to “never lose their sex appeal.”
The six-time World Champion made the comments during a recent edition of his Hall of Fame podcast when discussing his opinion on Lacey Evans’ controversial new look.
On the latest edition of the podcast, he gave more detail on why he made the remarks.
First, he explained that the pro wrestling business is about more than just what happens in the confines of the ring.
“Let me just get this straight, [this business], it’s not just about wrestling. Wrestling is a part of it, but becoming a star — I’ve known a boatload of great wrestlers, guys that could wrap circles around me from a wrestling perspective, but that’s not what this thing is really all about.”
“It’s about entertaining the fans, making the fans feel a certain way, taking them on a journey that they’re going to remember for the rest of their life […] It’s got so much more to do with it than just getting in the ring and wrestling.
“And if you think that way you’re going to be bruised, beat up, battered, and torn by the time your career is over with, and you’re going to have no money.”
He went on to give the example of onscreen wrestling weddings, which rarely go right.
“It’s always been about the drama. How many times have we seen a wedding at one of the pay-per-views? It always goes to hell.”
“That’s part of professional wrestling, so it’s not just about wrestling.”
Booker T addresses “sex appeal” comment
When it comes to the controversy his “sex appeal” comment caused, Booker says it was all “spin” from people who aren’t involved in show business.
“People that try to spin it they’ve never been in the business before, they’ve never made money in this business.
“They’ve probably never been in any form of Show Business entertainment, so I don’t put a whole lot of stock or weight into what people say when I do make a comment like that.”
On the theme of showbiz, he spoke about how singers with sex appeal are more popular than those without, before asking if anyone could name one female at the “top level” that didn’t have sex appeal.
“Name me one female that has made it to the top level that didn’t have sex appeal. Just name me one. Can you?”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the above transcription.