Booker T had to reign it in while doing commentary on Raw and SmackDown.
The former World Heavyweight Champion began his colour commentary career on the blue brand in 2011 and since then has been behind announce desks on Raw and at Premium Live Events as well as taking part in pre-show panels. Most recently, the star has joined Vic Joseph on the headset for NXT.
During a recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the WWE Hall of Famer compared his experience of working on main roster commentary and NXT, claiming the main difference is that on Raw and SmackDown he has to be “politically correct,” whereas on the developmental brand he gets to have more fun.
“You know what, I think that’s the difference. When I was on Raw, when I was a SmackDown, everything had to be politically correct.
“Of course, I had something in my ear. Sometimes you couldn’t be yourself. I find myself at NXT being kind of like I am here at Reality of Wrestling.
“You know, I’m throwing my clipboard. I’m having fun at the same time. With NXT, I can go out there and be serious, but then I can talk about you know, ‘shucky ducky quack quack,’ so it’s just all about having balance.”
Part of that balance is putting the spotlight on the up-and-coming stars of NXT.
“And trying to think about one thing first and foremost. And that’s the young guys, the talent and trying to put a spotlight on those guys. And hopefully give them the rub is something we talked about in the business.”
Who is on Booker T’s Mount Rushmore of wrestling?
While Booker T is happy to be behind the announce desk now, he also has decades of experience in the ring, having only hung up his boots in 2023. During the same interview with Chris Van Vliet, he spoke about the wrestlers who came before him and named his Mount Rushmore of pro wrestling.
According to Booker, it would need to include the likes of Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Hulk Hogan, and Roddy Piper.
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