Booker T isn't sold on Gable Steveson yet.
At NXT Great American Bash, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson made his WWE in-ring debut when he faced Baron Corbin. The match ended in a double count-out, and the live crowd booed the NXT newcomer.
Speaking on The Hall of Fame with Booker T and Brad Gilmore, the NXT commentator shared his thoughts on Steveson's first match and the way fans booed him. He stated that he's on the fence with Steveson. Booker T shared his belief that Steveson has one foot in and one foot out when it comes to wrestling.
“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," he said.
Gilmore brought up Kurt Angle, given his background as an Olympic gold medalist and star amateur wrestler. Booker T responded by saying that Steveson isn't Angle, and he highlighted the way Angle dove into learning the business. The WWE Hall of Famer again stated that Steveson has unfinished business outside of WWE.
“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," Booker T said.
Shawn Michaels recently discussing bringing Steveson into NXT. Click here to see what he had to say.
Check out Steveson's comments about his future in amateur wrestling here.
Check out the card for the August 1 episode of WWE NXT here. Fightful will have coverage of the show as it airs.
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