On a recent edition of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T discussed Elias’ recent firing from WWE and compared him to The Honky Tonk Man.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Elias’ WWE release: “You know, I liked Elias. He’s the guy that I really thought had something unique, special, different than just about everybody on the roster. He was a multi-talented guy who of course was a wrestler, but loved the performance side of it. As far as him being able to sing and play that guitar, I really thought that was his meal ticket. I thought that was his bread and butter that really could have taken him to the superstar level. But I think he really was caught in between trying to be the wrestler and then just going out there and doing the music as a segment, and not really leaning into the music as the source. I didn’t know Elias before he became Elias and was working in the WWE as that character or anything like that. I don’t know him from a personal standpoint or anything, but if he can still tap into his music, I think his career is definitely something that he can create and make of his own.”
On comparisons between Elias and Honky Tonk Man: “The Honky Tonk Man, he could work. People could say whatever the hell they want to say about the Honky Tonk Man, ‘He didn’t do this, he didn’t do that.’ That dude could work. He was one of the best workers that this business has ever produced. And that’s just going out there and making those fans feel a certain way. Bottom line, that’s it. So that’s the difference. Elias was no Honky Tonk Man in the middle of that square circle. And I think that’s where you got to be good at. He didn’t have to do a whole lot, but he had to be good at it. Honky Tonk Man, he didn’t do a whole lot, but he was good at what he did. And he made everybody that he worked look extra special. So, I think that was the difference between those two characters. We got a real chance to see his work in the ring when he was Ezekiel.
On whether he thought the Ezekiel gimmick would save Elias’ career: “We got a chance to actually see him get in the ring and work. We didn’t get a chance to see Elias’ work. We got a chance to see Ezekiel’s work, and then the work has to be equal or better. The wrestling didn’t live up to the character that it could have been in order to really get what we need to get out of not just the lives but guys that he goes out there and works with.”
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Former WWE superstar Elias has recently been released from the company, and wrestling legend Booker T has weighed in on the situation. In a recent episode of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T discussed Elias’ firing and compared him to another iconic wrestler, The Honky Tonk Man.
Booker T expressed his admiration for Elias, stating that he believed the wrestler had something unique and special that set him apart from others on the roster. He particularly praised Elias’ musical talents, noting that his ability to sing and play the guitar could have taken him to the superstar level. However, Booker T also felt that Elias struggled to find the right balance between being a wrestler and focusing on his music. He believed that Elias should have leaned more into his musical persona and made it the centerpiece of his character.
Drawing a comparison to The Honky Tonk Man, Booker T highlighted the importance of being a skilled worker in the ring. He acknowledged that while The Honky Tonk Man may not have been the most physically demanding wrestler, he was exceptional at making fans feel a certain way. According to Booker T, The Honky Tonk Man’s ability to make his opponents look extra special was what set him apart. In contrast, Booker T felt that Elias didn’t showcase the same level of skill in the ring.
Booker T also mentioned that he had seen Elias’ work prior to his WWE stint when he portrayed the character Ezekiel. He believed that Elias’ wrestling abilities didn’t live up to the potential of his character, which ultimately affected his career.
While Booker T acknowledged Elias’ talent and potential, he emphasized the importance of delivering in the ring. To succeed in the wrestling industry, a performer must not only have a compelling character but also be able to deliver exciting matches that captivate the audience.
Elias’ release from WWE has undoubtedly left fans wondering about his future in the wrestling world. However, Booker T believes that if Elias can tap into his musical talents and focus on creating a unique career for himself, he has the potential to thrive outside of WWE.
As wrestling fans eagerly await Elias’ next move, they can stay updated on all the latest wrestling news on eWrestlingNews.com. Additionally, they can follow eWrestlingNews on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates and engaging content.