Booker T gave his thoughts on various topics on his latest Hall Of Fame podcast.
During it, the WWE Hall Of Famer talked about Sami Zayn winning the Gauntlet Match on Monday’s WWE RAW to earn a shot at Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40.
Booker T said that Zayn was legitimately upset with fans wanting Chad Gable to win instead. He said,
“I talked to Sami Zayn actually on Tuesday morning. We were flying to Orlando and we were sitting next to each other on the plane. And I swear, the same thing like you just said, so many people was pulling for Chad Gable in that match and Sami, I said, ‘Man, you know, what a match, man.’ I said, ‘What a match! You’re gonna look back on this one day and say that was the one, that was the one that catapulted me to the next level, that was the one that put me in the light and let people see exactly what I can do.’”
“He was so literally upset about the online heat that he got from the fans. He’s like, ‘Man, I thought the fans love me. And then next thing you know, I see all this stuff.’ I say, ‘Man, you can’t listen to that white noise. You gotta think about how great that match was, and you’re gonna look back on it one day and say: ‘Man, that was some really, really good work that I did.’ But he still, like I said, was feeling that heat. He let someone down just because the fans didn’t think the match was as good as, you know. I thought it was.”
In a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T shared his thoughts on various topics, including Sami Zayn’s victory in the Gauntlet Match on Monday’s WWE RAW. Zayn’s win earned him a shot at Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40.
During the podcast, Booker T revealed that Zayn was genuinely upset with fans who were rooting for Chad Gable instead. Booker T had a conversation with Zayn on their flight to Orlando, where they sat next to each other. He commended Zayn on his performance in the match and told him that it would be a defining moment in his career.
Booker T quoted his conversation with Zayn, saying, “What a match! You’re gonna look back on this one day and say that was the one, that was the one that catapulted me to the next level, that was the one that put me in the light and let people see exactly what I can do.” However, Zayn expressed his disappointment over the online backlash he received from fans.
Zayn was taken aback by the negative comments and said, “Man, I thought the fans love me. And then next thing you know, I see all this stuff.” Booker T advised him not to pay attention to the criticism and focus on the fact that it was a great match. He reassured Zayn that he would look back on it one day and appreciate the excellent work he did.
The conversation between Booker T and Zayn highlights the emotional toll that online criticism can have on professional wrestlers. Despite putting on an impressive performance, Zayn felt like he had let someone down because fans didn’t think the match was as good as he believed it to be.
The incident serves as a reminder that fans’ opinions can sometimes be harsh and not always reflective of the true quality of a match. Wrestlers need to develop a thick skin and not let the “white noise” of negative comments affect their self-esteem or perception of their work.
Booker T’s advice to Zayn is valuable for anyone facing criticism or negativity in their careers. It’s essential to focus on the positive aspects and the effort put into the work rather than getting caught up in the opinions of others.
Overall, this podcast episode sheds light on the challenges wrestlers face when dealing with online criticism and emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidence in one’s abilities. It serves as a reminder that success should be measured by personal growth and the satisfaction of a job well done, rather than seeking validation from external sources.